Strawberry Banana Oats Walnuts (Print Version)

A creamy morning blend of oats, banana, strawberries, and walnuts for a wholesome start.

# Components:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Fruit & Add-ins

09 - 1 ripe banana, mashed
10 - 3/4 cup diced fresh strawberries
11 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

→ Toppings

12 - Additional sliced strawberries
13 - Banana slices
14 - Extra walnuts
15 - Honey or maple syrup for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl or mason jar, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
02 - Fold in the mashed banana, diced strawberries, and chopped walnuts. Mix gently to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
03 - Cover the bowl or jar and refrigerate overnight for at least 6 hours or up to 12 hours, allowing the oats to absorb the liquid and soften.
04 - In the morning, stir the oats thoroughly. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk to reach desired consistency.
05 - Divide the prepared oats between two bowls or jars. Top with additional sliced strawberries, banana slices, walnuts, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero morning cooking means you can actually sit down with your coffee instead of rushing around your kitchen.
  • It tastes indulgent like banana bread but gives you real nutrition and protein to power through your day.
  • You can make two servings at once and grab one whenever you're running late, which has saved me more than once.
02 -
  • Don't use instant oats no matter how convenient they seem, because they'll turn into paste by morning and you'll end up scraping them out disappointed.
  • The banana must be ripe and soft or it won't mash into the mixture smoothly, and you'll have chunks that feel unpleasant when you're expecting creaminess.
  • If you're making this for someone with a dairy allergy, plant-based yogurt works perfectly, but check that your oats aren't processed in a facility with nuts if that's a concern.
03 -
  • If you're doubling the recipe for the week, use a quart-sized jar and divide it in the morning so the oats don't become too heavy and dense at the bottom.
  • Toasting your walnuts in a dry pan for two minutes before chopping them makes the nutty flavor pop and adds a layer of complexity that plain walnuts don't have.
Return