Easy Apple Pie Overnight Oats Recipe

This easy Apple Pie Overnight Oats Recipe is the perfect wholesome, healthy breakfast and meal prep idea for those busy mornings! Made with old fashioned oats, chia seeds and warm apple pie spices these are sure to be family favourite. You can also make these breakfast oat-sy apple pies in a jar ahead of time!

Looking for more easy breakfast recipes? Try my Green Banana Porridge, my Creamy Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge or my Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge for more simple, filling and wholesome breakfast recipes!

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

Coming at you strong with yet another Mr. Skillet (aka my husband) recipe! This Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats meal is the perfect make ahead breakfast for busy mornings and mornings in general.

It’s one of the best vegan gluten-free breakfast recipes in our rotation of early morning meals. And yes, thanks to the years 2020 – 2022 (google it it you don’t know what I’m referring to), many of us are now working from home!

This still does not negate from having busy mornings; rushing to meet deadlines, make the zoom conference meeting, getting the kids up, walking the dog etc.

If you’re anything like me, I prefer easing into my day, and not having to worry about “what’s for breakfast”. These jars of goodness are so nice to grab and go (wherever go is). The best part is they are healthy, vegan friendly, gluten-free, and oh so satisfying!

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

• Versatile – this is a simple recipe that you can customize to your liking. Add or swap the fruit, nuts, dried fruit etc. that you prefer.
• Easy to Make – super simple and easy steps to make this recipe with ease!
• Great for Meal Prepping – make a large batch and divide into smaller containers for the perfect grab and go breakfast.

What are Oats and Oatmeal?

Oats are a form of whole grain food. There are many varieties of oats including whole oat groats which is the most intact and whole form however, take the longest to cook.

More commonly there are steel cut oats, rolled or old-fashioned oats, quick oats, and instant oat varieties. Instant (quick) oats are the most highly processed variety and take the least amount of time to cook.

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook method of preparing oatmeal. You soak your oatmeal in liquid, most commonly milk or milk alternative i.e. this homemade almond milk or oat milk, instead of cooking on the stovetop or in the microwave.

By soaking your oatmeal in milk, the oats soak up enough liquid until softened enough to eat. It creates a creamy, pudding or porridge type consistency that’s healthy and delicious!

Are Overnight Oats Healthy?

There are a considerable amount of health benefits overnight oats provide from their rich fiber and protein content. Oats also have many minerals and vitamins such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium. This makes oats one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can consume.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

• Old Fashioned (Rolled) Oats – this is a must, it’s the star of the show. Start with old fashioned overnight oats, not instant or quick oats as the consistency is better with the former.
• Chia Seeds – these seeds are full of nutrients, and are an added bonus to these grab and go breakfast jars. They aid in giving oats the pudding like texture, and of course add to the deliciousness of it all!
• Apple Pie Spice Blend – this blend of spices is what gives your overnight oats the apple pie flavour, without the guilt of “eating the whole pie in one sitting”. Here’s an example of one I use; Club House Apple Pie Spice Blend.
• Ripe Bananas – they add a delicious feel of breakfast to this recipe. They are also high in potassium and provide a natural sweetness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract – this extract enhances all the other flavours in the recipe.
• Milk – this is the liquid used to soften your oats. I always prefer a nut milk like almond and oat. However you can use whole, 2%, or skim milk and even water! Let’s not forget coconut milk, and cashew milk!
• Apples – any variety of apple will do, I like using Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith.
• Optional Toppings – feel free to add almonds, walnuts and/or other nuts, raisins, cranberries, apricots and/or other dried fruit. If you’re interested in a sweetener, add honey or pure maple syrup!

See My Story Below for Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Make Apple Pie Spice At Home

Combine 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon with 2 teaspoons each ground nutmeg and allspice.

Recipe Credit – How to Make Your Own Apple Pie Spice Substitute by the Pioneer Woman.

Gluten-Free Overnight Oats

For this recipe, I used gluten free oats. Oats are often processed in factories and plants with wheat or other gluten-containing grains which can cause cross-contamination. If you have gluten sensitivity just ensure your old fashioned oats are truly 100% gluten-free and proceed with the recipe as noted.

How to Make This Recipe

1. Mash Bananas – mash your bananas with a fork in a medium sized bowl.

2. Add Remaining Ingredients – add in all the remaining ingredients; old fashioned oats, chia seeds, apple pie spice blend, apples, pure vanilla extract, milk and mix well to combine.

3. Divide and Refrigerate – divide the oats mixture equally amongst 3 half-sized mason jars or other individual storage containers. Seal jar/container and refrigerate overnight. Store up to 5 days.

4. Add Toppings and Enjoy – when ready to eat, add additional toppings i.e. fresh apples, almonds, walnuts and/or other nuts, raisins, cranberries, apricots and/or other dried fruit with a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Soaking Time – although the name suggests overnight, you can make this recipe in as little as 2 to 4 hours, however I recommend at least 8 hours.
• Milk – my preference is using unsweetened vanilla oat or almond milk, however you can use any type of milk for this recipe.
• Sweetener – you can use honey or any other another natural liquid sweetener like maple syrup for added sweetness. For a sugar alternative, you can also stir some stevia or monk fruit sweetener as well.
• Apple Pie Spice – if you don’t have this particular blend, you can also use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

The best thing about overnight oats, are how versatile they are! You can add and swap toppings and mix-ins to switch up the flavour and texture to your liking. Here’s some of my favorite toppings, substitutions and variations to add to and switch up my oats:

• Nut Butter – a little creamy nut butter on top always serves as a nice touch. Any kind will work such as peanut, almond, cashew etc.
• Fresh or Dried Fruit – fresh apples and bananas are added into the oats for this recipe, but you can always add additional. Raisins, cranberries, apricots and/or other dried or fresh fruit will be lovely!
• Granola – this adds a wonderful taste and texture to these oats, especially ones that are flavoured and mixed with nuts add a great crunch.
• Yogurt and Jams – this is a great way to add more nutrients, texture, and flavour to overnight oats and the options are endless!
• Nuts and Seeds – give a nice crunch, you can use anything your heart desires such as almonds, walnuts and/or other nuts

Storage Tips

Overnight oats when stored in an airtight jar or container can last for up to 4 to 5 days in your fridge which makes them perfect for meal prepping!

To store, add oats mixture to sealable, airtight glass mason jars or something similar and refrigerate. If needed, add in a splash of milk right before serving to loosen the oats up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for More Healthy Breakfast and Apple Recipes

• The Best Apple Butter BBQ Ribs
• Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter
• Smoked Cheddar and Bacon Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Apples & Onion
• Spiced Autumn Apple Sangria
• Gluten Free Banana Oat Protein Pancakes
• No Bake Vanilla Protein Balls

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