The taste of apple pie in overnight oat form – say hello to apple cinnamon overnight oats! Thick and creamy, full of fresh apples, and a touch of vanilla and cinnamon.
Overnight oats are one of my favorite easy breakfasts! They are ridiculously easy to make, the variations are endless, and always delicious. I love prepping them when I know I’ll have a busy morning or a post-workout breakfast.
Just like all of my overnight oatmeal recipes, it is well-balanced for balancing your blood sugar and energy levels. They are packed with protein from Greek yogurt and a little collagen, complex carbs and fiber from oats and chia seeds, which helps slow down digestion, and some healthy fats.
If needed, they are easily customizable and adjustable to fit your dietary preference and macro needs.
Why we love this apple cinnamon overnight oats
- 5 minutes to make – just add everything to a jar and mix to combine
- tastes like apple pie, but in overnight oats form!
- balanced breakfast full of complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber
- great for meal prep – make one or a few for busy mornings
Apple overnight oats ingredients
- rolled oats
- almond milk
- greek yogurt – adds creaminess and protein
- chia seeds – this help absorb the liquid and adds some more fiber
- diced apples – I love gala apples for these
- honey – for a little sweetness
- cinnamon
- vanilla extract
- collagen – optional, but adds a touch more protein
How to make apple cinnamon overnight oats
- Make overnight oats. Add all ingredients to a large jar. Stir well to combine or place the lid on the jar and shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Place the lid on the jar and put the oatmeal mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the mixture thickens.
- Enjoy! Eat out of the jar or transfer to a bowl and top with toppings of choice.
How long do overnight oats take
Overnight oats don’t really need to be “overnight”. I actually usually do “quick overnight oats” and make them the morning of, let them sit for an hour or two, and then enjoy. An hour is usually enough for the chia seeds and the oats to absorb the liquid.
I also don’t use that much liquid; I love them super creamy. The reason why most people make them at night is that it just makes your morning easier. Just grab it and enjoy! But if you forget, you can totally make them the day of.
How long do overnight oats last
Overnight oats can last for up to 5 days in the fridge. The longer they sit, the more time to soak up the liquid. Overnight oats will last 5 days but will be a bit mushier than on day 3 or 4.
They make a great option for meal prep – I will make a few servings at a time (these jars are perfect for them) and just keep them in the fridge for something quick and easy to grab during the week.
Substitutions or additions
Overnight oats are so customizable and you can tweak them to your preference and your macronutrient needs. Here are a few suggestions for this overnight oat recipe:
- rolled oats – you can use quick oats instead of rolled oats. While you can use steel-cut oats for overnight oats, they are a lot coarser (they aren’t as processed) and need to soak for at least 10-12 hours. You will need more liquid if using steel-cut oats as well. To ensure this recipe is gluten-free, look for certified gluten-free oats.
- almond milk – any kind of dairy or non-dairy (coconut milk, cashew milk…)
- greek yogurt – use full-fat yogurt, fat-free yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt. You can leave out the yogurt if you like, but the texture won’t be as thick and creamy.
- honey – maple syrup will work instead of honey.
- cinnamon – apple pie spice or a combination of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove would be a good substitution for cinnamon.
And here are some additions:
- nut butter – any kind of nut or seed butter will work. I think peanut butter would be super delicious to mix in.
- protein powder – add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder to increase the protein. Depending on the flavor, it could take away a little from the apple and cinnamon though.
- toppings – fresh fruit, coconut flakes, nut butter, cinnamon, nuts, and seeds, are all great choices to put on top!
More healthy overnight oats recipes
- chocolate coconut overnight oats
- mango overnight oats
- chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
- coffee overnight oats
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced bowl, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (50 grams)
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt (4 ounces – I used 4% fat)
- 1/2 cup diced apple (50 grams)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 scoop collagen (optional) (10 grams)
- 2/3 cup almond milk
instructions
- Make overnight oats. Add all ingredients to a large jar. Stir well to combine until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Place the lid on the jar and put the oatmeal mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the mixture thickens.
- Enjoy! Eat out of the jar or transfer to a bowl and top with toppings of choice.
Molly says
I love to make these when I have extra yogurt or apples lying around because the rest of the ingredients are just household staples! I’ve made the mistake of not checking the type of yogurt I was using and it threw the macros WAY off, so be sure to check ahead of time if you’re logging your food! But other than that these oats are TASTY and the perfect amount of filling for a snack or pre-workout meal!
Kelly says
So glad you enjoy them so much! I love them around my workout too. Thanks, Molly!
Austin says
Super easy to prep ahead of time, especially for those people like me who are famous for getting busy during the day and then forgetting to eat. I prefer Granny smith apples chopped on top of this because they are tart and crunchy! So so good!
Kelly says
Haha, I feel you! Love green apples, I will have to try that next time I make them. Thanks, Austin!