These applesauce overnight oats are the perfect fall breakfast! They only take 5 minutes to prep, are completely customizable and are great for when you're on the go. Top it off with some fresh apples and nut butter, and you've got yourself a healthy and delicious treat!
I always get so excited when fall rolls around so we can get festive with flavors. I mean, who doesn't want their breakfast to taste like apple pie?! And, better yet, who doesn't want their apple pie inspired breakfast to be good for them?!
Overnight oatmeal is a no-cook method of softening oats - it's so simple and is a an oatmeal recipe the whole family will love. Similar to chia pudding, these overnight oats with applesauce are a quick and easy to make-ahead breakfast that will be waiting in the fridge for you when you wake up!
You can make one serving in as little as five minutes or make a whole batch to have delicious breakfast for the week ahead in nearly the same amount of time.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- No cooking required! Instead of cooking oatmeal on the stovetop or microwave, we'll be soaking the oats with milk overnight.
- Quick & easy to make: you only need 5 minutes to prep these oats and since all the ingredients are mixed and stored in the same container, you only need 1 jar!
- Perfect for meal prep: because you can quickly prep large batches, they're great to prep ahead of time to save time on busy mornings or to grab and take on the go.
- Healthy and nutritious: between the rolled oats and optional chia seeds, you'll have a nutrient-packed, healthy breakfast!
- Uses pantry-staple ingredients: you only need 6 simple ingredients, all of which you likely already have on hand.
Equipment
You don't need anything fancy to whip together this simple overnight oats recipe:
- Sealable container: 16-ounce jars, or any containers with a lid to make and store the overnight oats in
- Spoon: to combine the ingredients
I don't recommend anything smaller than a 16oz jar, as you likely won't be able to close it and it may overflow, especially once the toppings are added. The 16oz jar will allow room for toppings, the lid to close and take on the go!
Ingredients
- Oats: I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant oats (quick oats) or steel cut oats. To keep this recipe gluten-free, make sure you're getting certified gluten-free oats!
- Non-Dairy Milk: You can use any plant-based milk you like! Soy milk is my personal favorite but oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk will work perfectly to get creamy oats. Whatever milk you use, just make sure it's plain and unsweetened.
- Applesauce: The main flavor component of the oats! You can either use store-bought or your own applesauce. You can use regular applesauce or use cinnamon applesauce to really get that apple cinnamon flavor (just skip adding the teaspoon cinnamon when instructed). In general, I recommend using unsweetened applesauce.
- Chia Seeds: totally optional, but great for a boost in nutrition, added healthy fats and for a thicker consistency. Chia seeds come in both black and white seeds, but you can use either, as there is no real difference!
- Pure Maple Syrup: to act as our natural sweetener. For the best flavor, I recommend using real maple syrup as opposed to the highly-processed versions. You can also use agave syrup, brown sugar or coconut sugar instead if desired.
- Vanilla Extract: a must!
- Salt and Cinnamon: just a pinch of salt and cinnamon for added flavor.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations & Substitutions
I love this overnight oats recipe as is but here are a few variations you can try that will work perfectly!
- Use a different type of dairy-free milk! This recipe works great with unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, rice milk, coconut milk, or even regular milk, if you prefer.
- Add extra protein by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder. If your protein powder is already sweetened, skip the maple syrup to avoid making it too sweet. Also, with more dry ingredients, you may need to add another tablespoon or two of milk.
- Instead of maple syrup you could use a different sweetener such as monk fruit sweetener, agave, date syrup, vegan honey, coconut sugar, stevia or cane sugar. You could also leave out the sweetener entirely but I do not recommend it, as matcha powder and chia seeds have a more bitter taste.
- Hate chia seeds? Leave them out entirely or replace them with ground flaxseeds or hemp seeds.
- Instead of applesauce, you can use pumpkin puree or greek yogurt.
This recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations than the ones listed above. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar or container with a lid and stir until well combined. Let sit for 5 minutes then stir once more to ensure the oats or chia seeds (if using) don't clump up or sink to the bottom.
- Seal the lid on the jar or container and place it in the refrigerator. Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours, to allow the overnight oats to set.
The next morning, or whenever you're ready to eat, remove from the fridge, add a splash of milk if they thickened too much then add your preferred toppings, and enjoy!
Topping & Add-In Ideas
You can leave this recipe as is and it'll be delicious, or you can top it with one or more of these suggestions (or whatever your favorite toppings are):
Add-ins
- Spices (apple pie spice, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger)
- Vanilla protein powder
- Chocolate protein powder or cocoa powder
Toppings
- Coconut cream
- Vegan vanilla yogurt
- Cooked apples or raw apples
- Fresh fruit or berries like bananas, mangoes, pears, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries
- Coconut flakes
- Slivered almonds, pecans or walnuts
- Nut butter - almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter are perfect!
- Cacao nibs or chocolate chips
- Granola
If adding protein powder or additional spices, mix them in with the dry ingredients, prior to adding the liquid ingredients.
Expert Tips
- Whisk again! Make sure you whisk all the ingredients very well initially, and then again after 5 minutes before refrigerating. This will ensure that you don't get clumps of oats or chia seeds (if you're using them).
- For the best texture refrigerate overnight. This will let the oats absorb as much milk as they possibly can and will give the best texture.
- If you don't have the time to let it set overnight, let thicken for at least 2-4 hours. The oats and chia seeds need time to plump up and thicken!
- To thicken overnight oats, add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds or ground flax seed. To thin out overnight oats, add an extra splash of milk.
- Wait to add toppings! Take the extra few seconds in the morning to add the fresh toppings.
- Use the appropriate jar: when using an 8-ounce jar, the oats and toppings will fill it to the top, making it hard to close the lid. A 16-ounce jar provides enough space for both toppings and the lid to securely close. If you plan on taking the oats on the go, the 16-ounce jar is the best option.
Storage
Refrigerator: These overnight oats can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days. When you're ready to eat, give it a good stir then add your preferred toppings.
Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer-friendly bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing this without any toppings. When ready to enjoy, allow to thaw in the fridge overnight, mix well then add your toppings!
FAQ
Yes, if you prefer a hot breakfast you can microwave the overnight oats until warmed through before enjoying! If needed, add an additional tablespoon of milk so it doesn't thicken up too much.
No, you don't have to but doing so gives the oats more time to soften and thicken up to be more creamy. I'd recommend letting them set for at least 4 hours, if you can't let them soak overnight.
You can use either of them but it will change the amount of time they need to set for! Quick-cooking oats don't need to be refrigerated as long but you'll need more of them whereas steel-cut oats will need to be soaked longer and will be dense and chewy in comparison.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Applesauce Overnight Oats Recipe
Equipment
- Sealable Jars or Containers
Ingredients
- ½ cup (40 g) old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup (120 g) plant-based milk unsweetened
- ¼ cup (62.5 g) applesauce unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) chia seeds or flaxseed meal optional
- 1-2 tablespoons (20-40 g) maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar or container and stir until well combined.½ cup old-fashioned oats, ½ cup plant-based milk, ¼ cup applesauce, 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed meal, 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Seal the lid on the jar or container and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it for at least 4 hours.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Allie says
Yum! Made these for meal prep this week and they were so good! I added some raisins too and it was delicious!
Lauren Casolaro says
I'm so glad you loved this, Allie!! Raisins were a great idea.
Melissa says
This is such a great fall breakfast! It’s so flavorful, will definitely be making a bigger batch next week
Lauren Casolaro says
So happy you loved it!