Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Recipe

Picture this: you wake up late on a busy Monday morning. You’ve got to pack lunches, get the kids on the bus, get ready for work, but the one thing you don’t have to do? Make breakfast! That’s the magic of overnight oats—a few minutes the evening before, and you have an easy grab-and-go breakfast for the morning. 

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are a cozy, fall-inspired flavor of this popular make-ahead breakfast! These hearty, healthy, and oh-so-delicious oats that taste a lot like apple pie are a game-changer for busy mornings. Studded with tender, sweet apples and spiced with warm cinnamon, these oats will be a little bit of bliss for your busy morning. So, grab your oats, and let’s get started on this tasty adventure!

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats, as the name suggests, are a unique variation of oatmeal where you let them sit in the refrigerator overnight rather than cooking them on the stove. When morning arrives, you can enjoy them cold, resembling a creamy pudding, or warm them up. If you’re new to the world of overnight oatmeal, be sure to visit our comprehensive Overnight Oats 101 post.

What ingredients do you need to make cinnamon apple overnight oats?

You’ll need all the basics that we call for in all of our overnight oats recipes, plus a few extras:

• Small fresh apple—any of your favorite varieties will do!
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Rolled oats
• Unsweetened non-dairy or dairy milk (we like almond milk or oat milk)
• Chia seeds or ground flax meal
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Honey or maple syrup

How to make apple cinnamon overnight oats in 3 easy steps

This oatmeal recipe is an absolute breeze to make—you can have the whole thing whipped up in about 5 minutes! Here’s how:

1. Cook the apples—Place the diced apples in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the apple pieces are fork-tender.
2. Mix up the oats—Whisk together Greek yogurt, oats, milk, chia seeds or flax meal, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener in a medium-sized mixing bowl with the cooked apples. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Refrigerate—Place the oats in the fridge and let sit overnight (or at least four hours) before enjoying.

Can you make substitutions to these overnight oats?

Yes, that’s one of the glorious things about overnight oats—they are super flexible! You can easily make swaps to suit your preferences. It’s no extra effort to make these oats dairy-free, high protein, vegan, gluten-free, or low- or no-sugar. We cover all the substitutions you can make in our in-depth overnight oats post.

How to store apple overnight oats

One of the perks of apple cinnamon overnight oats is their convenience. You can prepare them ahead for a busy week. Store your oats in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to five days. This makes them a fantastic meal prep option for those hectic mornings when you need a wholesome breakfast on the go.

How do you keep apples from browning in overnight oats?

It’s a common concern: you prep your oats the night before, but by morning, those fresh apple pieces have turned brown. No worries, because you will be cooking the apples before adding them to your oats—that will prevent over-browning.

Want more easy overnight oats recipes like this one?

• Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats