This post is sponsored by Autumn Glory Apples. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over a month ago, I attended an online food photography summit as a speaker along with more than 20 photographers. Each of us was given a set of questions and a topic to choose from. In addition to talking about the technical aspects of food photography (i.e. my photography equipment and my workflow in Lightroom – a software photographers use to edit their photos), I chose to talk about the emotional aspect of being a food photographer in a world where one’s Instagram follower count could be viewed as a determining factor of his/her work’s value.
It was a very honest conversation in that I talked about how I deal with online jealousy, how to be okay with it and how to turn those feelings to your advantage as a photographer.
A few hours after it aired, my mailbox started filling up with e-mails from the viewers of the workshop telling me how much they were able to relate to those feelings I talked about. Needless to say, I was so humbled and flattered that my challenges resonated with people. One of those e-mails was from a wedding and food photographer named Lauren (check out her breathtaking portfolio here). She sent me the sweetest e-mail telling me how my message resonated with her and that she found it to be inspiring.
She also mentioned that she lives in Augusta, Georgia (2 hours East of Atlanta) and if I needed a hand in a project that she would be more than happy to help. After a few e-mails back and forth, last Saturday she made the trip to Atlanta to help me shoot the video for this Overnight Apple Muesli. An hour in to our meeting, it felt like we were old friends, who knew each other for years. Our love for photography, social media, and food made it all so easy to connect. More than anything, I thought it was so refreshing to have a new photographer friend.
On that Saturday, I had one of the best times I have ever had for the longest time chatting, shooting and eating with a fellow foodie. Sadly, we won’t be able to have these shooting dates as we are leaving Atlanta in a few weeks, but we promised each other to keep in touch and have our next photoshoot in our new place in Vermont.
About this Overnight Apple Muesli
Onto the recipe…
If you are a regular reader of this blog you would know, I am a big fan of oatmeal and porridge in general. Yes, I do love an occasional 2-eggs-over-easy served with crusty French baguette, but truth be told, a bowl of healthy and nutritious oatmeal excites me more than any egg dish.
This muesli with almond milk recipe is no different. It is my go-to breakfast when I am short on time and want something quick, healthy, and filling. Though I make variations of this by changing up the fruit, this version is my favorite, especially because I used my favorite apple variety, Autumn Glory Apples. As I mentioned in my Cheesy Apple Bites recipe post back in November, they offer a candy-like sweetness with caramel and cinnamon undertones with every bite, making them the perfect apple variety for this recipe.
How to make Overnight Apple Muesli
The process of making this overnight gluten-free muesli recipe could not be simpler.
You start with shredding apples into a large bowl. Then you add in the oats (I used Trader Joes’ gluten-free ground oats), chia seeds, almond milk, almond yogurt, sliced almonds, ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. After you give it a good mix, all you have to do is to refrigerate it overnight to have a bowl of goodness waiting for you in the morning.
I topped my overnight muesli off with fresh berries and pomegranate arils, but feel free to use whatever fruit you have in the fridge. Though in my opinion, this muesli is perfectly enjoyable without any toppings as well.
How Long Does Muesli Last
As long as it is kept in an airtight container, this healthy overnight muesli will keep fresh up to 3 days.
A Few Variations for This Vegan and Gluten-Free Muesli
As you will see in the recipe below, in addition to using the sweet Autumn Glory Apples, I used some maple syrup to sweeten the muesli. However, you can also use fresh dates and honey (if you are not observing a vegan diet) as a substitute.
Finally, I also recommend trying this healthy overnight muesli with coconut yogurt, coconut milk, and unsweetened coconut flakes. Similar to the almond combination I used, when mixed in with the caramel-y Autumn Glory Apples, coconut flavors land a surprisingly delicious flavor combo as well.
