Pour some fresh apple cider onto old fashioned oats and the next morning you can start your day with oatmeal that is magically sweet and naturally delicious!
Once upon a time I made oatmeal almost every morning. Then things got complicated. First, I got a little bored with brown sugar as my sole flavoring. Until one day I discovered that you can mix in all sorts of sweet things into oatmeal. Including leftover Halloween candy. Yes, it was a whole new world.
However, candy isn’t exactly the healthiest way to start your mornings, at least not habitually. And there’s another nutritional snag that relates to oats. It’s called phytic acid. And it interferes with nutrient absorption.
However, by thinking ahead, I learned how to defeat this anti-nutrient. All you need to do is soak your oats overnight with something acidic to break down the phytic acid. Apple cider and a bit of lemon juice do the job nicely. You can also add buckwheat flour to boost the process further. What’s more, the soaked oats cook super quickly in the morning.
While I am partial to the hearty texture of old fashioned rolled oats, quick oats will work just as well. You can also use steel cut oats, and soaking them will speed up their cooking time considerably. Whatever oats you use, the natural sweetness of the cider means that no extra sugar needs to be added.
Nevertheless, if you want to indulge your sweet tooth, I’ve got some mix-in inspiration for you following the recipe. It’s totally decadent though. You have been warned.
Apple Cider Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1 + 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 + 1/2 cups apple cider (without preservatives)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons buckwheat flour, optional
- ground cinnamon or apple pie spice, to taste
- fresh plums, apples or pears, sliced
- pecans or almonds, optional
Directions:
- Combine oats, apple cider, and lemon juice in a non-reactive bowl. Cover and let soak overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cook the soaked oats by heating to a boil, adding a small amount of water if more moisture is needed. Stir frequently. Reduce heat to simmer for several minutes, stirring so that the oats do not burn.
- Serve warm oatmeal topped with fruit slices, cinnamon, and nuts. If desired, pour on almond milk, dairy milk, or other milk alternative.
Have you ever considered stirring a slice of pie into your morning bowl of oats? One taste and you will never have to worry about leftover pie lingering too long. Any trace of soggy crust just melts right into the oat-y goodness. Apple pie, berry pie, cherry pie, pumpkin pie…it’s all marvelous combined with oatmeal. Pie for breakfast is definitely a thing in our house.
I share recipes here and at Allergy Free Wednesday.
Swirls and Spice 
Love this idea! I have heard of overnight oats but never thought to do it with apple cider. I can only imagine the rich flavor!
Don’t just imagine. You have to taste it for yourself! 🙂
I love overnight oats and usually soak mine in water kefir or fresh lemon juice as well. Love the idea of soaking them in apple cider, I can’t wait to try that next time.This looks fantastic!
Thanks, Kelly! I think you will really enjoy them!
Oatmeal is one of the few things my picky two-year-old will actually eat (aside from french fries), so I’m pinning this for sure! It sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Merry Monday! 🙂
That’s great to hear! My three-year-old loved hers!
Love this idea since I can’t tolerate much dairy. Now I need to get to the store to buy some cider! – Kat
The oats really do soak up the cider flavor. Enjoy! 🙂
I love overnight oats! Such an easy and healthy breakfast. And the addition of buckwheat (a fav of mine) is wonderful! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays!
It’s good to be back. 🙂 The buckwheat is optional but makes the oats healthier for sure!
Just popping back to in to let you know I’m featuring this at this weekend’s party! Hope to see you there. 🙂
Julia, I am featuring it on Savoring Saturdays as well! I had no idea it was Raia’s pick too! 🙂
That’s great news! 🙂