Last updated: October 18, 2026
Apple cinnamon overnight oats are creamy, spiced jars of rolled oats, Greek yogurt, and grated apple that thicken in the fridge while you sleep. Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable version, or keep reading for every step, tip, and swap you need.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats From Start to Finish
You make apple cinnamon overnight oats by whisking milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together, then stirring in rolled oats, chia seeds, and one grated apple. Divide the mixture between four jars and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
The recipe takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time and needs no cooking at all. Every stage below is written so you can prep a few days of breakfasts from this post alone.
Gather Your Ingredients
You need 2 cups (180 g) of old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups (480 ml) of milk, and 1 cup (245 g) of plain Greek yogurt. You also need 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
The apple flavor comes from 2 medium apples (about 12 ounces total) and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Ground cinnamon does the warm spice work at 2 teaspoons, and 1/2 cup (60 g) of chopped walnuts or pecans adds crunch on top.
Whisk the Creamy Base
Pour the milk and Greek yogurt into a large bowl, then add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, and the salt. Whisk until the yogurt melts into the milk and no white streaks remain.
Taste the base before the oats go in. It should taste slightly sweeter than you want the finished jars to be, because the oats soften the sweetness as they soak.
Stir in the Oats, Chia Seeds, and Grated Apple
Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to the bowl and stir until every oat is coated. Grate 1 unpeeled apple on the large holes of a box grater and fold it in, juices included.
The grated apple melts into the creamy base and flavors every spoonful, a trick borrowed from the original Swiss birchermuesli. Give the bowl one last stir so the chia seeds spread evenly instead of clumping.
Fill the Jars and Chill
Divide the mixture evenly between four 16-ounce jars, about 1 1/2 cups per jar. Tap each jar gently on the counter to settle the oats, then seal the lids.
Refrigerate the jars for at least 6 hours or overnight. The oats are ready when they have absorbed the liquid and the surface looks thick and spoonable.
Top and Serve
When you are ready to eat, core and dice the second apple, then toss it with the lemon juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir the oats, loosen them with a splash of milk if they feel stiff, and top with the diced apple and chopped nuts.
Adding the diced apple at serving time keeps it crisp and bright instead of soft and brown. The second apple is the reason these jars taste like fresh apple pie and not just spiced oatmeal.
Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
The best apple cinnamon overnight oats come from old-fashioned rolled oats, a firm sweet apple, and a ratio that stays the same every time. Each jar holds 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, plus the apple and chia seeds.
Choose the Right Apples
Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples give a sweet, juicy flavor that pairs well with cinnamon. Granny Smith works if you like a tart bite that cuts through the creamy oats.
Leave the peel on the grated apple for extra fiber and flecks of color. Peel the topping apple only if you prefer a softer bite.
Use Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
Old-fashioned rolled oats hold their shape overnight and turn creamy with a little chew. Quick oats soak up liquid faster and can turn mushy, while steel-cut oats stay hard unless you change the ratio and the soak time.
If you only have quick oats, shorten the chill to about 4 hours and expect a softer texture. Stick with rolled oats whenever you can for the best result.
Fix the Thickness in the Morning
Overnight oats keep thickening in the fridge, so day two and day three jars can feel stiffer than day one. Stir in a tablespoon or two of milk until the jar looks creamy again.
If a jar feels too loose, stir in a teaspoon of extra chia seeds and wait 10 minutes. The seeds drink up extra liquid quickly.
Keep the Apple Fresh
Lemon juice slows the browning of the diced apple topping, which is why it goes on at serving time with a little cinnamon. The grated apple inside the jars can darken slightly, and that is normal because the cinnamon and oats hide it.
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Variations and Substitutions
You can change the milk, the sweetener, and the toppings without changing the method. The base ratio stays the same, so the jars always set up creamy.
Make It Dairy-Free
Swap the milk for unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, and use plain coconut or soy yogurt in place of Greek yogurt. Maple syrup is already vegan, so the rest of the recipe stays as written.
Dairy-free yogurts can be thinner, so expect a slightly looser jar and add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds if you like a thicker spoonful. The card below lists dairy milk and Greek yogurt, so treat these swaps as optional.
Change the Sweetener and the Crunch
Honey or light brown sugar can replace the maple syrup in equal amounts. Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds work well for a nut-free topping.
A pinch of nutmeg or a spoonful of raisins gives the jars an even stronger apple pie feel. The card below leaves both out, so treat them as optional add-ins.
Eat Them Warm
Cold is the classic way to eat overnight oats, but a warm jar tastes like baked apple oatmeal. Transfer the oats to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Add the diced apple and nuts after warming so they stay crisp. A splash of milk after heating brings back the creamy texture.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Store apple cinnamon overnight oats in sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The USDA advises keeping your refrigerator at 40°F or below and eating prepared leftovers within 3 to 4 days, and 3 days keeps the oats at their best texture.
