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Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats: A Perfect Breakfast, Dessert, or Snack

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There’s something magical about the crispness of autumn air, the sweetness of freshly harvested apples, and the warmth of a hearty breakfast. For many of us, apple season brings an exciting opportunity to indulge in the flavors of this beloved fruit. As the leaves change and the weather cools, one of the best ways to enjoy apples is in a bowl of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. This recipe combines the comforting flavors of vanilla oats, homemade applesauce, and cinnamon-fried apples to create a dish that is not only delicious but also versatile. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as a midday snack, or even as a dessert, this Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is perfect for beginners looking for something simple, wholesome, and satisfying.

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Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats: A Perfect Breakfast, Dessert, or Snack

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 Craving something sweet but healthy? 😍 Try these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats! 🍎✨ Packed with fiber, protein, and the cozy flavors of apple and cinnamon, it’s the perfect meal for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack. 🕒 Prepare it the night before and wake up to a creamy, satisfying bowl of goodness! 🌞 It’s the easy, nutritious meal that’ll keep you feeling great all day long. 🙌 #OvernightOatsRecipe #HealthyDesserts #AppleCinnamonGoodness #BreakfastIdeas #MealPrepEasy #QuickAndHealthy #OatmealLovers #SnackTime #DeliciousAndNutritious #HealthyStart 🥄

  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Overnight Oats

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup milk (any type—dairy or plant-based)
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Homemade Applesauce

  • 3 lbs apples (peeled, cored, and chopped into smaller chunks)
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar (or adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Fried Apples

  • ¾ cup salted butter
  • 8 medium tart red apples (peeled or unpeeled, cored, and chopped into small cubes)
  • ½ large lemon (juiced)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

For the Overnight Oats:

  1. Prepare the oats mixture: In a large mason jar or container with a secure lid, combine 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of yogurt (either plain or vanilla), 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir everything together thoroughly.
  2. Let it set: Cover the container with an airtight lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The oats will absorb the liquid and become soft and creamy, creating the perfect base for your toppings.

For the Homemade Applesauce:

  1. Cook the apples: In a large pot, add 3 lbs of peeled, cored, and chopped apples. Pour in ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir everything to combine.
  2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft and cooked through.
  3. Mash or blend: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat. For a chunky applesauce, mash the apples in the pot with a potato masher. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the apples in a food processor or blender (let the apples cool slightly if using a blender).

For the Cinnamon Fried Apples:

  1. Melt the butter: In a large cast-iron skillet, melt ¾ cup of salted butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook the apples: Add 8 medium tart apples (peeled, cored, and chopped into small cubes) to the skillet along with the juice of ½ lemon and ½ cup of brown sugar. Stir everything well to combine.
  3. Sauté: Cook the apples until they are soft but still have a little bite left. Stir occasionally to ensure the apples cook evenly. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in ½ cup of ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

Notes

  • To check if the chicken is cooked through: If you add chicken to your oats or want to make this dish savory, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  • If your applesauce turns out too runny: You can return it to the pot and simmer for a little longer to thicken it. Or, add a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with water to help it along.
  • Prevent the apples from overcooking: Keep a close eye on the apples while they cook in the skillet. You want them soft but still holding their shape. If they start to get too mushy, reduce the cooking time.
  • Preparing in advance: You can prep the applesauce and cinnamon-fried apples ahead of time. Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The fried apples can also be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Author: Paula Susan
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins

Why Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Are Ideal for Beginners

For those new to cooking, this recipe is a winner. It requires minimal prep time, and much of it can be done the night before, making mornings easier and more enjoyable. The overnight oats themselves need just a few basic ingredients—rolled oats, yogurt, milk, chia seeds, and a touch of vanilla extract. These ingredients come together effortlessly in a mason jar or container, where they’ll soak and soften overnight. The applesauce and cinnamon-fried apples, while adding a bit more effort, are still easy to make and can be enjoyed in other dishes as well.

What makes this recipe even more beginner-friendly is its flexibility. You can adjust the sweetness level, swap ingredients based on availability, or top your oats with your favorite nuts and seeds. This makes it both adaptable to your taste and an excellent way to practice basic cooking techniques like simmering, sautéing, and blending.

