Bananas, walnuts, and chocolate in every delicious bite of creamy oats. You're going to love this chunky monkey overnight oats recipe!
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you’ll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
When you think of chunky monkey flavors you may think of ice cream desserts but now you can get those same flavors for breakfast with this chunky monkey recipe.
Surprisingly this is my daughter's favorite overnight oats recipe (probably because of the chocolate). But all of the ingredients work so well together to create a sweet and savory combination of flavors in every bite.
For more oatmeal breakfast ideas, check out these How to Make Overnight Oats and try these Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats.
Jump to:
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make! You don't need much to make these chunky monkey oats and the prep time is less than 10 minutes, making them incredibly quick to stir together. The hardest part is having the patience.
- It's an affordable breakfast option. This recipe costs about $1 to make and can be divided into 2 smaller servings if desired. That's the greatest thing about recipes like these oats and our Birthday Cake Overnight Oats, they're affordable and filling!
- It's ready when you are. Making this overnight chunky monkey recipe means that a few minutes spent at night will give you a breakfast that's ready to eat as soon as you wake up. Just add some toppings and a spoon.
🛒 Ingredients
Old fashioned oats - The base of the recipe; they soften overnight without cooking. You can use up more oats in our Oreo Overnight Oats and Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats recipes.
Chocolate chips - Semi-sweet works best to keep the oats from becoming overly sweet, but milk or dark chocolate is fine too.
Walnuts - Add a subtle crunch and nutty flavor.
Banana - Use a ripe banana for natural sweetness; slice it fresh before serving so it doesn't brown.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Oats. Old-fashioned oats work best, but steel-cut or quick-cook steel-cut oats can be used for a chewier texture.
Milk. Any milk works, including whole, low-fat, almond, coconut, oat, or even water in a pinch.
Sweetener. Honey, maple syrup, agave, or your preferred sweetener all work well here.
Yogurt. Use any plain or flavored yogurt. If omitting yogurt, add ¼ cup extra milk.
Flavor Add-Ins. Try adding cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a small spoonful of peanut butter for a richer chunky monkey flavor.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store brands. Store-brand oats, yogurt, milk, and chocolate chips often taste the same at a lower price.
Buy discounted bananas. Ripe or markdown bananas work perfectly and mash easily into the oats.
Portion smart. These oats are very filling. One batch can often make two smaller breakfasts.
Prep multiple jars. Making several at once prevents food waste and saves money on rushed morning meals.
🥄 Instructions for Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats
Step 1: Whisk together the milk, yogurt, vanilla, salt, and maple syrup in a bowl until blended.
Step 2: Stir in the chia seeds, if using.
Step 3: Stir in the oats and mix until combined.
Step 4: Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts until combined.
Step 5: Pour the oat mixture into a sealed container and place it into the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Step 6: In the morning, add more milk to adjust the thick oat mixture to your liking (or eat it thick).
Top with walnuts, chocolate chips, and sliced banana. Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Bananas. Add bananas just before serving to keep them from browning. A quick dip in lemon or pineapple juice helps too, though it may slightly affect flavor.
- Chia seeds. Optional, but they help thicken the oats. If the mixture gets too thick, stir in a splash of milk.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days, making them ideal for weekly prep.
Make Ahead: You can eat them right away, but they're chewier. For the best texture, let them rest 4-6 hours or overnight so the oats can fully absorb the liquid.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
These Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats pair well with fresh berries, a hard-boiled egg, or a slice of toast for added protein. They're also great with coffee, a small smoothie, or a light fruit cup for a fuller breakfast.
- Strawberry Blueberry Fruit SaladRecipe $3.35 / Serving $0.84
- Sheet Pan French Toast BreakfastRecipe $1.59 / Serving $0.80
- Breakfast Banana SplitRecipe $1.78 / Serving $0.89
- Pineapple Watermelon Banana SmoothieRecipe $2.20 / Serving $1.10
❓ Recipe FAQs
Made with Greek yogurt, fresh bananas, and nuts, this recipe is packed with protein, and natural sweeteners, and is much more filling than a bowl of cereal.
Yes, overnight oats are mostly served and eaten cold, which is honestly more delicious than you would think. The cold oats are especially inviting on a warm day.
Yes, these oats can go bad after being in the fridge too long. For best results, we recommend eating them within 5 days.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bread PuddingRecipe $3.40 / Serving $0.43
- Muffin Mix PancakesRecipe $1.40 / Serving $0.14
- Air Fryer Frozen WafflesRecipe $1.07 / Serving $0.54
- Muffin Mix French ToastRecipe $2.52 / Serving $0.63
🐝 If you tried these Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk - ($0.05)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt - ($0.32)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.02)
- 1 pinch salt - ($0.01)
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup - ($0.04)
- ½ teaspoon chia seeds, optional - ($0.02)
- ¾ cups old fashioned oats - ($0.09)
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips - ($0.07)
- 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped - ($0.23)
- ½ ripe banana, sliced - ($0.13)
Instructions
- Mix Base. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, salt, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Add Oats. Stir in the chia seeds if using, then mix in the oats until evenly combined.
- Mix Ins. Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
- Chill. Transfer the mixture to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Serve. Stir well and add additional milk if needed to adjust consistency. Top with sliced banana before serving.
Notes
- Oats. Old fashioned oats work best for texture.
- Milk Options. Any dairy or nondairy milk works.
- Sweeteners. Honey or agave can be used in place of maple syrup.
- Texture. Chia seeds absorb liquid and thicken the oats. Add more milk as needed.
- Storage. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Best texture after 4 to 6 hours.
Nutritional Information
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we'll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you'll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
Comments
No Comments