Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 1 medium apple, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional but recommended)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- Extra diced fresh apples
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Granola for crunch
- Drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter
- Raisins or dried cranberries
- Extra cinnamon sprinkle
- Caramel sauce (for indulgence)
Instructions
- Prepare the apple: Wash your apple thoroughly. Core and dice it into small ¼-inch pieces. You can leave the skin on for extra fiber and nutrients, or peel it if you prefer a softer texture. Set aside.
- Mix the base: In a medium bowl or directly in your storage jars, combine the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon, apple pie spice (if using), chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract, and salt. Stir everything together thoroughly until completely combined and no dry oats remain at the bottom.
- Add the apples: Gently fold in the diced apple pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture. Reserve a few apple pieces for topping in the morning if you want a prettier presentation.
- Portion into jars: If you mixed in a bowl, divide the mixture evenly between two mason jars or airtight containers. If you mixed directly in jars, simply secure the lids tightly. Give each jar a final stir to ensure even distribution.
- Refrigerate overnight: Cover your jars and place them in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight (8-12 hours) for the best flavor and texture. The oats will absorb the liquid and transform into creamy, spoonable perfection while the apple flavors infuse throughout.
- Finish and serve: In the morning, give the oats a good stir to redistribute everything. The apples will have softened slightly and released some juice. Top with any additional toppings you desire—fresh apple pieces, nuts, granola, or a drizzle of nut butter. Eat cold straight from the fridge, or warm in the microwave for 45-60 seconds if you prefer a warm, apple pie-like breakfast.
Notes
- Apple varieties: Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work best. Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious that turn mushy.
- Texture adjustment: For thinner oats, stir in extra milk one tablespoon at a time in the morning. For thicker oats, add an extra tablespoon of chia seeds or reduce the milk slightly.
- Sweetness level: Adjust the maple syrup based on your apple’s sweetness and personal preference. Sweeter apples need less added sweetener.
- Vegan version: Use plant-based milk, non-dairy yogurt (or skip yogurt and add extra milk), and choose maple syrup instead of honey.
- Protein boost: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or increase Greek yogurt to ¾ cup for extra protein.
- Make it indulgent: Top with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of brown sugar for special occasions.
- Storage: These stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for weekly meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (overnight refrigeration required)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook, Refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar (approximately 1½ cups)
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 8mg