Caramelised cinnamon apples layered with creamy, spiced oats, these apple pie overnight oats taste like a slice of apple pie but are ready and waiting in the fridge when you wake up. Dairy-free, made in 20 minutes the night before, and the perfect autumn breakfast.
Apple Pie Overnight Oats – Autumn in a Jar
I usually start my mornings with an early swim at Tooting Bec Lido and a hot cup of tea. By the time I get back home I am ravenous, and need a quick and easy breakfast to fill up on and overnight oats are one of my favourite things.
At this time of the year, when apples are piling up in the fruit bowl, this apple pie overnight oats is the breakfast I crave. Think of everything you love about apple pie (soft, caramelised apples, warming cinnamon, a hint of mixed spice), layered with creamy oats and left in the fridge to do its thing overnight.
It could not be easier. The apples are cooked quickly in a pan with a little dark brown sugar and cinnamon until they’re sticky and golden, but still have a bit of bite. Then they’re layered in jars with oats soaked in dairy-free milk, chia seeds, mixed spice and vanilla. By morning you have a creamy, spiced breakfast that’s ready to grab from the fridge.
It’s also a lovely way to use up apples if you’re dealing with an autumn glut or have picked up a bag too many at the market.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Breakfast is done before you go to bed: 20 minutes the night before and there’s nothing to do in the morning.
- It genuinely tastes like apple pie: caramelised apples, cinnamon and mixed spice give you all the cosy flavours, without the pastry.
- Dairy-free and easily vegan: made with plant milk and sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup.
- Great for meal prep: make a couple of jars at once for easy weekday breakfasts.
- Warm or cold: enjoy straight from the fridge or warm it through.
- A good source of fibre: from the oats, apples and chia seeds, helping you on your way to 30g of fibre a day.
Which Apples Are Best for Apple Pie Overnight Oats?
You want an apple that softens and caramelises in the pan but still holds its shape, so you get tender pieces rather than purée. British-grown Cox, Braeburn, Jazz and Pink Lady are all lovely here, with a good balance of sweet and sharp. Granny Smith gives a tarter, more classic apple-pie flavour and you may want a little extra maple syrup on top.
I’d avoid Bramleys for this one. They’re brilliant in a pie, but they collapse into a fluffy purée as soon as they’re cooked, so you lose those lovely chunks of apple. British apples are at their best from September to November, so this is the perfect time of year to make these.
How to Serve Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Serve the oats straight from the fridge, topped with a handful of pecans or walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. If you prefer them warm, tip them into a saucepan with a splash of milk and warm through gently for a few minutes (or pop them in the microwave). It’s like having a bowl of apple pie porridge without any of the stirring. A spoonful of dairy-free yoghurt on top makes it extra creamy.
Other Overnight Oats & Autumn Breakfasts To Try
Looking for more make-ahead breakfast ideas? Try these:
- Matcha & Coconut Overnight Porridge with Fresh Figs
- Vegan High Protein Breakfasts
- Fig & Nut Energy Bites
- Cottage Cheese Fig Toast with Walnuts, Mint & Honey
- All Autumn Recipes
Ingredient Notes
- Apples: choose an apple that holds its shape when cooked. Cox, Braeburn, Jazz or Pink Lady all work beautifully. You’ll need about 2 medium apples for 250 g.
- Dark brown sugar: gives the apples that rich, toffee-like, caramelised flavour. Light brown sugar or coconut sugar work too.
- Cinnamon and mixed spice: cinnamon goes with the apples, and mixed spice goes into the oats. Mixed spice is a British storecupboard staple (a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and ginger). If you are in the US you can use Apple Pie Spice mix instead.
- Jumbo rolled oats: larger and thicker than standard porridge oats, so they soften overnight but still keep a little chew. Regular rolled oats are fine, but avoid instant oats, which turn mushy. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Dairy-free milk: I use oat milk for creaminess, but almond, soya or any milk you like will work. Unsweetened is best, as the apples bring plenty of sweetness.
- Chia seeds: they soak up the milk and thicken the oats into a lovely creamy, pudding-like texture. They also add extra fibre.
- Vanilla: a little vanilla extract rounds everything off and makes it taste even more like dessert.
- Pecans or walnuts: for crunch on top, and walnuts bring omega-3s too.
- Maple syrup: a final drizzle just before serving. Add as much or as little as you like.
