Apple Pie Overnight Oats: Your Essential Fall Meal Prep Breakfast
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these delightful Apple Pie Overnight Oats, perfect for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal prep breakfast. Featuring tender sautéed apples and a creamy swirl of walnut butter, these oats can be enjoyed warm or chilled, making them versatile for any morning.
As September arrives, my kitchen transforms into an autumnal sanctuary, even if the temperatures outside are still clinging to summer. The air fills with the comforting aromas of pumpkin, apple, and sweet potato, signaling a shift in seasons and a renewed passion for cozy, nourishing meals. After a wonderful anniversary getaway last weekend exploring the historical charm of Colonial Williamsburg and Historic Jamestown, and indulging in delicious vegan cuisine in Toana, Virginia, I’m back in my routine with a fresh burst of inspiration.
It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since M and I connected on Bumble, opening my heart to new adventures and shared culinary joys. September truly is a special month for us, and it always reignites my love for organized, effortless meal prep. This renewed focus brings us to today’s recipe: Apple Pie Overnight Oats – the ultimate quick, fall-inspired breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings and chilly days alike. These oats are designed for convenience, made in advance with sweet, tender sautéed apples and a generous dollop of rich walnut butter. The best part? You can savor them cold straight from the fridge or warm them up for a comforting, pie-like experience, adapting perfectly to your mood and the crisp autumn air.
Why Choose Apple Pie Overnight Oats for Your Fall Breakfast?
Overnight oats have become a staple in many healthy routines, and for good reason. They are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring no cooking in the morning, which makes them a lifesaver for anyone with a packed schedule. But beyond convenience, these Apple Pie Overnight Oats offer a symphony of fall flavors and nutritional benefits:
- Effortless Meal Prep: Prepare a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have delicious, wholesome breakfasts ready for the entire week.
- Nutrient-Dense: Packed with fiber from oats and chia seeds, healthy fats from walnut butter, and vitamins from apples, these oats provide sustained energy.
- Customizable Comfort: Enjoy them chilled for a refreshing start or warm them up for a truly cozy, apple pie-like experience.
- Rich Fall Flavors: The combination of spiced sautéed apples and creamy walnut butter truly captures the essence of autumn in every spoonful.
- Dietary Friendly: Naturally vegan and gluten-free (when using certified gluten-free oats), this recipe caters to various dietary needs.
The Star of the Show: Perfectly Sautéed Apples
The secret to transforming ordinary overnight oats into a truly extraordinary “apple pie” experience lies in the sautéed apples. This isn’t just a simple topping; it’s a quick, stovetop apple compote that tastes remarkably like a decadent apple pie filling. It adds natural sweetness, a wonderful texture, and a burst of warm, spiced flavor that elevates the entire dish. And the best part? It takes only about 10 minutes to create this delightful component!
While we’re featuring these apples in our overnight oats today, this versatile compote is also fantastic on pancakes, stirred into yogurt, or even served warm over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a healthier dessert. For this recipe, I opted for Fuji apples due to their sweet and crisp texture, but feel free to use any apple variety you have on hand. Honeycrisp, Gala, or even a tart Granny Smith would work beautifully, offering slightly different flavor profiles.
Ingredients for the Sautéed Apple Compote:
You’ll be amazed at how a few simple ingredients can create such a delicious and aromatic topping:
- **Coconut Oil:** For sautéing and adding a subtle richness.
- **Apple:** One large apple, diced. I usually peel mine, but leaving the skin on adds extra fiber and a rustic touch.
- **Lemon:** A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors and prevents browning.
- **Maple Syrup:** Our natural sweetener of choice, perfectly complementing the apples. Adjust to your sweetness preference.
- **Cinnamon:** The quintessential fall spice, bringing warmth and depth.
That’s truly all you need for this flavorful apple base!
Making the Sautéed Apple Compote: Step-by-Step
Creating these aromatic apples is straightforward:
- Begin by heating a pan over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and allow it to melt and shimmer slightly.
