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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

    Published: Nov 16, 2021 · Modified: Mar 22, 2024 by Petra · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Easy Applesauce Overnight Oats

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy, healthy, and delicious, these applesauce overnight oats are creamy and chewy with hints of cinnamon. The best part of this recipe is the caramelized apple pieces that take just 5 minutes to make. You have to try!

    Two glass cups filled with applesauce overnight oats and topped with cinnamon.

    After my apple crisp without flour, I knew I wanted to make a recipe for applesauce overnight oats, but the biggest question was "How do I make it exciting?".

    The answer: quick caramelized apples! Yes, I am talking about sweet and buttery pieces of apple similar to my baked apple slices, which will totally take your overnight oats to the next level!

    And don't worry, this breakfast is super fuss-free and won't take you more than 10 minutes to prep, but it will be worth every bite.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Subtitutions
    • How To Make Applesauce Overnight Oats
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Petra's Tips
    • FAQs
    • Topping Ideas
    • Variations
    • Storage & Freezing
    • More Overnight Oats Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients & Subtitutions

    Gathered ingredients for making applesauce overnight oats.
    • Oats: Make sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Don't use still-cut oats or it won't turn out the same.
    • Applesauce: I like to use unsweetened applesauce because I get to control the sweetness. If you have some time on your hands, consider making homemade applesauce. If not, store-bought is also okay.
    • Milk of choice: I use soy milk because it's dairy-free and high in protein, but you can use any milk you like.
    • Cinnamon: Or any of your favorite spices like cardamom, clove, or nutmeg.
    • Salt: A pinch of salt goes a long way here, it enhances the rest of the flavors.
    • Maple syrup: Since we're using unsweetened applesauce, the oats are not going to be sweet. That's why I recommend a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or agave.
    • Apple, brown sugar, and butter are optional but recommended if you want to make the caramelized apple pieces.

    See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

    How To Make Applesauce Overnight Oats

    First, caramelize the apple. As I already said, this step is optional, but I highly recommend it!

    Peel, core, and chop your apple into 1-inch pieces. In a rimmed pan, melt some butter.

    Add brown sugar and the chopped apple and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until golden and saucy. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.

    Caramelized apple pieces cooking in a rimmed pan.
    Caramelized apple pieces in a gray bowl.

    Then, make the overnight oats. To a large bowl or two individual mason jars, add milk, cinnamon, salt, and maple syrup and mix until combined. Add rolled oats and mix once again.

    Finally, stir in the caramelized apple.

    Adding rolled oats to a glass bowl with milk.
    Caramelized apple pieces added a bowl with overnight oats mixture.

    Let it sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight. Then you're ready to serve!

    Applesauce overnight oats in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon in it.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Petra's Tips

    • Let the oats soak for at least 2 hours, or until they are soft. You can't speed up this process.
    • Use rolled oats for a chewier texture and quick oats for a softer texture. You can also use a mix of each to get the best of both worlds.
    • Wait to add your toppings until right before serving. This guarantees freshness.
    • Customize to your liking. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to add more maple syrup, a dollop of nut butter, a sprinkle of seeds, etc. to make it your own. You can also adjust the consistency by adding more or less milk to your liking.
    • To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free certified oats.

    FAQs

    Do you serve it hot or cold?

    Overnight oats are usually served cold, but if you are craving a warm breakfast, you can heat them in a small pot on the stovetop or a bowl in the microwave.

    Are overnight oats healthy?

    Yes, overnight oats are packed with fiber from the rolled oats, protein from the Greek yogurt, and healthy fats from the seeds. Research shows that eating more fiber is beneficial for a healthy gut microbiome and it makes you feel fuller for longer.

    Can you freeze overnight oats?

    No. This recipe doesn't freeze well and it's best enjoyed fresh.

    Can I use water instead of milk?

    Yes! However, just like in my overnight oats with water, I suggest adding a dollop of Greek yogurt to not miss on that creaminess.

