My new fall breakfast obsession is these Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Applesauce! Made up of simple ingredients and takes just 5 minutes of prep. Easy to make, satisfying, and completely customizable.
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Overnight oats are the no-cook method of making oatmeal.
Instead of cooking oatmeal on the stovetop or microwave, you soak the oats with milk overnight. This method creates a soft and creamy bowl of oats.
They are perfect to take on the go or save time in the morning!
These applesauce overnight oats are dairy-free, and vegan, and can easily be made gluten-free as well by using certified gluten-free oats.
Love this recipe? Try these too: Overnight Oats without Yogurt, Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit, and Overnight Oats with Almond Milk.
Ingredients
These applesauce overnight oats are spiced with cinnamon and are made up of minimal ingredients like rolled oats, non-dairy milk, and chia seeds.
Whip up these oats in under 5 minutes and you can have a delicious breakfast prepped and ready to go all week!
Old-Fashioned Oats: This recipe uses Old-Fashioned Oats also known as Rolled Oats instead of quick oats. Quick oats will be thinner and have a mushy consistency.
Plant-Based Milk: Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or whichever plant-based milk you enjoy most will work.
Chia Seeds: Adding chia seeds helps with thickness and creaminess. You can replace chia seeds with flaxseeds as well.
Applesauce: This is a fall-inspired overnight oat recipe and the applesauce brings a lot of good flavor. Combined with the cinnamon, it's heaven!
Maple Syrup: Just a touch for added sweetness. Pure maple syrup is best!
Cinnamon + Add-ins: Always add a pinch of salt to balance flavors- cinnamon is a must and vanilla extract is excellent as well.
Helpful Equipment
You don't need anything fancy to whip together this simple cinnamon overnight oats recipe.
I recommend using either 8-ounce jars, 16-ounce jars, or containers with lids.
An 8oz jar will be filled to the top with oats and the toppings will overflow a bit so the jar won't close whereas a 16oz jar will allow room for toppings and the lid to close. The 16oz jar is preferred if you take the oats on the go.
How to Make This Recipe
The full recipe is detailed in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the old-fashioned oats to a jar or container with a lid.
Step 2: Stir in the chia seeds, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Step 3: Stir in the applesauce, maple syrup, oat milk, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 5-6 hours.
Step 5: If it thickened too much, add a splash of oat milk.
Step 6: Add desired toppings and serve.
Substitutions & Additions
Feel free to change things up depending on what you have on hand or go wild with your favorite toppings to create a unique breakfast experience each morning.
Old-Fashioned Oats: Quick oats will be thinner and have a mushy consistency but will work in a pinch.
Oat Milk: Oat milk is my personal favorite but almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk will work as well.
Applesauce: You can make your own applesauce or omit it and use vegan yogurt.
Chia Seeds: If you don't enjoy chia seeds, try this recipe for Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds instead.
Pure Maple Syrup: Brown sugar, agave syrup, date syrup, or coconut sugar will work.
Topping Ideas
This overnight oats recipe is perfect for customizing to your preferences. Keep it simple with chopped fruit or get creative and serve with stewed apples.
Cooked Apples: Sauté an apple in brown sugar and cinnamon until soft and caramelized.
Caramelized Bananas: Sauté banana slices in a little butter and brown sugar until caramelized.
Fresh Fruit: Add a burst of freshness and natural sweetness with sliced bananas, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), apple slices, or diced peaches.
Dried Fruit: Sprinkle chopped dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, apricots, or dates for a chewy, sweet contrast.
Nuts: Toasted nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews provide a satisfying crunch.
Yogurt: A dollop of vegan yogurt adds creaminess and a tangy contrast.
Nut Butter: Drizzle some almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter for a creamy, nutty flavor.
Granola: Top your oats with a small handful of granola for extra crunch and texture.
Tips & Tricks
Use the appropriate jar: When using an 8-ounce jar, the oats and toppings will fill it to the top, making it difficult to close the lid. But a 16-ounce jar provides enough space for both toppings and the lid to securely close. If you plan on taking the oats with you while on the go, the 16-ounce jar is the preferred choice.
Wait to add toppings: This is important! Take the extra few seconds in the morning to add the toppings fresh.
Salt your oats! I know this sounds weird but trust me. It will help balance and bring out the flavors and won't make your oatmeal salty.
Storage
Store your overnight oats in an airtight jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold and straight from the fridge, unlike traditional warm oatmeal. But they can be heated in the microwave if you'd prefer them to be warm.
Yes, you can absolutely make overnight oats without milk. I have a recipe for Overnight Oats with Water.
Yes, you can absolutely make overnight oats without milk. I have a recipe for Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit.
Yes, but they tend to fall apart and get mushy faster. If you want to use quick oats, eat them within the first day.
More Overnight Oats Recipes
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Recipe
Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Applesauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup Old-Fashioned Oats
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons Oat Milk unsweetened
- ¼ cup Applesauce
- 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract optional
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Add the old-fashioned oats, oat milk, applesauce, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to a jar or container with a lid and stir until well combined.
- Seal the lid on the jar or container and place it in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it for at least 5-6 hours but leaving it overnight yields the best results.
- If your overnight oats are too thick, add a splash of oat milk until your desired consistency is reached.
- Add any toppings you enjoy and serve! I topped mine with cooked apples and slivered almonds.
- To make cooked apples: Dice one apple and add to a pan on medium heat with sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon then cook until soft and caramelized.
Notes
Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. Please know that I may receive a percentage or commission from a link included on this page, at no extra cost to you. I will only ever recommend a product that I have used and believe has substantial value to my readers.
Anonymous says
Really enjoyed this - made it exactly per recipie
Liv says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 🙂