One of the cheapest breakfast recipes imaginable – not to mention insanely tasty and satisfying. Learn how to make applesauce overnight oatmeal and immediately start saving money on breakfast.

This is a guest post from Lauren, a.k.a. The Oatmeal Artist. Her blog is devoted exclusively to healthy and delicious oatmeal recipes.

Overnight oats are the trifecta of breakfast recipes:

1. They’re one of the cheapest recipes imaginable;
2. They literally make themselves in the fridge overnight;
3. They can be prepared/flavored in so many different ways. Here’s one recipe to get you started. 

Learning To Love Oatmeal

Hey, everyone! My name is Lauren, and you and I already have at least one thing in common:  we like cooking on the cheap. For me, this means starting my day with a bowl of porridge.

Readers of my blog never stop raving about their obsession with oatmeal. I, of course, understand this addiction; I’ve eaten oatmeal for breakfast religiously for the past two years.

Overnight oatmeal is a magical creation. It literally prepares itself.

You throw the ingredients in a mason jar (or any sealable container), mix them up, and the oats absorb the liquids overnight, making them soft and pudding-like. No cooking necessary!

You can eat them cold, but I throw mine in the microwave for a minute and a half because I like the comfort of hot porridge.

Tip: Serve this breakfast in individual mason jars.

Make Your Own Applesauce In 10 Minutes

This recipe easy and thrifty. There’s room for personalizing it because you can use homemade applesauce, like I did.

If you’re thinking that applesauce is too much work to make from scratch, guess what? I made mine in less than 10 minutes using the microwave. And yeah, it’s just as good if not better than any applesauce I’ve ever purchased at the grocery store.

If you opt for a plain store-bought applesauce, make sure you add some cinnamon or apple pie spice to give it some more life.

Scroll down for instructions.

---

FAQs for Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal

Q: What kind of oats are best for overnight oatmeal?

A: Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for overnight oatmeal. They soften overnight without turning mushy. Quick oats can become too soft, and steel cut oats won’t soften enough without cooking.

Q: Do you cook applesauce overnight oatmeal?

A: No cooking is required. The oats absorb the liquid in the refrigerator overnight. You can eat them cold or warm them in the microwave before eating.

Q: Can I use store-bought applesauce instead of homemade?

A: Yes. Plain, unsweetened applesauce works best. If your applesauce is very mild, adding cinnamon or apple pie spice helps boost the flavor.

Q: Is applesauce overnight oatmeal eaten cold or hot?

A: Either works. Many people enjoy it cold straight from the fridge, but it can also be microwaved for about 1–2 minutes if you prefer warm oatmeal.

Q: How long does overnight oatmeal last in the fridge?

A: Overnight oatmeal keeps well for 3–4 days when stored in a sealed container, making it perfect for meal prep.

Q: Can I make applesauce overnight oatmeal dairy-free or vegan?

A: Yes. Use water or a non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk. This recipe is naturally vegan when made without dairy.

Q: Why is my overnight oatmeal too thick or too thin?

A: If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of milk or water before eating. If it’s too thin, add a tablespoon or two of oats and let it sit for a bit longer.

---

More Affordable Oatmeal Recipes

Oats are extremely affordable and can be prepared in so many different ways. Here are a few of my favorite oat-based recipes:

• Apple oatcakes (just $1 for two servings!)
• Simple baked oatmeal (just 46 cents per serving!)
• Baked oatmeal cups
• Muesli
• Crock Pot apple oatmeal
• How to make steel cut oats in the slow cooker
• Apple-cinnamon in-a-mug cake

Do you want to immediately start saving money on the food you make? Follow me on Instagram, where I post new recipe updates and money-saving tips. I’ve got a bunch of great ideas up my sleeve.