A batch of four jars fits a work week nicely if you make it on Sunday evening. Add the diced apple and nuts to each jar on the day you eat it so they stay fresh.
Do not freeze the jars, because the yogurt and grated apple turn watery once thawed. The USDA also says perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours, so return the jars to the fridge soon after you open them.
Serving Ideas for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Serve apple cinnamon overnight oats straight from the jar with a spoon, topped with the cinnamon apple and a handful of nuts. They also travel well in a lunch bag with an ice pack.
For a heartier breakfast, add a spoonful of almond butter or a drizzle of maple syrup on top. A dollop of extra Greek yogurt makes the jar taste like a parfait.
Pair a jar with a cup of hot coffee or chai for a cozy fall morning. You can also set out a row of jars with different toppings for a make-your-own breakfast bar at brunch.
A Short History of Overnight Oats
Overnight oats trace back to birchermuesli, created around 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients at his Zurich clinic. The original mixture combined rolled oats, grated apple, lemon juice, nuts, and milk, and it was served as a fresh, easy meal.
That is why grated apple and lemon juice feel so natural in this recipe. Modern jars simply add Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and warm spices like cinnamon to make the oats creamier and more filling.
Today, overnight oats are a popular meal prep breakfast because they need no cooking and keep for days. Apple cinnamon is one of the most loved flavors because it tastes like fall with almost no effort.
Ready to make your own jars? Use the recipe card below for exact measurements, then keep reading for answers to the most common questions.
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Creamy apple cinnamon overnight oats made with rolled oats, Greek yogurt, grated apple, and warm cinnamon. Mix four jars in 15 minutes, chill overnight, and top with fresh cinnamon apple and crunchy nuts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (180 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 1 cup (245 g) plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 medium apples (about 12 ounces total), divided
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Whisk the milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, and the salt in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in the oats and chia seeds until every oat is coated.
- Grate 1 unpeeled apple on the large holes of a box grater and fold it into the oat mixture with its juices.
- Divide the mixture evenly between four 16-ounce jars, about 1 1/2 cups per jar, and seal with lids.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Just before serving, core and dice the second apple and toss it with the lemon juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Stir each jar, loosen with a splash of milk if needed, and top with the diced apple and chopped nuts.
Notes
Store the jars without the toppings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add the diced apple and nuts on the day you eat each jar. Do not freeze. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture, since quick oats turn mushy and steel-cut oats stay firm. To serve warm, microwave a jar for 1 to 2 minutes and stir. For dairy-free jars, use unsweetened almond or oat milk and plain coconut or soy yogurt. Optional add-ins such as nutmeg or raisins are not included in the ingredient list.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 jarAmount Per Serving: Calories: 510Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 220mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 13gSugar: 28gProtein: 21g
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats FAQs
Can You Eat Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Cold?
Yes, overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold straight from the fridge. If you prefer them warm, microwave the jar contents for 1 to 2 minutes and stir.
How Long Do Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Last?
They keep for up to 3 days in sealed jars in the refrigerator. Add the diced apple and nuts on the day you eat each jar so they stay crisp.
Can You Use Quick Oats or Steel-Cut Oats?
Old-fashioned rolled oats give the best creamy yet chewy texture. Quick oats work if you shorten the chill to about 4 hours, but steel-cut oats stay too firm without a different ratio.
Can You Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Without Dairy?
Yes, use unsweetened almond or oat milk and plain coconut or soy yogurt in the same amounts. The jars may be slightly looser, so add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds if you want them thicker.
Do You Have to Use Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are optional, but they help thicken the oats and make the texture creamier. Without them the jars still set, just a little looser, so stir in an extra splash of yogurt if you want more body.
Why This Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Recipe Works
The recipe works because the oat to liquid ratio stays balanced, with 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt in every jar. Yogurt adds body and a little tang, so the oats taste creamy and not just wet.
Grated apple spreads flavor through the whole jar, while the diced apple on top adds fresh crunch. Chia seeds absorb extra liquid, which keeps the texture thick and spoonable for days.
Cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt round out the sweetness from the maple syrup. Nothing is cooked, so the whole recipe comes together with one bowl, one whisk, and four jars.
Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Tonight
Apple cinnamon overnight oats give you a cozy, make-ahead breakfast that tastes like apple pie and takes about 15 minutes to prep. Stir up a batch tonight, and tomorrow morning you will have a ready-to-eat jar waiting.
Leave a rating and a comment below to tell us which toppings you tried. Save the recipe to your breakfast board so it is easy to find next week.
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