If you love the cozy flavors of apples and cinnamon, this Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is going to be your new favorite make-ahead healthy breakfast. Made with rolled oats, warm spices, and dried apples (instead of raw), these overnight oats are creamy, flavorful, and perfect for prepping ahead for busy mornings.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 5 minutes (+ overnight soak)
- Servings: 1 (easy to scale for meal prep)
- Method: No-cook
- Flavor & Texture: Creamy, lightly sweet, apple-pie inspired
That Nostalgic Apple Cinnamon Flavor We All Love
Apples and cinnamon have always been a classic oatmeal flavor in my house. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, apple cinnamon was always the first flavor gone from the instant oatmeal variety box – and honestly, not much has changed.
Most of the time, apple oatmeal shows up warm in my kitchen – like slow cooker apple oatmeal, stovetop apple oatmeal, or apple cinnamon baked oatmeal (a top request from my kids). But I wanted a cold, creamy version to round out my oatmeal recipes – something that works especially well for overnight oats.
My kids still prefer their oatmeal warm, but I love overnight oats cold and creamy. My girls call it “adult oatmeal” – and maybe they’re right. This apple cinnamon overnight oats recipe hits all the nostalgic flavors, but in a make-ahead breakfast that’s easy, portion-controlled, and perfect for busy mornings.
Enjoy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below. These notes will help you get the best results from this apple overnight oats with cinnamon recipe.
- Rolled oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the only oats I recommend for overnight oats. They soften perfectly as they soak, giving you that creamy texture without turning mushy. Instant oats break down too quickly, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough without cooking. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you’re gluten-sensitive, be sure to choose certified gluten-free oats.
- Dried apples. This is what really sets this recipe apart. I tested this with fresh apples, and they browned quickly and didn’t deliver the apple flavor I was looking for when made ahead. Dried apples rehydrate overnight, release a more concentrated apple flavor, and hold up beautifully for meal prep. Look for dried apples where the only ingredient listed is apples – no added sugar or preservatives needed.
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon is the key spice that gives these oats that classic apple-cinnamon flavor so many of us grew up loving. A little goes a long way, and it adds warmth, flavor, and antioxidants without extra sugar.
- Chia seeds. I add chia seeds to all of my overnight oats recipes. They add fiber, protein, and omega-3s, but they also play a big role in texture. Chia seeds absorb liquid and help create that creamy, pudding-like consistency that makes overnight oats so satisfying.
- Unsweetened almond milk. I usually keep my overnight oats dairy-free, so unsweetened almond milk is my go-to. It keeps the oats light and creamy without adding extra sugar. Coconut milk, dairy milk, or any milk you prefer will work just fine.
- Honey. Honey is my preferred sweetener for apple cinnamon overnight oats because it pairs so well with apples and cinnamon. You can also use pure maple syrup if that’s what you have on hand. Either way, start small – the apples add natural sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract. Just a splash of vanilla adds warmth and depth and helps tie all of the flavors together. It’s optional, but it really does make the oats taste more complete.
- Chopped walnuts (optional). I like to add walnuts in the morning for a little crunch and texture. They also add healthy fats and make the oats more filling. Totally optional, but a great addition if you enjoy some bite in your oatmeal.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: In a 16-ounce mason jar, combine the rolled oats, dried apples, cinnamon, and chia seeds.
Step 2: Stir in the honey, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
Step 4: Cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight. The dried apples will soften and release their flavor into the oats.
Step 5: In the morning, stir the oats and add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the texture. Top with chopped walnuts if desired.
Want more help mastering overnight oats? Check out my How to Make Overnight Oats step-by-step guide.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Why dried apples work best in overnight oats. While many apple overnight oats recipes use fresh apples, I’ve found they don’t work as well when you’re making oats ahead for the week. Fresh apples tend to brown quickly and don’t release much flavor after soaking. Dried apples rehydrate overnight, hold their texture, and release a more concentrated apple flavor into the oats. When shopping, look for dried apples where the only ingredient is apples – no added sugar, oils, or preservatives.
- You can swap applesauce for the dried apples. If you don’t have dried apples on hand, you can absolutely use applesauce instead. Many readers have made this recipe using ¼ cup applesauce with great results. Just be sure to choose organic, unsweetened applesauce with apples listed as the only ingredient. Added sugars and flavors aren’t necessary here and can overpower the natural apple-cinnamon flavor – and they add a lot of processed ingredients you don’t need. You can also use my slow cooker applesauce.