Most importantly, Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are nutritious. Packed with fiber from the oats and chia seeds, healthy fats from the nuts, and the antioxidant-rich goodness of apples, this dish is both a hearty and healthy option. Whether you’re starting your day with a burst of energy or indulging in a sweet treat, this recipe has something for everyone.

Ingredients and Preparation

For the Overnight Oats

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup milk (any type—dairy or plant-based)
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Homemade Applesauce

  • 3 lbs apples (peeled, cored, and chopped into smaller chunks)
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar (or adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Fried Apples

  • ¾ cup salted butter
  • 8 medium tart red apples (peeled or unpeeled, cored, and chopped into small cubes)
  • ½ large lemon (juiced)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toppings (Optional)

  • Sliced almonds or walnuts
  • Additional chia seeds and oats
  • Honey

Ingredient Substitutions:

  • If you don’t have vanilla yogurt, feel free to use plain yogurt and add a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
  • Swap out the milk for almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk if you prefer a dairy-free version.
  • If you’re short on apples, store-bought applesauce will work, but homemade applesauce will add a richer flavor.
  • You can also replace the brown sugar in the cinnamon-fried apples with maple syrup or coconut sugar if you want to make the dish slightly healthier.

Step-by-Step Instructions

For the Overnight Oats:

  1. Prepare the oats mixture: In a large mason jar or container with a secure lid, combine 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of yogurt (either plain or vanilla), 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir everything together thoroughly.
  2. Let it set: Cover the container with an airtight lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The oats will absorb the liquid and become soft and creamy, creating the perfect base for your toppings.

For the Homemade Applesauce:

  1. Cook the apples: In a large pot, add 3 lbs of peeled, cored, and chopped apples. Pour in ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir everything to combine.
  2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft and cooked through.
  3. Mash or blend: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat. For a chunky applesauce, mash the apples in the pot with a potato masher. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the apples in a food processor or blender (let the apples cool slightly if using a blender).

For the Cinnamon Fried Apples:

  1. Melt the butter: In a large cast-iron skillet, melt ¾ cup of salted butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook the apples: Add 8 medium tart apples (peeled, cored, and chopped into small cubes) to the skillet along with the juice of ½ lemon and ½ cup of brown sugar. Stir everything well to combine.
  3. Sauté: Cook the apples until they are soft but still have a little bite left. Stir occasionally to ensure the apples cook evenly. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in ½ cup of ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

Beginner Tips and Notes

  • To check if the chicken is cooked through: If you add chicken to your oats or want to make this dish savory, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  • If your applesauce turns out too runny: You can return it to the pot and simmer for a little longer to thicken it. Or, add a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with water to help it along.
  • Prevent the apples from overcooking: Keep a close eye on the apples while they cook in the skillet. You want them soft but still holding their shape. If they start to get too mushy, reduce the cooking time.
  • Preparing in advance: You can prep the applesauce and cinnamon-fried apples ahead of time. Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The fried apples can also be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions

While this Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is perfect on its own, you can elevate it with a variety of toppings:

  • Nuts: Add a handful of sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for a crunchy texture.
  • Sweeteners: Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the top for a touch of extra sweetness.
  • More oats or chia seeds: Sprinkle a few more oats or chia seeds on top for an added nutritional boost.

If you’re serving this dish as a dessert, try pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a breakfast or brunch, serve it with a side of scrambled eggs or a smoothie for a complete meal.

Storage Tips

  • Leftovers: If you have any leftover overnight oats or applesauce, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The overnight oats will stay good for up to 3-4 days, while the applesauce and cinnamon apples can be kept for up to a week.
  • Freezing: Both the applesauce and fried apples can be frozen for later use. Just be sure to let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag.

Conclusion

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are a delightful and comforting dish that brings the best of autumn to your breakfast table—or anytime you need a delicious, healthy snack. With its mix of creamy oats, warm cinnamon apples, and homemade applesauce, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed by everyone, even those just beginning their cooking journey. It’s simple, versatile, and packed with flavors that will make every bite a joy.

So, why not give this recipe a try? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or let us know how you customize it. We’d love to hear about the unique twists you add to your Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats!

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