Wake up to comfort food.
There are two types of people in this world… Those who hop out of bed and love to enjoy the early AM hours, and those who like to snooze until the last minute and grab their pre-made jar of apple cinnamon overnight oats from the refrigerator.
On most mornings, I am the first type of person, but then there are those when I am definitely the latter.
I have made everything from Strawberry Overnight Oats and Blueberry Overnight Oats to Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats, and now my newest favorite… these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
It is so simple to mix up the crispy apples, natural sweetener, milk of your choice, and rolled oats the night before. Then grab them from the fridge the next day.
That’s one less thing to worry about on busy mornings!
Be sure to check out How to Make Overnight Oats to completely personalize this with your favorite add-ins.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Optional add-ins. The sky really is the limit! Everything from yogurt to protein powder can be added to increase health benefits and flavor.
- Oats. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results. They keep their texture after soaking and don’t get mushy like quick oats tend to do, or stay hard like steel-cut oats. You can also look for a certified gluten-free oats brand if needed.
- Milk. You can use your favorite milk variety. Cashew and oat milks are my go-tos because they are super creamy and taste great in this recipe. But almond milk, soy milk, and regular milk can all be used.
- Apple. You will need to finely dice an apple, and any variety will work. However, similar to an apple pie, different types will affect the texture and flavor. Opt for mildly sweet yet crisp apples.
- Sweetener. Either pure maple syrup (NOT the pancake syrup type) or honey will work and is more natural than processed sugars. But you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar if you’d like.
- Cinnamon. Ground cinnamon adds a delicious fall flavor to this recipe.
- Chia Seeds. Though not necessary, chia seeds offer many health benefits and improve texture.
Pro Tip: The only milk that is NOT recommended is coconut milk. This will give your oats a pretty strong coconut flavor.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Add apples to the jars.
Add the diced apples to the bottom of the jar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Place it in the microwave for about 60 seconds, until the apples are soft.
Pro Tip: Use 8-ounce jars when making this recipe. They are easy to find and perfectly fit one serving of overnight oats.
Combine remaining ingredients.
Pour the oats, chia seeds, milk, and sweetener into the jar with the tender apple mixture.
Use a spoon to stir the mixture until everything is well combined.
Refrigerate to set.
Place the lid on the jar and set it in the fridge.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Serve these easy overnight oats with fresh fruit if preferred, or opt for roasted pecans, roasted walnuts, additional cinnamon, or a drizzle of honey.
FAQs
It is so easy to make this dish the day before. After combining the ingredients, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Be aware that the texture will be affected with each passing day and will become mushy after 24 hours. If you’d like to work more than a day ahead, combine everything except the milk, saving that step for the night before serving.
While basic overnight oats are best enjoyed within 24 hours of making, they can sit in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. After the first day, the consistency will become mushier. However, you can combine everything except the milk a few days in advance and simply finish the recipe the night before enjoying it.
The beauty of this apple cinnamon overnight oats recipe is that it can be enjoyed either hot or cold! Just grab the prepared jar out of the fridge first thing in the morning and enjoy as is, or heat it up in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You might need to add a little milk to get the consistency you like.
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Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup apple finely diced
- ½ cup oats old-fashioned, rolled, gluten-free if needed
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ½ cup milk oat, soy, or nut-based milk
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the diced apples and cinnamon to an 8-oz. glass Mason jar. Microwave for 60 seconds, or until the apples begin to soften.⅓ cup apple, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Add the oats, chia seeds, milk, and sweetener to the jar. Stir the oats with the liquid until well combined.½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, ½ cup milk, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Serve with additional diced apple and cinnamon.
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Notes
- Oats: Rolled oats are the best variety for a creamy and smooth texture.
- Mason jar: Mix everything in the jar so you have less to clean.
- Add-ins: Extra ingredients like yogurt, protein powder, spices, or nuts will enhance the flavor and health benefits of the oatmeal.
- Chilling: These oats need at least 4 hours in the fridge to achieve the best consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Apple Recipes
Apples are such a versatile fruit! These healthy recipes are the best ways to use them.
how long do these last in the fridge?
They will last for about 4-5 days. The last few days the texture gets a little mushy so it’s up to you how quickly you’d like to eat them up!
Why all the sugar in the overnight oats? It doesn’t need any sweeteners, especially if you switch some of the almond milk to coconut milk.
You can absolutely do that! I like to think of this as a blueprint for you to create your perfect overnight oats 🙂