Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

I love these overnight oats because apple and cinnamon give me the familiar flavors of apple pie in a much simpler breakfast. Fresh apple adds natural sweetness and a little texture, while cinnamon gives every spoonful a warm, comforting flavor.

I also appreciate how convenient the recipe is. I only need about 10 minutes to assemble the oats, and the refrigerator handles the rest of the preparation overnight.

Another reason I make these oats often is how easy they are to customize. I can add nuts, chia seeds, raisins, nut butter, yogurt, or extra fruit depending on what I have available.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 medium apple, finely diced or grated
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

For topping:

• Fresh apple slices
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Almond or peanut butter
• Granola
• Raisins, optional
• Extra cinnamon
• Maple syrup, optional

Directions

I start by washing and finely dicing or grating my apple. I usually leave the peel on for extra texture, although I can peel it first when I want softer pieces throughout the oats.

In a bowl or large jar, I combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. I stir everything together so the spices are evenly distributed.

Next, I add the milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla. I stir until the mixture is creamy and well combined.

I fold in the prepared apple, making sure the pieces are evenly distributed throughout the oats.

I cover the container and refrigerate it for at least 6 hours. I usually prepare mine before bed and let the oats sit overnight so they have plenty of time to absorb the liquid.

In the morning, I stir the oats thoroughly. If they are thicker than I prefer, I add a splash of milk until I reach the consistency I like.

I divide the oats between bowls or jars and finish them with fresh apple, chopped nuts, granola, nut butter, cinnamon, or a small drizzle of maple syrup.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes approximately 2 servings.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Chilling time: at least 6 hours
• Total time: approximately 6 hours 10 minutes
• Servings: 2

Variations

For an apple pie variation, I add extra cinnamon, a little ginger, and a small pinch of cloves. I finish the oats with crushed graham crackers or granola for a pie-inspired crunch.

When I want caramel apple overnight oats, I add chopped dates or a drizzle of date caramel before serving. I find that the caramel-like sweetness works especially well with tart apples.

For extra crunch, I add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds just before eating. I keep them separate overnight so they retain their texture.

For a dairy-free version, I replace the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and use oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk.

When I want additional creaminess, I stir almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter into the mixture before refrigerating it.

I can also make cinnamon raisin apple oats by adding a small handful of raisins. The raisins soften slightly overnight and add little bursts of sweetness.

Storage/Reheating

I store my Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

The oats continue absorbing liquid while refrigerated, so they usually become thicker after the first night. I stir in a little additional milk whenever I want a creamier consistency.

I keep crunchy toppings such as granola and nuts separate until serving. This prevents them from becoming soft while the oats sit in the refrigerator.

I usually enjoy these overnight oats cold, but I can also serve them warm. I transfer a portion to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals, stirring between each one and adding milk as needed.

When I want a particularly cozy breakfast, I warm the oats and top them with sautéed cinnamon apples just before serving.

FAQs

What type of apple works best for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats?

I like using crisp apples that have a balance of sweetness and tartness. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Granny Smith are all good options for me. I choose sweeter apples when I want to use less added maple syrup.

Can I make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats without yogurt?

Yes. I can leave out the yogurt and add additional milk. If I want to maintain a thick, creamy texture, I add a little more chia seed, mashed banana, or nut butter.

Do I need to cook the apple first?

No. I can add finely diced or grated raw apple directly to my overnight oats. When I want a softer, apple-pie-like texture, I sauté the apple with cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup before adding it.

Can I eat these overnight oats warm?

Yes. I enjoy them cold straight from the refrigerator, but I can also heat them in the microwave or gently warm them in a saucepan. I add a splash of milk during reheating to keep the texture creamy.

How far ahead can I prepare Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats?

I can prepare them several days in advance and keep them refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 4 days. If I am meal-prepping multiple servings, I save fresh apple slices, nuts, and granola for the day I plan to eat each portion.

Conclusion

These Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats give me a simple way to enjoy the cozy flavors of apples and cinnamon without spending much time preparing breakfast in the morning. Rolled oats, yogurt, chia seeds, and milk create a creamy base, while fresh apple and warm spices give the recipe its comforting flavor.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

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Creamy make-ahead overnight oats filled with fresh apple, warm cinnamon, chia seeds, and maple sweetness. Exact topping measurements make it easy to finish each serving with fruit, nuts, granola, nut butter, and extra cinnamon.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 medium apple, finely diced or grated
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 medium apple, thinly sliced, optional for topping
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans, optional for topping
• 2 tablespoons almond or peanut butter, optional for topping
• 1/4 cup granola, optional for topping
• 2 tablespoons raisins, optional for topping
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional for topping
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, optional for topping

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Instructions

1. Wash and finely dice or grate the medium apple. Leave the peel on for extra texture or peel the apple first for softer pieces.
2. Combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl or large jar. Stir until the spices are evenly distributed.
3. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until creamy and thoroughly combined.
4. Fold in the prepared apple until evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, allowing the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid.
6. Stir the chilled oats thoroughly before serving. Add a splash of milk if needed for a thinner, creamier consistency.
7. Divide the overnight oats evenly between two bowls or jars.
8. For each serving, add up to 1/4 sliced apple, 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans, 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter, 2 tablespoons granola, 1 tablespoon raisins, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup as desired.

Notes

• All topping ingredients are optional. The listed quantities provide enough toppings for two servings.
• Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Granny Smith apples all work well in overnight oats.
• For an apple pie variation, add a pinch each of ground ginger and cloves and top with granola or crushed graham crackers.
• For caramel apple oats, add chopped dates or date caramel before serving.
• For a dairy-free version, use plant-based yogurt and oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk.
• For additional creaminess, stir almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter into the oat mixture before chilling.
• Store the overnight oats in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Keep nuts and granola separate until serving so they remain crunchy.
• Serve cold or gently warm individual portions in the microwave or a saucepan, adding additional milk as needed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving with all listed toppings
• Calories: 575 kcal
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 145 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 82 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 8 mg