Overnight oats are the perfect vessel for a nutrient-packed breakfast! These caramelized apple overnight oats are absolutely delicious – a unique spin on one of my breakfast favorites. Small, bite-sized apple cubes are cooked with a little brown sugar and butter until caramelized, then combined with a thick and creamy Greek yogurt and oat mixture.
Chopped walnuts are added for some extra crunch – each bite of these overnight oats is an explosion of comforting flavors. Sweet and nostalgic, all in one.
I love the convenience of overnight oats – but this recipe requires (just) a little bit more prep work than usual. The flavor combination makes it all worth it, though! These oats also have 28 grams of protein without the use of protein powder.
You can easily prep 2-4 servings in advance and enjoy all week long!
Why You SHould Make These Overnight Oats:
- An Indulgent Flavor Combination: Caramelized apples with thick and creamy oats, then that crunch from the walnuts combined makes an irresistible morning treat.
- Meal Prep for the Week: A grab-and-go breakfast can be a game changer for those busy mornings.
- A Wholesome and Satisfying Breakfast: The 28 grams of protein helps to keep you full all morning long while increasing total protein consumption. This recipe is also a good source of vitamin D and iron!
- Probiotics: Greek yogurt contains live, active cultures which can improve the composition of your gut microbiome.
Caramelized Apples Overnight Oats Ingredients
The ingredients listed below are for 2 servings.
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How to Make Caramelized Apples OVernight Oats
I make this recipe a lot, and sometimes just keep smaller portions in the fridge for a snack. When I am craving something sweet, I put some cool whip on top and have a few bites and it’s like dessert!
Just a quick 10 minutes to caramelize the apples, and it’s pretty much just adding all the ingredients into a glass storage container for refrigeration.
Caramelize the Apples
Peel and dice apple(s) into relatively even-sized cubes.
Heat a pan on medium high heat. Add the butter to the pan. Once melted, add the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of water and the chopped apples.
Stir the mixture over medium high heat for about 3 minutes, then turn to low. Allow to cook for another 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened and turned a light golden brown.
Add the cinnamon and stir. Take off the heat and set aside.
Assemble the Overnight Oats
Combine the oats, 1 cup of water, and Greek yogurt into a medium-sized bowl. Add the apples, reserving a small amount to add on top. Gently combine with a spoon or spatula.
Pour the mixture into two separate airtight containers, topped with chopped walnuts and more apples.
Allow to refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. These overnight oats can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Note: To save some dishes, you could also just add 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of water to each separate glass storage container. Then divide the apples into each one and stir.
Enjoy! They really are so decadent and tasty! You could even top them with a tablespoon of whipped cream.
Nutritional Breakdown
This recipe is a little higher in calories and fat than your average overnight oats recipe. However, I didn’t want to sacrifice the taste and texture – there just wasn’t any other way to caramelize the apples without some good ol’ butter.
Plus, with the high protein content you will be less likely to turn to convenience snacks, which in turn, may decrease overall calorie consumption.
This recipe has some healthy fats from the walnuts, fiber from the apples and oats, and best of all – it’s 20% of our daily value of vitamin D! Make sure to choose a yogurt with some vitamin D in it.
There are very few foods that contain vitamin D, so it can be very hard to get enough of it.
Tips and Tricks for Success
Add a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavor.
Quadruple this recipe and eat it for the whole week!
Once cut, immediately cook the apples to prevent them from browning or soak them in lemon juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Apples Should I Use to Make This Recipe?
I have found that a sweeter apple, like gala, honeycrisp, or fuji provides enough flavor without the need to add any additional sweeteners.
How Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
Substitute the Greek yogurt with a higher protein dairy-free Greek yogurt, like Kite Hill Plant-Based Greek Yogurt and a dairy-free butter.
When Is the Best Time to Eat These Overnight Oats?
While these overnight oats offer those comforting fall flavors, you could eat them all year long. For breakfast, for a snack, for a healthy lunch – they’re a macro-friendly, highly nutritious meal.
Because of the vitamin D content, this recipe is a great pick for winter, too – for all those sunless days.
Can I Freeze Overnight Oats?
Yes! Frozen overnight oats last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just pull them out the day before and let them thaw. Give them a good mix prior to eating.
Caramelized Apple Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
- 1 cup water or milk, plus 1 tablespoon for caramelizing the apples
- 1 large apple, or 2 medium-sized; peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Peel and dice apple(s) into cubes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Melt the butter, then add the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of water and the chopped apples.
- Stir the mixture over medium high heat for about 3 minutes, then turn to low. Allow to cook for another 8-10 minutes – until the sauce is a golden brown color.
- Add the cinnamon, combine, and turn off the heat.
- Combine the oats, 1 cup of water, and Greek yogurt into a large bowl. Add the apples, reserving a small amount to top. Gently combine with a spoon or spatula. You could also just separate the ingredients into two separate containers and combine to save on dishes!
- Pour the mixed into each container. Top with chopped walnuts.
- Allow to refrigerate in an airtight container for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 2 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 566 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 36.7g | 47% |
| Saturated Fat 8.5g | 42% |
| Cholesterol 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium 94mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate 43.4g | 16% |
| Dietary Fiber 5.9g | 21% |
| Total Sugars 22.1g | |
| Protein 28.1g | |
| Vitamin D 4mcg | 20% |
| Calcium 158mg | 12% |
| Iron 5mg | 27% |
| Potassium 259mg | 6% |
