Overnight Oats Cinnamon Apples (Printable Version)

Wholesome oats paired with cinnamon-spiced apples and crunchy walnuts for a nourishing breakfast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Cinnamon Apples

08 - 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced
09 - 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

→ Toppings

13 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
14 - Extra maple syrup or honey, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir thoroughly to integrate all components. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, preferably overnight.
02 - Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple, maple syrup or brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook while stirring occasionally until apples reach a tender consistency with light caramelization, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool completely.
03 - Remove oat mixture from refrigerator and stir to reach desired consistency. Layer or swirl the cooled cinnamon apples into the oats.
04 - Crown with toasted walnuts and drizzle with additional maple syrup or honey if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can prep everything the night before, which means your future self gets to sleep five extra minutes instead of standing at the stove.
  • Those warm cinnamon apples against the cold, creamy oats create this perfect temperature and texture contrast that shouldn't work but absolutely does.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the apples completely before mixing them in, because warm fruit will start cooking the oats and create a warm mush instead of that perfect cold-and-creamy base you're after.
  • Toast your walnuts even if it seems like an extra step, because the difference between raw and toasted is honestly the difference between good and restaurant-quality.
03 -
  • Buy good cinnamon and actually smell it before using, because stale cinnamon tastes like dust instead of warmth, and it'll change how this tastes completely.
  • If the oats seem too thick in the morning, loosen them with a splash of milk instead of adding more sweetener, which keeps the balance right.
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