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This applesauce overnight oatmeal is an easy, healthy breakfast option for those busy mornings! Kids love the apple cinnamon flavor combo, which tastes warm and cozy, even cold from the fridge. Made with simple ingredients kids know and love, it’s an ideal way to nourish them and sneak in some extra fiber to start their day off right!
Overnight Oats with Applesauce
Anything oat-related is popular in our house, and this applesauce overnight oatmeal is no exception! Apples, cinnamon, and maple pair so well together, and my kids love the different textures and flavors.
Plus, oats and apples are both high in heart-healthy fiber, which can help keep your kids full for longer (AKA less snack attacks). They’re the perfect way to start the day and couldn’t be easier! Just grab a jar from the fridge and serve for easy, healthy breakfasts all week long!
For more overnight oats recipes, check out these BLW Overnight Oats!
Why We Love These Applesauce Overnight Oats
- Easy make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings
- Formulated by a registered dietitian to be nutritionally balanced for young kids
- Warm, cozy fall flavors (great for back-to-school!)
- The beta-glucan solube fiber in oats supports healthy digestion and blood sugar levels
- Kid-friendly flavor combination
- Naturally sweetened with maple syrup for extra flavor (or skip for no added sugar!)
- Can be made dairy-free and gluten-free
Ingredient Notes
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Choose old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats, which will soften too quickly.
- Milk: Any type of milk or dairy-free milk such as almond milk or oat milk will do. I recommend using unsweetened non-dairy milk when possible to keep the sugar lower. You can use whole milk if serving to babies.
- Unsweetened applesauce: For extra fiber, try making homemade unsweetened applesauce or choose your favorite brand from the store.
- Chia seeds: These will add extra healthy fats and fiber and they’ll help thicken the overnight oats for the perfect texture.
- Pure maple syrup: This is optional, but it adds just enough sweetness and a wonderful flavor that pairs well with the apples and cinnamon
- Ground cinnamon: For that warm fall flavor. Apple pie spice is a nice alternative.
- Fresh apple: Rather than using applesauce alone, I like to add shredded or finely diced apple pieces for extra crunch.
Optional toppings:
- Raisins or chopped dates
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients in bowl or container with a lid (except for any toppings).
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours but overnight is best.
- Before serving, stir the oats to loosen, and add a bit of additional milk to make it more creamy if desired. Scoop into a small bowl or jar. Top with desired toppings or serve as is.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
RECIPE TIPS
- If making these overnight oats for babies, finely shred the apple or cook the diced apple until softened.
- The applesauce naturally sweetens the oats, but you can add a bit of maple syrup to taste if desired.
- If you choose to add toppings, save the dried fruit and chopped nuts for older children and adults, as they can be a choking hazard for younger children.
- For younger children, you may want to divide the serving into smaller individual mason jars so that you serve only the amount they will eat at a time.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Most overnight oat recipes can be warmed on the stove or microwaved before serving, and this simple recipe tastes especially wonderful warm. I recommend heating it in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. The raw apple pieces will soften, which can be quite nice and helpful for babies who are just starting to eat solid foods. You may want to add a little extra milk to thin it out, but that’s it!
There are several different ways to load up on protein, but first, it can help to know that kids require much less protein than adults. Toddlers (1-3 years old) need about 13g of protein per day, and children (ages 4-8) only need 19g. This recipe already contains 14g of protein per serving, which is perfectly suitable for breakfast.
If you would like to add extra protein, try adding a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter. Kids do not generally need protein powder, but this can be a good option for adults!
Yes, raw apples are a great addition to overnight oats! In fact, this is a traditional way to prepare muesli, and the raw apple pieces add a satisfying flavor and texture. This also allows the oats to absorb two types of apple flavors: the fresh fruit flavor and sweet cooked apple sauce. It’s a great way to use up lots of apples during apple season, too!
Storage Guidelines
- This overnight oats recipe should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It can be eaten cold from the jar or warmed on the stove or in the microwave. For meal prep, only make as many servings as your family can eat within the next couple of days. If the oats sit too long, they start to soften and become mushy.
Serving Suggestions
This applesauce overnight oatmeal recipe is intended to be served as a complete breakfast for the whole family! It can be served straight from the fridge or warmed in the microwave.
Feel free to pair it with scrambled eggs for extra protein, but it has plenty of carbohydrates, fats, and fiber to keep your kids full for hours.
You can also add your favorite toppings, like chopped nuts, a drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter, chopped dried fruits, and more.
Recipe Variations
- Make stovetop oatmeal: Instead of letting the oats sit overnight, make them on the stove! This will soften the fresh apple pieces, too. You may need to add extra milk, but it’s a lovely hot breakfast option on those cold mornings!
- Add a little extract: Almond or vanilla extract would add a nice boost of flavor! You may want to choose an alcohol-free extract since these oats are for kids.
- Try it with pears: Pear sauce and fresh pears are a great alternative to apples and would taste fantastic in this healthy recipe! For overnight oats, choose a firm variety of pear to make sure it doesn’t soften too much.
- Make gluten-free overnight oats: Use certified gluten-free oats.
Like it? Save this recipe for later!
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Apple Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- 3-Ingredient Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
- Baked Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
- Healthy Baked Oats For One
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Applesauce Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup milk or milk alternative
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or apple pie spice)
- 1/4 cup finely diced or shredded apple
Optional Toppings
- Raisins or chopped dates
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients in bowl or container with a lid (except for any toppings).
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours but overnight is best.
- Before serving, stir the oats to loosen, and add a bit of additional milk to make it more creamy if desired. Top it with desired toppings or serve as is.
