This 5-Ingredient Breakfast Tastes Just Like a Caramel Apple

There I was, eating my millionth bowl of cereal and feeling like, “This again?” My busy workdays had me in a breakfast rut. Early morning meetings with clients would have me running to my pantry for quick bites that I could scarf down in two minutes before jumping onto my calls.

But do breakfasts really have to be this way? Could they be quick and simple, but also fun and nourishing? I thought back to some of my favorite foods I’d had recently, back to fall apple picking and the state fair. Visions of caramel apples danced in my head.

And then I looked down at my bowl of cereal and thought, “I really want a caramel apple right now...” But, instead of actually making a caramel apple for breakfast, I decided to stir those flavors into an easy, grab-and-go breakfast: overnight oats.

Easy, Fun, and Wholesome

Overnight oats allow you to keep your easy morning routine but switch up the flavors and textures endlessly. Overnight oats, at their most basic, are simply one part oats mixed with one part milk and left to soak overnight in the fridge. But they don’t end there: you can swap the milk for yogurt, add mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit, flavor them with spices or jams… the opportunities are legion.

Overnight oats are also a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, so starting your day with a jarful will give you the energy you need to power through the day. Simply whip up a jar of overnight oats in 10 minutes the night before, and breakfast is ready when you wake up.

Five Simple Ingredients

I start by mixing old-fashioned rolled oats with vanilla Greek yogurt and a little water. I like using yogurt instead of milk for a solid protein boost, and it makes the oats extra creamy. You could easily substitute plain yogurt—it will be a bit less sweet, so add more sweetener if you want.

For mix-ins, I swirl in some melted store-bought salted caramel sauce. Brown sugar can be used instead of caramel sauce, but you won’t get as vivid a state fair flashback! Next, fold in chopped apples. I use Honeycrisp, but Pink Lady or Granny Smith are also delicious.

If you’re a nut-coated caramel apple kind of person, I support you. Top your overnight oats with chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts after the overnight soak. You can also mix chia or hemp seeds in with the yogurt for added fiber and healthy fats.

Serving and Storage

Call me crazy, but I love my overnight oats cold. If that seems weird to you, no worries. Just warm them up in the microwave in the morning, drizzle with more warmed caramel sauce, and sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top.

I whip up my overnight oats in a food storage container, but a mason jar works great too for a tight seal that you can throw in your work bag. If you have leftover oats or want to make a double batch for a week’s worth of breakfasts, they’ll keep in the fridge for about three days.