Apple Pie Overnight Oats Recipe

These Apple Pie Overnight Oats combine creamy cinnamon oats with tender brown sugar apples for an easy breakfast that tastes like apple pie. Everything can be prepared the night before, making this recipe perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, back-to-school breakfasts, or a healthy fall treat.

Each jar is filled with old-fashioned oats, creamy yogurt, chia seeds, warm spices, and homemade apple pie topping. Enjoy the oats cold or warm them in the microwave for a cozy breakfast.

Recipe Summary

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Chill time: At least 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 18 minutes
Servings: 2

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats

Tastes like homemade apple pie

Easy make-ahead breakfast

Thick and creamy texture

Made with simple ingredients

Excellent for fall meal prep

Can be served cold or warm

Easy to customize

No oven required

Ingredients

For the Apple Pie Topping

1 large apple, peeled and diced

1 teaspoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Pinch of salt

1 tablespoon water

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Overnight Oats

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup milk or oat milk

½ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1–2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings

Chopped nuts or nut butters

Granola

Greek yogurt

Maple syrup

Cinnamon

Whipped cream

How to Make Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Step 1: Prepare the Apple

Peel the apple if desired, remove the core, and cut it into small cubes.

Keep the pieces relatively small so they soften quickly and are easy to eat with the oats.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Pie Topping

Melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Add the diced apple, maple syrup or brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water.

Stir until the apples are evenly coated.

Cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become tender but still hold their shape.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Let the apple mixture cool before adding it to the oats.

Step 3: Mix the Overnight Oats

Add the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a medium mixing bowl.

Stir thoroughly until the yogurt is incorporated and no large clumps remain.

Let the mixture stand for approximately 5 minutes, then stir it again. This helps prevent the chia seeds from settling at the bottom.

Step 4: Assemble the Jars

Divide half of the oat mixture between two jars or airtight containers.

Spoon some of the cooked apples over the oats.

Add the remaining oat mixture and finish with the remaining apple pie topping.

For more defined layers, refrigerate the oats and apples separately, then assemble them before serving.

Step 5: Refrigerate

Cover the jars tightly and refrigerate for at least four hours, preferably overnight.

The oats and chia seeds will absorb the liquid and create a thick, creamy texture.

Step 6: Serve

Stir the overnight oats before eating.

If the mixture is thicker than desired, add one or two tablespoons of milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Add chopped pecans, granola, yogurt, cinnamon, or an additional drizzle of maple syrup.

How to Serve Overnight Oats Warm

Remove the lid and transfer the oats to a microwave-safe bowl or jar.

Microwave for 45–60 seconds, stir, and continue heating in 15-second intervals until warm.

Add a splash of milk after heating if the oats become too thick.

Do not microwave a sealed jar or a jar with a metal lid.

Recipe Tips

Use rolled oats. They soften without becoming as mushy as quick oats.

Cool the apples first. Adding very hot apples directly to yogurt can change its texture.

Stir twice. Stir the oat mixture again after five minutes to distribute the chia seeds.

Adjust the sweetness. Use one tablespoon of maple syrup for lightly sweetened oats or two tablespoons for a sweeter apple pie flavor.

Cut the apples small. Smaller pieces cook faster and distribute more evenly.

Add granola before serving. It will lose its crunch if refrigerated overnight.

Add more milk when needed. The oats will continue thickening as they sit.

Use an airtight container. This keeps the oats fresh and prevents them from absorbing refrigerator odors.

Recipe Variations

Apple Pie Protein Overnight Oats

Add one scoop of vanilla protein powder. Increase the milk by approximately ¼ cup to prevent the oats from becoming too thick.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Without Yogurt

Leave out the Greek yogurt and increase the milk to 1½ cups. The oats will be less creamy but still delicious.

Caramel Apple Overnight Oats

Add a light drizzle of caramel sauce before serving. For a lighter option, use date caramel or extra maple syrup.

Apple Crisp Overnight Oats

Top each jar with crunchy granola and chopped pecans immediately before serving.

Vegan Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Use oat milk, dairy-free yogurt, maple syrup, and plant-based butter.

Unsweetened Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Leave out the maple syrup in the oats and use a naturally sweet apple such as Fuji or Gala. The cooked apples will provide most of the sweetness.

Best Apples for Overnight Oats

Choose an apple that holds its shape when cooked and provides enough flavor to stand out against the creamy oats.

Good options include:

Honeycrisp

Granny Smith

Pink Lady

Gala

Fuji

Braeburn

Granny Smith apples create a tart apple pie flavor, while Honeycrisp and Gala apples produce a naturally sweeter topping.

Can I Use Quick Oats?

Quick oats can be used, but they will create a softer, more blended texture. Reduce the milk slightly and check the consistency after two hours.

Steel-cut oats are not recommended as a direct substitute because they require more liquid and significantly more soaking time.

Meal-Prep Instructions

Prepare several jars at once and refrigerate them for quick breakfasts throughout the week.

For the best texture, store the cooked apple topping separately and add it when serving. This prevents excess liquid from making the oats too soft.

Add granola, nuts, or other crunchy toppings immediately before eating.

How to Store Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Store the oats in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to four days.

The oats will become softer and thicker each day. Stir in additional milk before serving if necessary.

The cooked apple topping can be refrigerated separately for up to four days.

Can You Freeze Overnight Oats?

Yes. Freeze the oats without crunchy toppings in a freezer-safe container for up to one month.

Leave space at the top of the container because the mixture may expand.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving. Add additional milk as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you eat overnight oats cold?

Overnight oats are traditionally eaten cold, but you can warm them in the microwave if you prefer a cozy breakfast.

Do the apples need to be cooked?

No. You can use raw diced or grated apples. However, cooking the apples with cinnamon and maple syrup creates a softer texture and a stronger apple pie flavor.

Why are my overnight oats too thick?

The oats and chia seeds continue absorbing liquid as they sit. Stir in additional milk one tablespoon at a time until the texture becomes creamy again.

Why are my overnight oats watery?

The oats may need additional chilling time. Stir the mixture and refrigerate it for another one or two hours. You can also mix in another teaspoon of chia seeds.

Can I make this recipe without chia seeds?

Yes. Leave out the chia seeds and reduce the milk by approximately ¼ cup. The oats may have a slightly softer consistency.

Can I use applesauce?

Yes. Stir ¼–½ cup of unsweetened applesauce into the oat mixture. You can use it with or instead of the cooked apple topping.

How long do overnight oats need to soak?

The oats need at least four hours, but soaking them for eight hours or overnight produces the creamiest texture.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Overnight oats can provide fiber, protein, and whole grains. The final nutrition will depend on the milk, yogurt, sweetener, and toppings used.

Estimated Nutrition

Per serving without optional toppings:

Calories: 390

Carbohydrates: 65g

Protein: 13g

Fat: 9g

Saturated fat: 3g

Fiber: 9g

Sugar: 24g

Sodium: 150mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the milk, yogurt, sweetener, apple, and serving size.