- Once the oil is melted, add your diced apple to the pan. Toss them gently to ensure they are well-coated with the oil.
- Next, introduce the lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly seasoned.
- Sauté the diced apples for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. You’ll notice them softening, becoming incredibly fragrant, and developing a tender, slightly browned exterior. They’re done when they’re soft but still hold their shape, tasting like a spoonful of apple pie.
- Remove the pan from the heat and set the sautéed apples aside to cool completely before adding them to your overnight oats. This prevents them from warming the oats too much during chilling.
Crafting the Creamy Overnight Oats Base
With our delightful sautéed apples ready, it’s time to prepare the overnight oats base. I rely on my tried-and-true blueprint for overnight oats, adapting it slightly to perfectly complement the apple pie flavors. This base is simple, wholesome, and creates a wonderfully creamy texture.
What You Need for the Overnight Oats:
These ingredients come together to form a balanced, satisfying, and delicious breakfast:
- **Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats:** The foundation of our oats. Rolled oats provide a great texture and absorb liquid beautifully.
- **Black Chia Seeds:** These tiny powerhouses are essential for thickening the oats and adding a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
- **Pure Maple Syrup:** Our liquid sweetener, providing a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
- **Unsweetened Almond Milk:** The primary liquid, creating a creamy consistency without added sugars. Feel free to use any plant-based milk you prefer (e.g., oat, soy).
- **Protein Powder (Optional):** I love adding a scoop for an extra protein boost to keep me feeling full and energized. Choose your favorite flavor – vanilla or plain works well here.
- **Cinnamon:** A dash of extra cinnamon in the oats reinforces that warm, fall-spice flavor.
And that’s it for your simple yet satisfying base!
Making the Overnight Oats:
This part is incredibly straightforward and quick, perfect for evening meal prep:
- In a large mason jar (or any airtight container), combine all of the overnight oat ingredients: rolled oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, almond milk, protein powder (if using), and cinnamon.
- Stir everything thoroughly until the oats and chia seeds are completely coated in the almond milk. Ensure there are no dry spots at the bottom.
- Cover the mason jar tightly with a lid and transfer it to the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight. This gives the oats time to soften and the chia seeds to work their magic, thickening the mixture to a creamy consistency.
Putting Them Together: The Apple Pie Experience
The morning after, your overnight oats will be thick and creamy, ready for assembly. This is where the magic truly happens, layering flavors to create that authentic apple pie taste.
- In the morning, uncover your chilled overnight oats and give them a good stir. Check the thickness; if you prefer a looser consistency, add a splash more almond milk and mix well. If they are too thin, a spoonful of extra chia seeds stirred in and allowed to sit for 15-20 minutes can help thicken them up.
- To assemble your Apple Pie Overnight Oats, grab two smaller jars or bowls. Begin by spooning a layer of the overnight oats, followed by a layer of the chilled sautéed apples, and then a generous swirl of walnut butter.
- Continue layering these delightful components until both the sautéed apples and walnut butter are used up, creating beautiful visual and flavor layers.
- Alternatively, if you prefer a less structured approach, you can simply serve the overnight oats in a bowl and mix in the apples and walnut butter. The choice is yours!
How to Serve Your Apple Pie Overnight Oats
These Apple Pie Overnight Oats are fantastic on their own, but a few thoughtful toppings can elevate them even further. I highly recommend serving them with your favorite granola for added crunch and texture. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans would also be lovely, complementing the walnut butter.
My absolute favorite addition is a generous spoonful of Artisana Organics Raw Organic Walnut Butter. This isn’t just any nut butter; it’s a premium spread made exclusively from raw organic walnuts and raw organic cashews. Its smooth, rich, and slightly earthy flavor is an incredible pairing for the sweet, spiced apples and creamy oats. It’s a staple in my household, adorning everything from toast to smoothies. Because it’s raw and minimally processed, it retains all those vital nutty nutrients, including beneficial omega-3s, making your breakfast even more wholesome.