    Topping Ideas

    • Chopped nuts: Raw or roasted nuts such as roasted air fryer pecans, almonds, and cashews will be delicious here.
    • Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
    • Fresh fruit: Besides the obvious apples, you can also serve these oats with pears, permission, cranberries, sliced bananas, and more!
    • Dried fruit: Raisins are a great option for an apple-raisin combo, but so are dried cranberries, dates, apricots, and more!
    • Yogurt: To add more protein, serve these applesauce overnight oats with a dollop of Grek yogurt or soy yogurt. If you're not a fan of yogurt, try my whipped cottage cheese instead.
    • Fruit compote or cranberry sauce: I love adding a spoonful of my homemade cranberry sauce.
    • Granola: I love adding a crunchy element to contrast the soft and chewy oats. Try my homemade granola.
    • Biscoff: Just like in my overnight oats with Biscoff, a drizzle of Biscoff spread is always a good idea.
    A spoon filled with overnight oats hovering over a glass cup full of overnight oats.

    Variations

    • Protein power: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to bump up the nutrition of these applesauce overnight oats and make them more filling. If your protein powder is already sweetened, skip the maple syrup to avoid making it overly sweet.
    • Pumpkin pie spice: I love adding ½ teaspoon of my homemade pumpkin pie spice for more flavor. Apple pie spice will also be delicious.
    • No applesauce: Use pumpkin puree or Greek yogurt instead.
    • Chia or flax seeds: Similar to my overnight oats without chia seeds, I skipped chia here, but feel free to add up to 1 tablespoon if desired.

    Storage & Freezing

    • Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Stir well before serving.
    • Freezer: This recipe doesn't freeze well.

    More Overnight Oats Recipes

    • Biscoff overnight oats served in a glass cup and topped with more biscoff spred and a Lotus cookie.
      Easy Biscoff Overnight Oats (4 Ingredients)
    • Overnight oats without yogurt served in a white bowl and topped with fresh berries, crushed pecans, and a drizzle of honey.
      Easy Overnight Oats without Yogurt (4 Ingredients!)
    • One hand holding a white bowl filled with overnight oats topped with a sliced banana, blackberries, and almonds. The other hand is dipping a spoon in the bowl.
      Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
    • A glass cup filled with overnight oats and topped with sliced strawberries.
      Golden Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats

    📖 Recipe

    Two clear cups filled with overnight oats, topped with cinnamon.

    Easy Applesauce Overnight Oats

    Easy, healthy, and delicious, these applesauce overnight oats are creamy and chewy with hints of cinnamon. The best part of this recipe is the caramelized apple pieces that take just 5 minutes to make. You have to try!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Resting time: 6 hours hours
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Author: Petra
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl or mason jars

    Ingredients

    For the caramelized apple (optional)

    • 1 medium apple, we like gala or golden delicious apples
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoon butter of choice either vegan butter or regular
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

    For the overnight oats

    • 1 cup milk of choice (I use soy milk)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • A pinch of salt
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats use gluten-free if needed
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Instructions

    Caramelized apple (optional)

    • To a rimmed pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir and cook for 5 minutes, until the apple is golden and saucy, and the brown sugar has melted.
      1 medium apple, we like gala or golden delicious apples, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoon butter of choice, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Set aside to cool.

    Overnight oats

    • To a large bowl or two individual mason jars, add milk, cinnamon, salt, maple syrup, and applesauce. Mix until well combined. Add the rolled oats and mix once again. Finally, stir in the caramelized apples.
      1 cup milk of choice, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, A pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
    • Cover the bowl or the jars, and let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve!

    Notes

    Storage Tips
    • Fridge: Store overnight oats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: This recipe does not freeze well.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.8g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Sodium: 178.6mg | Potassium: 439.9mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 18.2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 51.9mg | Iron: 2.7mg

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

    More Vegan & Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes

    • Raspberry blended oats in a glass jar topped with melted chocolate.
      Blended Raspberry Oats
    • Bagels on a piece of parchment paper.
      2-Ingredient Bagels
    • A glass cup filled with creme brulee overnight oats.
      Crème Brûlée Overnight Oats
    • Flaxseed overnight oats in a glass cup topped with banana slices and halved strawberries.
      Nutritious Flaxseed Overnight Oats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stacy says

      December 15, 2021 at 2:24 pm

      5 stars
      Had an opened jar of applesauce in the fridge and I was wanting to use it for a few days now... loved this recipe!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        December 16, 2021 at 11:14 am

        Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Petra!

    I'm a professional chef and a certified nutritionist! Sunglow Kitchen is all about easy vegan and vegetarian recipes that anyone can make at home, even if you're a beginner. Learn more about me here!

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