Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats

Make these cinnamon apple overnight oats for an irresistible and healthy breakfast you can prep ahead for the entire week.

Oats are a staple breakfast at my household, and we use them for savory dishes, baked oatmeal, and even homemade instant oatmeal packets. Since my kids love the apple and cinnamon flavor in instant oatmeal, today I’m recreating those same flavors into a healthy overnight oats recipe.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – Easy Fall Breakfast

The classic flavors of tart apple and cinnamon in a jar of creamy overnight oats are something everyone can look forward to in the morning. It reminds me of baked apple pie, but in a wholesome breakfast, we can enjoy, guilt-free.

You can enjoy overnight oats right out of the fridge, chilled or warmed in the microwave but beware that heating them will make the entire house smell like an apple cinnamon fall scented candle.

Which Oats are Best?

The best oats for overnight oats are either old-fashioned rolled oats or steel-cut. The larger flakes take longer to absorb the liquid, so you’ll have thick and creamy oats in the morning. Using smaller cut instant oats will result in soupy, mushy oatmeal which is not fun for anyone.

To make perfect oats, you’ll need the right liquid to oats ratio. This is, in part, is affected by the type of oats you use to make them.

• Old-Fashioned or Rolled Oats: ½ cup oats + ¾ cup liquid
• Steel-Cut Oats: ¼ cup steel-cut oats + ½ cup liquid

There’s an entire post on how to make overnight oats, which is mixing oats + add-ins + liquid and refrigerating everything overnight. In the process, the oats soften up and absorb the liquid. Of course, you can top the end results with fruit, nuts, nut butter, and toppings to your heart’s content. 

Choosing the Best Apples

While I encourage you to use what you have on hand, there is something so good about a crisp, sweet-tart apple. When cooked down with maple syrup, cinnamon, and butter- it really takes these oats up a notch.

Varieties I’ve found that work best for Apple Cinnamon Oats are: 

• Pink Lady
• Granny Smith
• Honey Crisp
• Gala

Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats Ingredients

Oats are as simple as it gets, and this recipe comes together with basic ingredients you probably have stowed away in the pantry. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Old-fashioned oats: large flakes work best for overnight oats since they keep their texture and don’t get too mushy.
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk: or your favorite regular or non-dairy milk.
• Unsalted butter: to cook the apple. Use coconut oil to keep the recipe dairy-free.
• Apple: use any apple you have on hand. Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, and Gala taste amazing in this recipe.
• Ground cinnamon: for that delicious dessert-like flavor we all love.
• Maple syrup: or honey, to add a little extra sweetness. 

How to Make Cinnamon Apples

This recipe involves a little cooking, but it’s less than 5 minutes for the cinnamon apples that get stirred into the creamy, oat base. Here’s how to make them:  

1. Dice the apple
   Peeling is optional, but dice the apple into even-sized, small cubes. You want them to cook fast. 
2. Cook
   In a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add apples and cinnamon and cook stirring, for about 3 to 5 minutes until they have softened. 
3. Add the syrup
   Once the apples are soft, add in the maple syrup and turn off the heat.

And just like that, you have the most divine-smelling cinnamon apples to add to your oats!

Watch how they’re made in this video.

Related: Healthy Fall Breakfast Recipes

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats 

Overnight oats are quick to assemble and prep the night before. You can either make one batch in a large bowl and serve everyone from there or prep these individual 8-ounce jars. I prefer the jar so everyone can grab and go as needed. 

Here’s how to make this delicious breakfast happen: 

1. Combine and Refrigerate Overnight
   Combine the oats, cinnamon, ground flax, milk, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Top with the cooked cinnamon apples, seal and refrigerate.
2. Open and enjoy
   The next morning, remove the lid, stir, and bon appetit. 

How Long do Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats Last?

Overnight oats usually last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, just another reason these make a great breakfast meal prep. Not only will you have a delicious breakfast you can grab and go, it gives the oats more time to soak up all the flavors of the cinnamon, apple, and vanilla.

More Overnight Oat Recipes

After you enjoy these cinnamon apple overnight oats, try one of these other flavor combinations!

• Strawberry Overnight Oats
• Bananas Foster Overnight Oats
• Steel Cut Overnight Oats
• Banana Split Overnight Oats