Sweet and creamy, these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats are infused with warm cinnamon spice and juicy apples. It's a tasty, no-fuss breakfast that's ready when you are.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love this Gluten-free Overnight Oats Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
• 🔪 How to Make Overnight Oats
• 💡 Tips for Making the Best Overnight Oats
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• What Not to Add in Overnight Oats
• Are Overnight Oats Healthy?
• Is Oatmeal Gluten-free?
• 🍽️ More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love this Gluten-free Overnight Oats Recipe

• Sweet, creamy oatmeal
• Fresh, crisp apples and cinnamon flavor
• Perfect breakfast meal prep using all healthy ingredients
• Gluten-free and kid-friendly
• Vegan and Dairy-free options
• Great for a grab-and-go breakfast

When you wake up to a jar of these apple cinnamon overnight oats, it's like getting the perfect head start on your day. The oats have had all night to soak up those warm cinnamon and apple flavors.

These oats are so sweet and creamy, it's almost like having dessert for breakfast, but with a healthy twist. And the best part? They just take a bit of mixing the night before, and you've got breakfast on the go the next day.

A healthy breakfast doesn't have to be complicated, especially when you can make it in advance. If you're looking for other breakfast meal prep recipes, check out these gluten-free Jalapeno Popper Egg Cups or this easy, low-carb Breakfast Casserole.

🛒 Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

• Rolled oats
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Greek yogurt
• Red apple
• Chopped walnuts
• Chia seeds
• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Box grater
• 16 ounce jars

🔪 How to Make Overnight Oats

Take ½ the apple and grate it using a box grater. Take the other half and dice it for the topping.

Add the grated apple, oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a mixing bowl.

Pour the almond milk over the top and mix until well combined.

Take two 16 ounce jars and add half the mixture to each.

Then cover and allow them to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.

Right before serving, top with the reserved diced apple, toasted walnuts, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the top.

💡 Tips for Making the Best Overnight Oats

• Use the right type of oats: Rolled oats work best for overnight oats. Quick oats will become too mushy, and steel-cut oats won't soften up enough.

• Liquid-to-oat ratio: I prefer a 1:1.5 ratio. That means one cup of oats to 1.5 cups of liquid, such as milk and yogurt. This ratio creates a creamy consistency that’s not too runny.

• Choose healthy sweeteners: Organic maple syrup, honey, or even mashed bananas can add the perfect amount of natual sweetness.

• Individual servings: To make it even easier, prepare the oats in separate containers for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Overnight oats can be stored in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. The oats will soften and soak up the flavors over time. So, if the oats have thickened too much, you can add a splash more almond milk to loosen them up.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Flaxseeds: Give your oats an extra boost of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids with a sprinkle of flaxseeds.

• Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries are always a great addition.

• Seeds or nuts: Swap out the walnuts with pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans for other healthy ways to add crunch.  

• Sliced banana: Bananas are an awesome way to add natural sweetness and potassium.

• Coconut flakes: Give the oats a tropical twist with unsweetened coconut flakes.

• Dried raisins or cranberries: Raisins and dried cranberries add little bites of chewy sweetness to the oats.

• Nut butter: Add more fat by swirling in almond butter or all-natural peanut butter.

• Pears: Swap the apples with fresh, juicy pears!

For a sweet and delicious twist, try these thick and creamy carrot cake overnight oats! If you like strawberries, try these strawberry cheesecake overnight oats.

What Not to Add in Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are really hard to mess up. But, here are a few ingredients you should avoid:

• Citrus fruits or melons: Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits or melons can make the oats overly watery which ruins the texture.

• Leafy greens: While you can add leafy greens like spinach or kale, they do not soften much overnight which can alter the taste and texture.

• Super sour fruits: Sour fruits like sour cherries might be too overpowering for the oats.

• Sugary granola or cereals: Adding sugary cereals defeats the purpose of making a wholesome breakfast. Instead, you can add some of this Gluten-free granola or this Keto Coconut Granola.

• Too much salt: While a pinch of salt can enhance flavors, excessive salt can overpower the neutral-flavored oats.

Are Overnight Oats Healthy?

Overnight oats are typically made with whole ingredients like oats, fruits, nuts, seeds, and yogurt, all of which provide essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Just be mindful of the types of sweeteners you add and that they're a healthy option to add to your mornings.

Is Oatmeal Gluten-free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free. However, some brands of oats can often come into contact with gluten-containing grains during processing. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it's important to choose a brand of certified gluten-free oats.

Also be sure to try this vegan apple crisp that has the same great combination of apple, oat and cinnamon flavors!

🍽️ More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

• Mango Smoothie Bowl
• Italian Sausage and Peppers Frittata
• Keto Eggs Benedict
• Triple Berry Smoothie
• Gluten-free Biscuits
• Keto Buttermilk Pancakes
• Homemade Keto Cinnamon Rolls