Description

Delight in a wholesome and naturally sweet breakfast with these Caramel Apple Overnight Oats featuring a luscious homemade Date Caramel. This easy-to-prepare, make-ahead recipe combines tender sautéed apples, warming cinnamon, and creamy oats soaked in vanilla almond milk, topped with fresh apple chunks and a rich date caramel drizzle for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

For the OATS:

1 apple, diced (Fuji or Honeycrisp recommended)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 cups oats
2 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
Extra chopped apples for topping (Granny Smith preferred)
Extra cinnamon for topping

For the DATE CARAMEL:

10 ounces Medjool dates, pitted (about 18–20 dates)
4–5 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

Sauté the Apples: Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the coconut oil. Add the diced apple along with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sauté for 5 minutes until the apples soften and become fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Mix the Overnight Oats: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Once mixed, fold in the cooled sautéed apples. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and flavors.
Prepare the Date Caramel: Place the pitted Medjool dates in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. The mixture may clump into a ball, which is expected. Add hot water one tablespoon at a time, blending between additions and scraping down the sides as needed. Continue until the mixture is smooth, sticky, and a lighter caramel color. The exact amount of water can vary depending on the freshness of the dates.
Assemble and Serve: Spoon the chilled overnight oats into bowls or jars. Top with additional chopped Granny Smith apples, a generous drizzle of the homemade date caramel, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth and flavor. Enjoy immediately or store refrigerated for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast.

Notes

Use fresh, sticky Medjool dates for the smoothest caramel; older dates may require more water.
The cinnamon amount can be adjusted to suit your taste preference.
For a more indulgent version, consider adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using certified gluten-free oats.
Prepare the oats a day ahead to allow the best texture and flavor development.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: No-cook (except sautéing apples and date caramel preparation)
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 45 mg
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 58 g
Fiber: 9 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: overnight oats, caramel apple oatmeal, date caramel, healthy breakfast, make ahead oats, vegan breakfast, apple cinnamon oats