My peanut butter banana overnight oats have 42g protein without a single scoop of protein powder. Prep takes 5 minutes the night before, and in the morning you top with sliced banana and an extra drizzle of peanut butter. I make five jars every Sunday and grab one on my way out the door all week.
These high protein overnight oats are all about the Greek yogurt!
Most overnight oats recipes hover around 8-12g protein — fine for a snack, not enough for a meal that keeps you full until lunch. This version has nearly three times that because of one change: half cup of Greek yogurt stirred into the base.
The chia seeds pull double duty. They absorb liquid overnight and create that thick, creamy texture you want, but they also add more protein plus fiber that keeps you satisfied for hours. Don’t skip them — they’re doing more work than you’d think.
Peanut butter goes both in the base and on top. Stirring 2 tablespoons into the oats before refrigerating distributes that flavor throughout. The drizzle on top in the morning is just for looks and an extra hit of richness. Make sure you stir the base well before refrigerating — peanut butter likes to clump at the bottom if you don’t mix it in completely.
No sweetener needed. The banana and peanut butter provide enough natural sweetness that adding honey or maple syrup would tip it over into dessert territory. If you have a serious sweet tooth, a drizzle of honey won’t hurt, but taste it first.
Key ingredients and why they matter
These overnight oats are perfect for busy mornings. All you need is old-fashioned rolled oats, Greek yogurt, milk, chia seeds, peanut butter, pepitas, and a banana for topping.
Full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the recipe card.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats give the best texture — thick enough to hold up overnight without turning to mush. Quick oats work but get mushier. Steel-cut oats won’t soften enough.
- Plain Greek yogurt is the protein secret. Half a cup adds a ton of protein and creates a creamy base without making the oats taste tangy. Use full-fat or 2% — nonfat works but the texture is less rich.
- Peanut butter goes in the base for flavor and on top for looks. Natural peanut butter gives cleaner ingredients; regular is sweeter. Either works.
- Chia seeds thicken the oats and add 3g protein. They need the overnight soak to soften properly — don’t skip them or add them in the morning.
- Pepitas add crunch and another 5g protein between the base and topping. Divided between mix-in and topping means you get texture throughout plus crunch on top.
- Banana on top adds natural sweetness and makes this feel like a complete breakfast. Slice it fresh in the morning so it doesn’t brown.
- Add your favorite toppings like almonds, chopped peanuts, cinnamon, cacao nibs, or fresh berries.
TIPS & TRICKS
Shruthi’s top tips
- Stir the peanut butter in completely. It clumps at the bottom if you don’t mix it well. Spend an extra 30 seconds stirring.
- Add milk in the morning if too thick. The oats absorb liquid overnight and can get dense. A splash loosens them up.
- Make the base ahead, add toppings fresh. The oat base keeps 4 days; add banana, peanut butter drizzle, and pepitas when you’re ready to eat.
- Eat cold or warm. Straight from the fridge is classic, but microwaving 1-2 minutes makes it taste like oatmeal.
How to make peanut butter overnight oats
- In a mason jar or bowl, add oats, Greek yogurt, milk, peanut butter, chia seeds, and pepitas.
- Stir well until the peanut butter is fully incorporated and everything is combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to eat, stir the oat mixture. Top with sliced bananas, drizzle with peanut butter, and scatter pepitas over the top. Eat cold or microwave for 1-2 minutes if you prefer warm oats.
How to serve Greek yogurt overnight oats
This is a complete breakfast on its own! For extra fruit, add fresh berry compote on top. Pack with a hard-boiled egg on the side if you’re fueling a serious workout.
Variations:
- Chocolate peanut butter: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the base.
- Extra banana: Mash half a banana into the base for more banana flavor and natural sweetness.
- Nut-free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter; use sunflower seeds instead of pepitas.
- Dairy-free: Use coconut yogurt and oat milk — protein will be lower (around 18-20g) but still solid.
- Crunch boost: Add granola on top just before serving.
Storage and reheating suggestions
Store the oat base in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the toppings separate until serving. Freezing is not recommended because the texture becomes gummy. Add the banana, peanut butter, and pepitas right before eating for the best texture.
For meal prep, make several jars at the start of the week so you can grab one each morning and add toppings, and eat on your commute.
More high protein breakfast recipes
For even more healthy breakfast recipes to try, take a look at these.
Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins
Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese
Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadilla
Tofu Bhurji
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients
For the oats:
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon pepitas
For topping:
- 1 medium banana, sliced
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter, for drizzle
- 1 tablespoon pepitas
Instructions
- In a jar or container, add oats, Greek yogurt, milk, peanut butter, chia seeds, and pepitas. Stir well until the peanut butter is fully incorporated and everything is combined.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to eat, stir the oats. Top with sliced banana, drizzle with peanut butter, and scatter pepitas over the top. Eat cold or microwave for 1-2 minutes if you prefer warm oats.
Notes
- Stir the peanut butter thoroughly before refrigerating to avoid clumps.
- The oats will thicken overnight; add a splash of milk in the morning if you prefer a looser consistency.
- Use natural peanut butter for cleaner ingredients, or regular for sweeter flavor.
- Refrigerate in an airtight jar up to 4 days (without toppings). Add fresh toppings before serving.
- Prep 4-5 jars on Sunday for the whole work week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