How to Make Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Start with the apples. Peel, core and dice them into even pieces, about 2 cm. Tip them into a saucepan, then toss in the dark brown sugar and cinnamon until every piece is coated.
Cook over a medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until the sugar melts and the apples turn soft, sticky and caramelised. I tend to slightly undercook mine so they keep a little bite. Keep in mind that they’ll soften a bit more overnight. Take the pan off the heat and leave the apples to cool while you make the oats.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the jumbo oats, dairy-free milk, chia seeds, mixed spice and vanilla until everything is well combined.
Now it’s time to layer. Spoon a layer of the caramelised apples into the bottom of each jar, followed by a layer of oats, then repeat until both are used up, finishing with apples on top. Pop on the lids and place the jars in the fridge overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
The next morning, top with a handful of pecans or walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup, and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Too thick in the morning? Stir in a splash of milk until you get the consistency you like.
- Taste before you sweeten: the caramelised apples are already sweet, so you may not need much maple syrup.
- Soak for at least 4 hours: overnight is best for the creamiest texture.
Variations and Swaps
- Add protein: stir a scoop of vanilla protein powder or a couple of spoonfuls of yoghurt into the oats, with a splash more milk. For more ideas, see my vegan high-protein breakfasts.
- Add a crumble topping: sprinkle over some granola just before serving for an apple crumble twist.
- Swap the fruit: try pears instead of apples, or a mix of both, or add a handful of blackberries for an apple and blackberry version.
- Add dried fruit: a few raisins or sultanas stirred into the apples while they cook is very apple-pie.
- Nut-free: top with toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead of nuts.
Storage and Make-ahead Tips
These apple pie overnight oats are made to be prepped ahead. Kept in sealed jars or airtight containers in the fridge, they’ll keep for up to 3 days. The oats will keep softening as they sit, so they’re at their best in the first couple of days. Add the nuts and maple syrup just before serving so they stay crunchy.
You can also cook the caramelised apples up to 3 days in advance and store them in the fridge, ready to layer. I don’t recommend freezing overnight oats, as the texture becomes watery once thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
At least 4 hours, but overnight (around 8 hours) gives the creamiest result. The chia seeds and oats need time to absorb the milk and soften.
Yes. Tip them into a small saucepan with a splash of milk and warm gently for a few minutes, stirring, or microwave in a bowl in 30-second bursts. It’s a lovely option on cold mornings.
Up to 3 days in a sealed jar or airtight container. Add toppings just before serving.
Yes, standard rolled porridge oats work well and give a slightly softer, creamier texture. Avoid instant oats, which go mushy, and steel-cut oats, which don’t soften enough without cooking.
Apples that hold their shape when cooked like Cox, Braeburn, Jazz, Pink Lady or Granny Smith. Avoid Bramleys, which break down into a purée
Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often processed alongside wheat, so use oats labelled certified gluten-free if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
They make a nourishing breakfast as part of a balanced diet. Oats, apples and chia seeds all contribute fibre, the apples count towards your 5 A Day, and one serving comes in at 271 calories (see the nutrition panel for the full breakdown).
I hope you enjoy this apple pie overnight oat recipe as much as I do. If you make it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Save this recipe for later and share it with friends and family looking for healthy breakfast ideas.
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Watch How To Make This Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g apple
- 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
FOR THE OVERNIGHT OATS:
- 50 g jumbo rolled oats
- 180 g dairy-free milk
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- ½ tsp vanilla
TOPPINGS:
- handful pecans or walnuts
- drizzle maple syrup
Instructions
- Peel, core and dice the apples.250 g apple
- Place the apples in a pan. Toss in sugar and cinnamon.2 Tbsp dark brown sugar, ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Stirring frequently, cook the apples under medium heat until soft and caramelised (I tend to undercook the apples so they have a slight bite). Set aside when done.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, dairy-free milk, chia seeds, mixed spice and vanilla until everything is well blended.50 g jumbo rolled oats, 180 g dairy-free milk, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp mixed spice, ½ tsp vanilla
- Alternating layers, divide the apples and oat mixture between two jars.
- Cover and place overnight in the fridge.
- Enjoy the next mroning, topped with a handful of pecans or walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup.handful pecans or walnuts, drizzle maple syrup
Notes
- Use apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Cox, Braeburn or Jazz.
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats.
- Keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge. Add toppings just before serving.
- To serve warm, heat gently in a pan or microwave with a splash of milk.
Nutritional Information
Find this recipe online:
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/apple-pie-overnight-oats/
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