- Boost the protein if needed. This recipe is easy to customize. If you want more staying power, stir in Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, collagen powder, or a scoop of protein powder. I recommend adding protein to the wet ingredients and then adjusting with a splash of milk so the oats stay creamy. Check out my post on collagen vs protein powder for recommendations and if you’re not sure which one to use.
- Add more warm spice if you like. Cinnamon is the star here, but a small pinch of nutmeg or allspice can add extra depth. Start small – these spices are strong and a little goes a long way.
- Adjust sweetness to your taste. Dried apples (or applesauce) naturally add sweetness, so you may not need much more honey or maple syrup than what the recipe calls for. Taste the oats in the morning before adding more sweetener, especially if you’re trying to keep added sugars low.
- Prefer your oats warm? Overnight oats are typically eaten cold, but you can warm them up if you prefer. Let the jar sit on the counter for a few minutes, then microwave in short intervals or warm gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the texture.
Make-Ahead Tips
This apple cinnamon overnight oats recipe is designed for meal prep. Prepare 3–5 jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir and add milk before eating if needed.
For more ideas, check out my meal prep oatmeal tips and recipes.
More Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
- Raspberry Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats
- Banana Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Overnight Oats with Yogurt
- Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Overnight Oats
- Overnight Oats with PB2
- Vanilla Overnight Oats
- Almond Joy Overnight Oats
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 16-ounce mason jar
- 1 lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apple
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or any milk
- 1 teaspoon honey add more in the morning, if needed. You can also use pure maple syrup.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a 16-ounce mason jar, combine the rolled oats, dried apples, cinnamon, and chia seeds.
- Stir in the honey, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight. The dried apples will soften and release their flavor into the oats.
- In the morning, stir the oats and add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the texture. If you need more sweetness then add in more honey (or pure maple syrup if that's what you used) Top with chopped walnuts if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you tried this Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a comment below — it helps other readers find the recipe and lets me keep sharing simple, healthy breakfasts you’ll actually want to eat.
Karis says
Thanks I love all the overnight oats. I tried many different ones strawberry banana. Blueberry & peaches. Apple pie etc there all real tasty and filling. Better than a donut & bagel. Thanks for all the comments they are helpful.
Julia says
Wow – this tasted way closer to the instant stuff than I imagined!
Katie says
I’ve made this one late night and I did not have any fancy dried apples so I used about a 1/4 cup of applesauce instead haha! I mixed it all up, then put it in the fridge and in the morning I LOVED IT!!! Thank you for the recipe!
Zoe Bennett says
I love the oats in jar but the points for WW are so high. I came up with 14 points…that is a big part of a day.
Tamala Fiene says
I love overnight oats. When I make mine I use 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 c unsweetened almond milk, 1 tsp chai seeds, 1/4 c old fashioned oats and fresh or frozen fruits. Only 3 pts. To add flavors add vanilla, Orange extract, almond extract, cinnamon, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice. If needed sweetness I add splenda.
Nanette says
I’m new to your site but am already addicted to the mason jar salads — the recipes as well as the idea 🙂 And this week I just tried your green smoothies – yum! I freeze mine in my Magic Bullet mugs and then pop Turk in the microwave on defrost for 2.5 minutes, throw the mug back on the magic bullet to mix ot back to smoothie texture and I’m out the door! So now I want to try your overnight oats but have a question. I, like your kids, prefer my oatmeal hot – can you just put the jar (without the lid) into the microwave for a minute and enjoy it hot? it doesn’t seem like it would ruin anything or maybe I’m missing something. Has anyone tried that? LOVE your site and am sending link to all my FB friends!!
Tammy Kresge says
Hi there! Thanks so much for reading my site. Yes you can microwave this in a microwave safe container. I’ve warmed up on the stove too.
Melissa says
Very tasty! I subbed maple syrup for the honey because I already had that out on the counter for another overnight oat recipe I was prepping. I also reduced the amount to 1 tsp (from 1 Tbsp) because I don’t like my oatmeal that sweet. I couldn’t find dried apples in my grocery store (and didn’t have time this week to check another store) so I used dried pears instead. Overall a great recipe that will become one of my go-to versions of overnight oats. Thanks!