Please tell me I’m not the only one who has eaten apple pie for breakfast. (Or cold pizza, for that matter…)
The year I turned nine, my grandma moved from Ohio out to California into a cute little house across town from us. I thought that was the best thing since Christmas because I fully expected her to bake for us all the time. She always tucked a few loaves of her famous zucchini bread into her suitcase whenever she visited before, so why would living in the same zip code be any different?
Mom explained on multiple occasions that no, Grandma’s job was not actually to bake bread and cookies for me—she did it to show that she loved me. Eventually I grasped the concept, but I still looked forward to the summers for birthday celebrations and the 4th of July.
Sometime during the two-week span between my birthday and Independence Day, Grandma usually baked at least one (if not two!) of her double-crusted apple pies. Crammed full of tender fruit slices covered in sweet cinnamon sugar between the flaky tops and bottoms, those pies disappeared in less than two days because of how many slices my dad and I snuck!
And yes, occasionally I dug into one for breakfast. It had fruit, after all!
Now that I’m older and wiser, I can generally avoid that temptation. (Living an hour and a half away from Grandma and her pies helps too!) But whenever the cravings hit a little too hard, I turn to this easy and healthy breakfast instead: Apple Pie Protein Overnight Oats!
These overnight oats are an amazing morning meal lifesaver. Because…
♥ They taste like dessert.
♥ They have over 14 grams of protein.
♥ They’re gluten-free and clean eating.
♥ They come together in less than 3 minutes.
♥ They’re ready as soon as you wake up.
♥ You only have to wash a mason jar, measuring spoon, and maybe a measuring cup (unless you use a kitchen scale!).
That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me!
Unsweetened applesauce provides the fruit part of the apple pie flavor. I like to stash those single-serving cups in the pantry, which contain a little less than half of the ¼ cup called for in the ingredients. If that’s all you have and would like to double the recipe, just use one single-serving cup. No need to peel open a second for the last few teaspoons!
Greek yogurt adds the big protein punch. It’s one of my favorite secret weapons to healthier baking and breakfasts! I use it in smoothies, parfaits, muffins, cupcakes, and even frosting. I always stock my fridge with a big tub or two and scoop out what I need. It’s cheaper and easier than buying the single-serving cups!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a breakfast date with dessert… And I hope you join me!
Apple Pie Protein Overnight Oats | | Print |
- ¼ c (25g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ½ c (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¼ c (60g) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp Truvia (or other sweetener, to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar or Tupperware container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before eating.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
More overnight oat recipes from other bloggers…
♥ Creamy Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Oats by Fit Foodie Finds
♥ Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats by The Healthy Maven
♥ Peach Streusel Overnight Oats by Chelsea’s Messy Apron
♥ Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats by Chic & Sugar
Another fabulous overnight oats recipe!
Thanks Liz!
served cold?
Yes Susan, straight from the fridge! I hope you enjoy the oats!
You don’t use milk with the oatmeal?
No Carol, no milk necessary! The Greek yogurt and applesauce replace the milk instead. I hope you enjoy the oats!
Ohhhh your Grandma sounds amazing!!! I love you thought of a way I can have Apple Pie for breakfast without feeling guilty.
Thanks Julie! Grandmas are amazing women. They always seem to bake the best desserts!
We actually have the same tastebuds…love this! Also.When I come to NYC we need to totally do cold pizza for breakfast- The best way to eat it!
Thanks Arman!
Dear Amy, this sounds so good. I love the idea of using yogurt rather than milk. Sounds wonderful. xo, Catherine
Thanks Catherine!
dessert for breakfast is always welcome , and we LOVE our overnight oats
As one dessert-for-breakfast lover to another, I was hoping you’d like this Heather! 🙂
Apple pie never goes out of style! And let’s be honest, neither does oatmeal 🙂 This is my kind of breakfast Amy, overnight for the win!
So true Mary Frances! And thank goodness for that. 😉
Can steel cut oats be used?
Yes! Steel cut outs should work just fine. I hope you enjoy the overnight oats!
Is there anyway to make this with quick oats? Shorten the time .
Quick oats will work just fine! I hope you enjoy the overnight oats Anne!