This Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is easy to make and the perfect healthy make ahead breakfast for busy mornings. Made with hearty oats, apples and warm spices, it’s a healthy breakfast your family will love. Gluten free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free, vegan & requires only 5 minutes of prep time!
Easy Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Recipe
Looking for a delicious and cozy fall breakfast? These Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats sort of remind me of apple pie but are made with wholesome ingredients and just perfect for mornings when you don’t feel like turning on the oven. It’s a healthy no cook oatmeal recipe made with hearty rolled oats, chopped apples and warm cinnamon. They are a delicious and nutritious breakfast option for apple season and are completely dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free.
Looking for more apple cinnamon recipes when you have a ton of apples to use up? Try our Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies, Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats and Apple Cinnamon Macarons.
What are overnight oats
Are you an overnight oats fan? Overnight oats are simply uncooked oats that you soak with liquid for at least 4-5 hours (or overnight). They require less than 5 minutes of prep time. Plus, they are super easy to customize and I love that you can make a batch on meal prep Sunday with your favorite flavors.
Ingredients you need
All you need to make our easy apple overnight oats are just a few simple pantry ingredients:
- Oats: we use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats – we do not recommend using Instant Oats or Quick Oats
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds give overnight oats that thick pudding-like texture and add extra fiber but feel free to leave them out if you aren’t a fan.
- Milk: Use your favorite dairy or dairy-free milk you like or have on hand. We usually like to use unsweetened almond milk but coconut milk, cashew milk all work great for a vegan option.
- Sweetener: We like using pure maple syrup but you can use date syrup, yacon syrup, vegan honey or your favorite sticky liquid sweetener.
- Spices: We love adding some apple pie spices or a touch of ground cinnamon or chai spices.
- Apples: Peeled and chopped. Use Honeycrisp, Gala or your favorite apples.
- Chopped pecans: Toasted if desired.
Other Optional add-ins
- Yogurt – You can add a combination of milk and yogurt to make your oats extra creamy .
- Fruit: Have fun with your toppings. Add fruit that won’t get mushy directly into the mason jar or toss them on directly on top of the oats when you’re ready to eat.
- Nut or seed butter: Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin butter, sunflower seed butter and or peanut butter add that savory-nutty flavor and a certain creaminess.
Overnight Oats Ratio
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup liquid (water or your favorite milk)
How to make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Our apple overnight oats are one of the easiest breakfasts that even your kids can help you assemble the night before. Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions or watch the video below.
- Add oats to a bowl or container: Start by combining the rolled oats / old fashioned oats with milk, chia seeds, optional protein powder and sweetener to a 8 oz. mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. These 7 oz jars are the ones you actually see in the photos and are currently my favorite ones.
- Flavor with sweetener: Overnight oats are super versatile so feel free to add any sweetener or spices you like.
- Mix: Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
- Chill in Fridge: Seal or cover with a lid and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Make the Sauteed Apples: Heat oil in a nonstick pan on medium heat. Add the apples, maple syrup and cinnamon and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender and soft.
- Eat in the jar or a bowl: Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top. Top with apples, chopped pecans, almond butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve with more milk as desired or some dairy-free yogurt, if desired.
Storage and make ahead tips
Double or triple the batch and divide into separate mason jars or resealable containers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you eat Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal hot or cold?
You can eat overnight oats hot or cold straight from the fridge. Enjoy cold overnight oats with yogurt and berries plus toppings of your choice.
Can Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats be heated?
Yes, you can eat reheat overnight oatmeal either in the microwave in a heat-safe container or pour into a pot and heat on the stove.
Does this apple overnight oat recipe work with steel cut oats?
We specifically tested these instant oats recipes using old-fashioned rolled oats and not with steel cut oats.
Overnight Oats Variations
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats, banana, blueberries or for more Overnight Oatmeal options – Overnight Oat post with 9 fun flavors!
More easy oatmeal recipes:
This Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is easy to make and the perfect healthy make ahead breakfast for busy mornings. Made with hearty oats, apples and warm spices, it's a healthy breakfast your family will love. Gluten free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free, vegan & requires only 5 minutes of prep time!
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup or preferred sticky liquid sweetener
- 1 tsp apple pie spice or make your own mix with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cardamom or your favorite spice combo
- 2 tbsp plant-based protein powder , optional for added protein. We like Sprout Living Unflavored Epic Protein
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened almond milk or preferred milk
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 medium apple , peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup pecans
- 2 tbsp drippy almond butter or preferred nut or seed butter
- maple syrup
- dairy-free yogurt
- Add the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, apple pie spice and milk in a jar (or a bowl) and whisk to combine. Cover and place in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- For the sautéed apples, peel and chop apples into chunks. Heat coconut oil in a nonstick pan on medium heat. Add the apples, maple syrup and cinnamon and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender and soft.
- Optional - toast the pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Remove the oats from the fridge and serve and top with apples, chopped pecans, almond butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Recipe Video