One of the best features of this recipe is its versatility regarding temperature. You can enjoy them chilled, straight from the refrigerator, for a refreshing and quick breakfast. Or, for a truly cozy, comforting start to your day, simply pop them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. The choice often depends on my mood and the morning’s chill!
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
These Apple Pie Overnight Oats are designed with meal prep in mind, making your busy mornings a breeze. Once prepared and assembled, they can be stored in airtight jars or containers in the refrigerator for up to one week. This makes them an ideal choice for healthy, grab-and-go breakfasts throughout your work week. You can even prepare the sautéed apples in a larger batch and store them separately, adding them to your oats each morning for ultimate freshness and warmth.
Having a healthy breakfast ready allows you to start your day on the right foot, ensuring you get proper nutrition even when time is tight. It eliminates the temptation to grab less healthy options and keeps you fueled until lunchtime.
Fuel Your Body with Wholesome Ingredients
Beyond their delicious taste and convenience, these Apple Pie Overnight Oats are packed with nutritional goodness:
- **Oats:** An excellent source of complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber (beta-glucan), which supports heart health, digestion, and steady energy release.
- **Chia Seeds:** Tiny but mighty, these seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and various micronutrients. They help keep you full and hydrated.
- **Apples:** Full of vitamins (especially Vitamin C), antioxidants, and dietary fiber, contributing to overall health and immune function.
- **Walnut Butter:** Provides healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain and heart health. It also adds protein and vital minerals.
- **Almond Milk:** A good dairy-free source of calcium and Vitamin E.
This breakfast is a fantastic way to nourish your body with essential nutrients, keeping you satisfied and focused throughout your morning.
Ready to Make Your Own?
I hope you’re inspired to whip up a batch of these Apple Pie Overnight Oats and bring a little fall magic to your breakfast routine. They are truly a game-changer for quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful mornings.
If you make these Apple Pie Overnight Oats, I’d absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below. Your feedback helps me create more delicious recipes for you to enjoy. Share your photos on Instagram and use #floraandvino so I can admire your beautiful breakfasts.
Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest page to discover more recipes like this one, perfect for pinning and planning your next culinary adventure. If you’re loving these easy overnight oats combinations, you might also enjoy my Peanut Butter Protein Overnight Oats and Blueberry Protein Overnight Oats!
For more deliciousness delivered straight to your inbox, head over to my homepage and subscribe. Happy cooking, and happy fall!
XO Lauren
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Apple Pie Overnight Oats
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Author: Flora & Vino
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Diet: Vegan
Description
Apple Pie Overnight Oats for a quick fall meal prep breakfast made with sautéed apples and a big spoonful of walnut butter. Serve them warm or chilled!
Ingredients
Sautéed Apples
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 large apple, any color, peeled, cored, and diced
- ½ lemon, squeezed
- 1–2 tsp maple syrup
- pinch of cinnamon
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- 1 cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
- 4 tsp black chia seeds
- 2–3 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 TBSP protein powder (optional)
- dash of cinnamon
For serving
- 2 TBSP Artisana Organics Raw Organic Walnut Butter
- sautéed apples (recipe above)
Instructions
- First, prepare your apple compote. Heat a pan over medium heat with coconut oil. When the coconut oil is melted, add the diced apple to the pan and drizzle with lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon and mix to combine and coat. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are soft, fragrant, and tender. Set aside.
- Mix all of the overnight oat ingredients in a large mason jar. Stir to roughly combine. Cover the mason jar and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- In the morning, uncover and stir. Add more almond milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Divide the overnight oats mixture between two jars or bowls layered with the sautéed apples and walnut butter. Top the overnight oats with your favorite granola and any additional toppings.
- Store the overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop, Hand-mix
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free
This post is brought to you by Artisana Organics but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!