Apple Overnight Oats (Hot or Cold)

It’s mid September. In the Midwest that means cooler mornings and cooler evenings.

We’re over here hanging onto every last bit of those end-of-summer warm days.

We are making the most of our beautiful garden basil by making lots of caprese pasta salad, or other caprese inspired recipes. It’s a wonderful time.

Yet, as a food blogger I need to start testing all the fall themed recipes in order to get the pumpkin spiced desserts, and the cozy soups out to you guys in time for when the weather turns into cooler fall days that require cozy  sweaters and hot mugs of tea. It’s a challenging transition for me to make because summer is a season I always want to hang onto as long as I can. 

Solution: make fall inspired recipes that can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Ones that peak the interest with the warming spices, without actually needing to heat up my kitchen. Or, that can simply be popped into the microwave if you’re needing some warmth on a cold rainy morning. 

That’s exactly what these apple overnight oats are. 

End-of-summer to early-fall transition food.

 

Here’s how it works:

• You make overnight oats (10 minutes), the night before. 
• Allow the oats to soak up the milk and soften overnight, while you’re sound asleep.
• Breakfast time: grab a spoon and eat your apple overnight oats that are cold and refreshing, but bursting with fall goodness.
• OR: pop it in the microwave for a warm, cozy breakfast.

Could that be any easier?

Trust me, everyone will be happy with this one.

Ingredients for apple overnight oats:

• rolled oats
• cinnamon
• chia seeds – for extra fiber, and healthy fats. Also, makes the overnight oats have a real pudding like texture.
• milk of choice – I like almond milk, any kind will do.
• pure maple syrup – just a little for a hint of sweetness.
• raisins – optional, but highly recommended. They get plump and juicy.
• 1 apple – any kind of firm, sweet apple will do.

Optional toppings:

• peanut butter – adds a nice creamy richness.
• walnuts or pecans – adds a nice nutty crunch.

That’s all you need to make one tasty fall/end-of-summer breakfast.

How to make apple overnight oats:

1. Measure out the ingredients into a bowl.
2. Chop an apple.
3. Mix everything together.
4. Chill the oats overnight. This is when the magic happens. The milk is absorbed by the oats and the chia seeds and gets all nice and soft resulting in an almost pudding like texture.
5. In the morning grab a spoon, and dig in!

Oatmeal pudding for breakfast?!

Count me in!

 

If you have never had overnight oats before you are in for a treat, my friends.

There is something so refreshing, and almost dessert like about overnight oats. Yet, they still count as a healthy breakfast. The oats get perfectly softened as they soak overnight, without getting gummy.

These apple overnight oats are refreshing when cold. Comforting and cozy when warm. They are packed with warming cinnamon, crunchy apples, and juicy raisins.

I like to top my overnight oats with a sprinkle of walnuts, or a drizzle of peanut butter. Both are a delicious and healthy option to bump up the healthy fats and protein in the meal, which, will help you stay fuller longer. Paul, however, prefers his overnight oats as is, without toppings.

I should note, that we like to eat these apple overnight oats with 2 eggs for an even more protein-packed breakfast. We usually cook some hard boiled eggs in advance and eat them throughout the week. Meal prepping our breakfasts makes weekdays so much easier.

We have been obsessed with this overnight oat recipe  for weekday breakfasts lately.

Can these apple overnight oats be eaten hot, too?

The answer is: YES! Absolutely!!!

I know, I already have mentioned this, but I didn’t want you to miss it.

If you want to eat your apple overnight oats warm, you can simply pop them into the microwave for a minute or two. You may need to add a little more milk because the oats absorb more liquid as they heat up.

They are absolutely delicious warm. The apples stay nice and crunchy, and you can smell the warming cinnamon wafting from your bowl.

Such comfort food.

I am not sure which way I prefer to eat my apple overnight oats? Hot or cold? I think it depends on my mood, and the weather that day.

That is the beauty of this recipe!

Which way will you eat your apple overnight oats? Hot? Or cold?

Leave me a comment below, telling me whether you will eat your overnight oats hot or cold! I would love to know.

Apple overnight oats are the perfect recipe for meal prepping. As I said, we have been loving these oats during the week lately. Paul makes the hard boiled eggs and I whip up the overnight oatmeal. 

Teamwork!

Along with two eggs this oatmeal recipe keeps me satisfied and full right up until lunch. Even when I have gotten my workout in that morning. It’s due to all the fiber, protein and healthy, slow-releasing-carbs  that are packed in there.

A perfectly balanced breakfast. Plus, I feel good about getting some fruit into my body first thing.

These apple overnight oats are easily made gluten free by using certified gluten free oats. They are also easily made to be vegan and dairy free by using a non-dairy milk option. Everyone can be happy.

Seriously. You cannot go wrong with this recipe. 

It’s easy.

It’s delicious.

It’s healthy.

You should make it!

More oatmeal recipes:

• protein packed pumpkin oatmeal with yogurt “whipped cream”
• 12 minute savory oatmeal with fried eggs
• pumpkin pie overnight oats with peanut butter swirl

Hey, did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment down below along with a star rating. This helps to grow my blog, and I always LOVE hearing from you. Thanks friends!

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