Creamy, natural peanut butter and crisp, juicy apples are the perfect natural sweetener for overnight steel cut oats.
Apple season continues here in Michigan and to celebrate, we recently picked up a big bag of crisp gala apples from a local orchard. Is there anything worse than a mealy apple? I vote no.
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Truth be told: I love a fresh apple but a fresh apple mixed with creamy natural peanut butter? Yes, please. All of my friends know that I am mildly obsessed with Koeze natural peanut butter. Not only is it roasted locally here in Grand Rapids but it comes in the most adorable glass jar.
This is thrilling for two reasons:
1. The glass jar can be microwaved. (Warm peanut butter anyone?)
2. When the peanut butter is almost gone, the jar instantly becomes a re-sealable container for overnight oats.
If you love the idea of making breakfast the evening before but don’t love the idea of cold oats, simply pop the jar in the microwave and a warm breakfast will be ready in 30 seconds.
Your fork spoon is waiting.
- 1/4 c steel cut oats
- 1/2 c milk fat free
- 1/3 c plain yogurt low fat
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbs peanut butter natural or whatever is left in jar
- 1/4 banana sliced
- 1/2 apple cored and diced
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In an almost-empty peanut butter jar or another resealable glass jar, combine all ingredients except banana and apples.
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Seal jar and refrigerate overnight.
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Top with banana slices and diced apple in the morning.
Recipe Video
Serve cold, room temp or pop in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm. Steel cuts will have a nice chew to them but if you prefer to cook them further, add 1/4 c extra milk and microwave for 90 seconds.
Photography by Alejandro Photography // Recipe by The Lemon Bowl
Melissa Ramey
These are hands down the worst overnight oats I have ever had. I’ve tried a million recipes. There is too much liquid, not much flavor, and a ton of calories. Maybe peanut butter would help or chia seeds maybe less milk. I don’t know.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Melissa,
So sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy these oats. I’m slightly confused, you said “maybe peanut butter would help” but peanut butter is, in fact an ingredient. Did you make substitutions to my recipe? If so, that might be why you’re not happy with the end result. Let me know – I’d love to help you make this recipe correctly. We love it and eat it frequently! -Liz
Melissa Ramey
I meant to write peanut butter powder. I used natural peanut butter. I made these oats exactly to your recipe. I made no substitutions. Hope that clears up your confusion. I’m not sure how you are going to help me make overnight oats correctly. It’s a bunch of ingredients in a jar; either those ingredients work together or they don’t. I don’t write reviews to offend the author. I write reviews to help other people in search of great recipes understand if this is a good choice for them or not. These oats are not flavorful, they are thin, they are calorie dense.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Melissa,
Thank you so much for your candid opinion of my recipe. Like I said, we make these often and my 6 year old loves them. We just made them last week and he finished the whole jar – haha. Either way I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy them and encourage you to try another one of my oatmeal recipes (https://thelemonbowl.com/oatmeal/). Perhaps you might prefer my Peaches and Cream (https://thelemonbowl.com/peaches-and-cream-overnight-oats/) or Slow Cooker Gingerbread (https://thelemonbowl.com/slow-cooker-gingerbread-oatmeal/)
Thanks again for writing and have a great day!
Jennifer
I, too, am wondering if Old Fashioned Oats will work in place of the Steel Cut? Will any of the measurements change if using the Old Fashioned?
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely! Any kind of oats will work! No need to change measurements. :) Enjoy!
Lexi
Is it possible to freeze these so that I can make them in bulk and then have them for a week or 2 to thaw & have in the morning?
Liz DellaCroce
I wouldn’t recommend freezing them but you can make it on a Sunday in a big bowl and scoop it out for several days!
Deborah
I dont have steel cut oats. will ‘old-fashioned oats work? thanks! im excited to try this!
jamie
can this be done with almond milk and almond yogurt? I assume it’s simply the liquid that helps ‘cook’ the oats overnight?
i may just have to try!
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely!! You got it – the liquid basically softens (aka cooks) the oats so that it’s easy to eat. I like mine on the chewier side but some people like their oats a bit more mushy and add more liquid. Totally up to you! Enjoy!
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking}
Absolutely amazing breakfast… so healthy! :)
The Lemon Bowl
Thanks Rachael!! I love that it can all be done in advance!! :)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
YUM!! This looks amazing Liz! Great way to use those michigan apples!
The Lemon Bowl
Thanks sista!! The apples are so tasty right now. Life is too short for mealy apples. ;-)
Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama
This looks like a great way to change up my usual PB and banana. And I love the overnight idea.
The Lemon Bowl
Totally- add whatever you have around! Let me know what you think!
carrian
I totally need that this morning. My little bowl of Special K just isn’t cutting it.
The Lemon Bowl
It’s definitely filling – nothing worse than being hungry an hour after you eat. :-) Let me know if you give it a try!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
That sounds awesome! I have just finally started eating oatmeal for breakfast after years of wanting to but not enjoying it. My new go-to is 1/2 almond milk and 1/2 water with a pinch of salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract and a teaspoon of each raisins and maple syrup. I eat PB and apples as a snack almost everyday so this is right up my alley – I have to try it!
The Lemon Bowl
That’s one of my favorite go-to snacks, too!! Sometimes I buy apples just as an excuse to consume PB. ;-)
Lee
I have never made OO with steel cut oats! I didn’t think it would work. Must TRY!
The Lemon Bowl
It definitely works!!! I actually love using steel cuts for overnight oats since normally it would take 20 minutes! Enjoy!!