Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Berry Crunch

Please excuse the mess I created.

It's safe to say I am not the most proper when it comes to eating food. When I was REALLY little, we used to live in Arkansas. And, like anywhere else in the south, barbecue was king. Back when I used to eat meat, I was addicted to the stuff. I had (well technically I still do) very strong opinions about what sauces were best. I'll give you a hint: I love ANYTHING with a ton of vinegar. We used to go to this place (if you are ever in Little Rock, it's Sim's BBQ). And kids, let me tell you that the pork sandwiches at this place were amazing. Like jump out of your shirt amazing. Like angel singing your praises amazing.   

Even now, the BBQ addiction is real. 

The thing they do best there is a pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw on white bread. Yes, the white bread is essential. In purely scientific terms, the refined carbs make a perfect vehicle for the sauce. Yes I am that protective of my refined carbs in this case. Or actually of all carbs in general. Who doesn't love carbs? Witches, most definitely. Anyway, I was that kid who would eat this sandwich from the gods and have the sauce dripping all down my face. I would argue is there any other way to eat BBQ? There was no possible way to get the perfect bite of this sandwich, especially with the bread/sauce combo the texture of a soggy piece of paper. My mother, of course, would beg me to wipe my face. ​

But I was a little rebel back then. Now I am the ultimate square.

So as you can see, it is no wonder that I still to this day continue to struggle with eating *gracefully*. I mean, it doesn't mean I have drool and sauce dribbling all down my face like some rabid animal. But let us just say I have had one too many white shirts ruined with a dribble of grease/red sauce/berry juice/salad dressing. That's right: you name it, and I've spilled it. Which is no wonder why this jar of oats I'm sharing with you today LOOKS the way that it does. But like the sandwich from my youth, I can vouch for this bowl. When I was in college, I ate these overnight oats for a solid 2 months straight. They were easy to throw in my backpack to head to class. Not to mention they are SOOO darn good. Like eating banana pudding for breakfast. And like any good former Southerner, I'd kill for a good banana pudding. The berry crunch adds a hot mix to the cold oats, which makes them perfect for winter. It also add crunch to the creaminess of the oat. And I don't know about you, but anything hot and cold/crunchy and smoothed mixed together wins my heart. Cue the Katy Perry throwback.

Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Berry Crunch

Serves 1
Stuff
Oats:

• 1/2 ripe banana, sliced (brown spots preferred)
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon flax meal (or more chia seeds)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch cloves 
• pinch salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any other nondairy milk)

Berry Crunch:

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• pinch of freshly grated ginger (can sub dried ginger)
• 1/4 cup berries (I like raspberries or blackberries for this)
• 1 teaspoon raw pumpkin seeds
• couple of almonds, roughly chopped
• Additional toppings (nut butter and hemp seeds are PARTICULARLY clutch)

Meanderings:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, add the banana slices. Microwave for 30 seconds or until the banana starts to melt a little. Mash and add to a container (I like mason jars best)
2. In the same container as the banana, combine the rest of the ingredients of the overnight oats and stir until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The oats will last two days in the fridge.
3. When ready to eat the oats, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and honey and warm through. Add the berries and nuts and stir until the nuts are toasted and the berries begin to melt down, about 5 minutes. Take oats out of the fridge. Top with berry crunch and other additional toppings. 

​With the Katy throwback OF COURSE comes a bunch of neon, right?