{original post was published on May 2014 and updated April 2025}

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between a warm hug of nostalgia and the need for a practical, nourishing breakfast—you’re not alone. Enter: Muesli-Style Overnight Oats with Grated Apple. This recipe hits all the right notes: simple, wholesome, make-ahead friendly, and full of flavour. It’s the kind of breakfast that feels like it took effort… even though your fridge did most of the work while you were snoozing.

Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, cut down on ultra-processed foods, or just want a breakfast that doesn’t come in a crinkly foil packet with an industrial-strength seal, this is for you.

Getting the right kind of food into your belly before you head out to work or school (or just running errands), isn’t always easy with all of the demands on us these days! That’s why having a recipe like these overnight oats in your back pocket is so important.

When my kids were in their “busy years”, playing hockey and running from event to event with a granola bar in their hands, recipes like these overnight oats were a Godsend. Because they are so customizable, almost everyone is a fan! The are full of all the good things (vitamins, calcium, fibre) and they are delicious to boot!!

I would love to know how you customize your own overnight oats…let me know how you do breakfast!!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nostalgia with a twist: Think back to those big bowls of Alpen or Bircher muesli from your childhood, but with a creamy, modern flair.
• Meal-prep friendly: Make a batch on Sunday and wake up ready for the week.
• Gut-loving ingredients: Oats, apples, and yogurt pack in fiber, probiotics, and gentle sweetness.
• Customizable: Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, low-sugar, or a protein junkie, this recipe adapts like a champ.
• Low-waste and budget-friendly: One apple, half a cup of oats, and boom—you’ve got a breakfast that feels fancy for pennies.

Ingredients For Overnight Oats

• rolled oats (not quick oats!)
• apple (a tart apple like Granny Smith works great)
• milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• plain yogurt (Greek or regular)/cottage cheese
• chia seeds or ground flax (for fiber and texture)
• cinnamon
• maple syrup or honey (optional)
• protein powder (or skim milk powder), optional
• hemp, optional
• chopped dates
• low sugar fruit or preserves (or fresh fruit)
• Jars (I like jars like this)

Instructions

1. Grate the apple
2. Combine oats, milk, yogurt/cottage cheese, grated apple, chia/flax, cinnamon, sweetener, dates, and protein powder and hemp (if using).
3. Stir well.
4. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. The next morning, divide mixture into 6 jars and top with more yogurt if desired and blueberry sauce or fresh fruit.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It actually gets better after a day or two, as the oats soften and flavours meld.
• Freezer: Portion into silicone muffin trays or freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave in very short bursts (only if you’re strapped for time!!).

Substitutions & Add-Ins

No need to stress if you don’t have everything on hand—here’s how to riff on the recipe:

Substitutions:

• Yogurt: Use a plant-based yogurt for dairy-free or add extra milk and a squeeze of lemon for tang.
• Milk: Any milk works—almond, oat, cow’s, soy, cashew.
• Apple: Try grated pear or even mashed banana.
• Chia seeds: Swap for ground flax or omit entirely if you don’t need the extra bulk.
• if using protein powder, you can sub in skim milk powder

Add-Ins:

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch.
• Dried fruit: Apricots, cranberries, raisins, chopped figs.
• Spices: Nutmeg, cardamom, ginger—go wild.
• Protein boost: A scoop of collagen, or powdered peanut butter.

Flavour Variations for Overnight Oats:

1. Carrot Cake Oats: Swap half the apple for grated carrot, add nutmeg, and top with walnuts.
2. PB&J Style: Stir in peanut butter and top with a spoonful of raspberry chia jam.
3. Tropical Vibes: Swap apple for pineapple, add coconut milk and shredded coconut.
4. Choco-Banana: Use mashed banana, cocoa powder, and top with dark chocolate chips.

Similar Recipes You Might Like:

• Crazy Healthy High Protein Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cups – If you love the ease of these jars, these portion-friendly baked cups are great for on-the-go mornings.
• Life Saving Healthy Granola – All the oat-nut-fruit goodness in a portable snack bar.
• The Fluffiest Sourdough (Discard) Pancakes – Fluffy, easy, and perfect if you want a gut-healthy meal!.
• Easy Brûléed Yogurt Spoons: A Fancy Breakfast with Zero Fuss – Similar flavours but a totally different texture—great if you want variety through the week.

Overnight Oats

This version of overnight oats will have your mornings moving more quickly than you can say "what's for breakfast?"

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

12 hours hrs

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

Oat Mixture:

• 2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats!)
• 2 medium apple, grated with peel on (a tart apple like Granny Smith works great)
• 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 cup plain yogurt (can use 1 cup yogurt and 1 cup blended cottage cheese if desired))
• 2 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax (for fiber and texture)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
• 1/2 cups chopped dates
• 1 tbsp protein powder (can sub in skim milk powder)
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)

To Finish:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen berries (you can use any berry)

Instructions

 

• Grate the apple with the skin on (yay fiber!) and set aside
• In a large bowl, combine oats, milk, yogurt/cottage cheese, grated apple, chia/flax, cinnamon, sweetener, and protein powder, hemp.
• Stir well to make sure everything’s distributed evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• In the morning, give it a stir, add a splash of milk if it’s too thick
• Assemble the pots by spooning equal amounts of the oat mixture into the bottom of 6 jars (or containers with lids); and then the berry mixture (you can add a layer of yogurt between the overnight oats and the berries)
• Close the jars with lids so they are ready for breakfast all week long!!