Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – A Cozy, Make-Ahead Breakfast

Skip the morning rush and wake up to a jar of creamy, spiced oats that tastes like warm apple pie—without turning on the oven. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are simple, satisfying, and easy to customize. You just stir everything together the night before and let the fridge do the work.

The result is a chilled, lightly sweet breakfast that’s filling but not heavy. It’s the kind of routine-friendly recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats - A Cozy, Make-Ahead Breakfast

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

  

• Old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick or steel-cut)
• Milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, or soy)
• Plain or vanilla yogurt (Greek for extra protein or regular for lighter texture; dairy or non-dairy)
• Apple (crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala)
• Ground cinnamon
• Maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
• Chia seeds (optional, for thickness and omega-3s)
• Vanilla extract (optional, boosts the apple pie vibe)
• Pinch of salt (brings out the flavors)
• Nut topping (optional: chopped walnuts or pecans)
• Raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
• Ground nutmeg or allspice (optional, for warmth)
• Lemon juice (optional, keeps apple from browning)

Instructions

 

• Prep the apple: Core and dice 1 medium apple into small cubes. If you like extra texture, leave the peel on. Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re prepping several jars.
• Mix the base: In a jar or bowl, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/4 cup yogurt. Stir well so the oats are fully moistened.
• Add flavor: Stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of salt, 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (if using), and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness now—flavors mellow overnight.
• Boost texture: Add 1 teaspoon chia seeds for a thicker, pudding-like consistency. If you skip chia, use a bit less milk or slightly more yogurt.
• Fold in the apple: Mix in half of the diced apple. Reserve the rest to add fresh in the morning for crunch.
• Optional add-ins: Stir in a tablespoon of chopped nuts or a tablespoon of raisins/dried cranberries. A pinch of nutmeg or allspice adds cozy depth.
• Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The oats soften and the flavors blend as they rest.
• Finish and serve: In the morning, stir, add a splash of milk if it’s too thick, and top with the remaining apple and more cinnamon. Add nuts for crunch and a drizzle of maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

What Makes This Special

These oats bring together the cozy flavors of apple and cinnamon in a no-cook format that saves time and money. They’re balanced: whole grains for steady energy, yogurt for creaminess and protein, and apples for natural sweetness and crunch.

The texture is thick and spoonable, with a nice contrast between soft oats and crisp fruit. Plus, the recipe is flexible—use dairy or non-dairy ingredients, adjust sweetness, and tweak the spices to match your taste.

Shopping List

• Old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick or steel-cut)
• Milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, or soy)
• Plain or vanilla yogurt (Greek for extra protein or regular for lighter texture; dairy or non-dairy)
• Apple (crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala)
• Ground cinnamon
• Maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
• Chia seeds (optional, for thickness and omega-3s)
• Vanilla extract (optional, boosts the apple pie vibe)
• Pinch of salt (brings out the flavors)
• Nut topping (optional: chopped walnuts or pecans)
• Raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
• Ground nutmeg or allspice (optional, for warmth)
• Lemon juice (optional, keeps apple from browning)

How to Make It

1. Prep the apple: Core and dice 1 medium apple into small cubes. If you like extra texture, leave the peel on.

   Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re prepping several jars.

2. Mix the base: In a jar or bowl, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/4 cup yogurt. Stir well so the oats are fully moistened.
3. Add flavor: Stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of salt, 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (if using), and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness now—flavors mellow overnight.
4. Boost texture: Add 1 teaspoon chia seeds for a thicker, pudding-like consistency.

   If you skip chia, use a bit less milk or slightly more yogurt.

5. Fold in the apple: Mix in half of the diced apple. Reserve the rest to add fresh in the morning for crunch.
6. Optional add-ins: Stir in a tablespoon of chopped nuts or a tablespoon of raisins/dried cranberries. A pinch of nutmeg or allspice adds cozy depth.
7. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

   The oats soften and the flavors blend as they rest.

