Chunky Monkey Protein Overnight Oats (Printable version)

Creamy banana-chocolate oats with peanut butter and protein boost

# Needed ingredients:

→ Oats & Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 1 small ripe banana, mashed
05 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds

→ Protein & Flavor

06 - 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
07 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
08 - 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter

→ Sweetener & Add-Ins

09 - 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
10 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - Pinch of salt
12 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
13 - 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips

# How to make it:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt, mashed banana, and chia seeds. Mix thoroughly until well integrated.
02 - Add chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir continuously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and no lumps remain.
03 - Gently fold chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips into the mixture until evenly distributed.
04 - Divide mixture evenly between two jars or airtight containers. Cover securely and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours, allowing oats to soften and flavors to develop.
05 - In the morning, stir the oats thoroughly and add a splash of milk if needed to reach desired consistency. Top with extra banana slices, walnuts, or chocolate chips if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • You prep it in 10 minutes but feel like you made something way more complicated come morning.
  • The protein keeps you genuinely full until lunch, no mid-morning crash or reaching for snacks.
  • It tastes like dessert—chocolate, peanut butter, banana—but your muscles actually thank you for it.
  • No morning rush means you can actually sit down and eat something beautiful instead of scarfing down a protein bar in the car.
02 -
  • Don't use a protein powder with added sweeteners unless you're already sweet-toothed, because the banana and peanut butter will push it over the edge into dessert territory.
  • The magic happens during that overnight chill—the chia seeds thicken everything to the perfect consistency, so skipping the wait time means a thinner, less satisfying breakfast.
  • Stir it really well when combining the dry ingredients or you'll end up with protein powder pockets that taste like cardboard; a whisk makes this way easier.
03 -
  • Use a whisk instead of a spoon when mixing in the protein powder—it breaks up clumps way faster and prevents that gritty texture that ruins everything.
  • If you're not a morning person and forget to stir before eating, run the unopened jar under warm water for 30 seconds to loosen things up, then shake it like you mean it.
  • Make them in wide-mouth mason jars so you can actually use a spoon without feeling like you're digging for treasure at the bottom.
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