- These overnight oats deliver soluble fiber to support your gut health.
- Ripe banana and raisins add just the right amount of sweetness, no added sugar required.
- Make it ahead of time for a grab-and-go breakfast that’s ready when you are.
These No-Added-Sugar Cinnamon-Raisin Overnight Oats are reminiscent of a classic oatmeal cookie, packaged in a convenient on-the-go jar. A ripe banana and plump raisins provide natural sweetness, while almond butter, Greek yogurt and flaxseed add protein and staying power to keep you fueled through the morning. The best part? They’re make-ahead friendly—simply stir everything together at night, refrigerate and wake up to a ready-to-eat jar for meal-prep breakfasts for the week. Read on for tips and easy ingredient swaps below to make this recipe your own.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- The riper the banana, the sweeter and creamier your oats will be. Look for one with plenty of brown spots on the skin for the best results.
- For added texture and crunch, sprinkle on chopped nuts, toasted coconut or a drizzle of nut butter right before serving.
- The oats will thicken as they sit. If you prefer a thinner consistency, stir in a splash of milk before serving.
Nutrition Notes
- Rolled oats contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucans that can help lower LDL cholesterol, promote better blood sugar and help with weight management. Beta-glucans also have prebiotic benefits that feed healthy gut bacteria and reduce inflammation. While oats are naturally gluten-free, they can sometimes be contaminated with gluten during processing. If you’re following a gluten-free routine, be sure to purchase oats specifically labeled as gluten-free.
- Raisins are a dried fruit, which means they provide a more concentrated form of natural sugar for sweetness. Raisins also provide fiber for digestive, heart and metabolic health along with polyphenols that support gut bacteria.
- Bananas often don’t get the credit they deserve.This nutrient-rich fruit provides fiber, potassium and antioxidants. We love them paired up with the fiber-rich oats and high-protein whole-fat dairy sources in these overnight oats to slow digestion and keep blood sugar steady.
- Cinnamon adds a good amount of flavor to these oats, but did you know that cinnamon has also been shown to help manage blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity? The benefits keep coming—cinnamon can also help lower LDL cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation thanks to its antioxidant properties.
