Overnight oats with cinnamon (View Print Version)

Creamy oats combined with cinnamon apples and toasted walnuts for a satisfying morning start.

# 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 for drizzling (optional)

# Method:

01 - Combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir thoroughly until fully incorporated. Transfer to a refrigerator-safe container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
02 - Melt unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple, maple syrup or brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook while stirring occasionally for 5 to 7 minutes until apples are tender and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
03 - Remove oat mixture from refrigerator and stir well. Layer or swirl cooled cinnamon apples into the oat mixture.
04 - Top with toasted walnuts and drizzle with additional maple syrup or honey if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You prep it at night and wake up to something that tastes like you spent real time in the kitchen.
  • The contrast between creamy oats and warm cinnamon apples feels indulgent without any guilt.
  • It's flexible enough to adapt based on what's in your pantry, yet always feels complete.
02 -
  • Let those cinnamon apples cool all the way down before adding them or they'll warm up your cold oats and ruin the textural contrast that makes this dish special.
  • Toast your own walnuts rather than buying pre-toasted—they taste fresher and the aroma alone is worth the three extra minutes of effort.
03 -
  • Stir your oats well in the morning—they settle and thicken overnight, and that stir redistributes everything so the first spoonful isn't thicker than the last.
  • If you're making these for the week, prepare the oat base for all five days at once, but cook the apples fresh every two days so they stay bright and don't start tasting stale.
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