8. Finish and serve: In the morning, stir, add a splash of milk if it’s too thick, and top with the remaining apple and more cinnamon. Add nuts for crunch and a drizzle of maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

How to Store

Store in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you’re meal prepping, keep the apples separate until serving to maintain crunch.

If the oats thicken over time, loosen with a spoonful of milk before eating. Avoid freezing; the texture turns pasty and the apples get mealy.

Health Benefits

• Steady energy: Rolled oats are high in complex carbs and soluble fiber, which help keep you full and support steady blood sugar.
• Heart-friendly: Oats contain beta-glucan, a fiber linked to healthy cholesterol levels.
• Gut support: Yogurt provides probiotics (if using live cultures), and oats offer prebiotic fiber to feed good gut bacteria.
• Vitamin boost: Apples add vitamin C, antioxidants, and additional fiber—especially if you keep the skin on.
• Protein potential: Using Greek yogurt or soy milk bumps up the protein, making this a more complete breakfast.
• Smart fats: Chia seeds and walnuts provide omega-3s and help with satiety.

What Not to Do

• Don’t use instant or steel-cut oats as-is: Instant oats can turn mushy; steel-cut won’t soften enough overnight without extra steps. Choose rolled oats.
• Don’t skip the pinch of salt: It makes the cinnamon, apple, and vanilla taste brighter.
• Don’t overdo the liquid: A 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats (counting both milk and yogurt) is a good starting point.

  Too much liquid yields soupy oats.

• Don’t mix hot ingredients: Heat can curdle yogurt and mess with the texture. Everything should be cold or room temp.
• Don’t let apples sit uncovered: If prepping multiple jars, add apple just before eating or toss with lemon to prevent browning.

Variations You Can Try

• Caramel Apple: Swap maple for a teaspoon of date syrup and add a tiny pinch of sea salt. Top with chopped pecans.
• Apple Pie Protein: Use Greek yogurt and add 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder.

  Increase milk slightly to keep it creamy.

• Baked-Style Crunch: Stir in 1 tablespoon of granola just before serving so it stays crisp.
• Apple Almond: Use almond milk, add almond extract instead of vanilla, and top with toasted sliced almonds.
• Spiced Ginger: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger and a few diced crystallized ginger pieces for zing.
• Apple Cinnamon Raisin: Fold in raisins and a touch of nutmeg for that classic oatmeal cookie vibe.
• Warm it up: Heat in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between, and finish with a splash of milk. The apples will soften slightly, like a cozy baked oatmeal.

Do I Need to Peel the Apple?

No. The peel adds fiber and texture.

If you prefer a softer bite, peel it, but it’s not necessary.

Can I Make This Dairy-Free?

Yes. Use non-dairy milk (almond, soy, oat) and non-dairy yogurt. Choose a thicker yogurt to keep the oats creamy.

How Do I Prevent the Oats From Being Too Thick?

Stir in an extra splash of milk right before serving.

If you used chia seeds, a little liquid goes a long way to loosen the mixture.

Can I Use Steel-Cut Oats?

Not for the basic method. Steel-cut oats stay chewy. If you must, pre-soak them longer (12–24 hours) and increase liquid, but the texture won’t be the same.

What’s the Best Sweetener?

Maple syrup pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apple.

Honey works too. For a lower-sugar option, rely on a sweeter apple variety and skip added sweeteners.

How Long Do They Need to Chill?

At least 4 hours for decent softness, but overnight gives the best texture and flavor.

Can I Add Protein Powder?

Yes. Add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder and increase milk by 2–3 tablespoons to prevent dryness.

Should I Grate or Dice the Apple?

Either works.

Grated apple blends into the oats and adds moisture; diced apple keeps things crisp and chunky. You can also do half and half.

In Conclusion

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are an easy, make-ahead breakfast that checks all the boxes: creamy, satisfying, and warmly spiced. With a short ingredient list and endless ways to customize, it’s a smart choice for busy mornings and relaxed weekends alike.

Make one jar or prep several, add your favorite toppings, and start the day with something you’ll actually look forward to eating.