To get more information on Autumn Glory Apples, check out their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Other Healthy Breakfast Bowl Recipes You Might Like
- Slow-Cooker Steel Cut Oats
- Warm Farro Breakfast Bowl with Cinnamon Apples
- Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
- Forbidden Rice
- Baked Oatmeal with Date Butter, Apples and Walnuts
- Almond Kasha Porridge with Ginger and Pineapple
- Overnight Coconut Buckwheat Porridge
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Slow Cooker Unsweetened Applesauce
- Steel Cut Oats Recipe Overnight
- Chia Seed Oatmeal
- Pressure Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal
Overnight Apple Muesli
Ingredients
- 2 Autumn Glory apples peeled and shredded
- 1 cup ground oats I used Trader Joes’ gluten-free oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2-3 tablespoons or more sliced almonds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2/3 cup unsweetened almond yogurt or any other yogurt of your choice, like soy, coconut, milk, etc.
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup mixed berries or any other seasonal fruit
- a few fresh mint leaves as garnish
Instructions
- Place the shredded apples, oats, chia seeds, sliced almonds, almond milk, almond yogurt, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a bowl. Mix to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to eat, divide the muesli in between 4 bowls, top them off with berries and garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.
Video
Notes
As long as it is kept in an airtight container and in the fridge, this muesli will keep fresh up to 3 days.
Sophie | The Green Life
I’m so sad I missed this photography summit! I was signed up but ended up being away. I’m sure your talk was really inspiring. How great that you’ve met Lauren through this experience. I love when online conversations transform into real-life friendships. And this video is so fun! What a lovely collaboration! <3
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you Sophie. Oh that summit was truly great. A lot of great information was shared. 🙂
I,too, love when online conversations turn into friendships and I got really lucky with her. I hope we can meet someday too. 🙂
Cheers!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
I saw this video on Instagram earlier and loved it! I didn’t see it with the sound, though — that made it extra fun. I’ve never tried grating apples into my oatmeal, but I’m going to have to try it now. What a great way to get the apple flavor all throughout, instead of just the odd chunk here and there.
It’s so cool that you and Lauren were able to collaborate! I wish I had other bloggers nearby to work and chat with. And I can absolutely relate to what you said about how social media can feel like it has such a big impact on your value. I struggle with that off and on. It’s so easy to think of our lives online in terms of numbers and statistics, but when I start falling into that dark hole, I remind myself that each of those numbers is a person. saying “I have a hundred likes on facebook” might sound depressing if you compare yourself to others who have more, but saying “there are a hundred people who are currently enjoying what I do.” — wow. That changes everything. If there were a hundred people in my housing clapping for me, or telling me they like my work, I’d be overwhelmed. I know it isn’t that simple when it comes to working with brands or advertisers, but on a personal level I find that mindset really helpful. It makes me love what I do so much more, and helps me not got sucked into the black-hole of comparing myself to others online. 🙂
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you so much for your kind words Willow. It makes me so happy to get such comments as – I am sure you know – a lot of work goes into creating a 1-minute video, a blog post with photos, recipe, and writing. Still, I am not sure if anything would compare to some of us, who are posting 31 (!!!!!) recipes in 31 days in a row! 🙂
The comparing myself to others seems like a challenge for everyone, who creates something out of nowhere. Like you said, it is a dark hole, but every time it happens to me I remind myself to stay in my own lane and continue to do my best. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t, but I still try. And no matter what I continue to create. Good or bad, it is my work. I know this is all easier said than done, but I have been in that “dark hole” too many times in the past and I do my bestest to not go in there again.
Like you said, it is so nice to have a photographer friend. I got really lucky with Laura.
We are in the middle of moving from Atlanta to Vermont, but in the future, if you ever visit Vermont I’d love to play photography with you too. :))
Cheers!
Alana
First off, this apple muesli is beautiful… however, VERMONT!!!? What!! That is awesome sis!!
Aysegul Sanford
Well, thank you my friend. 🙂 Yes, can you believe it? We are moving to Vermont!!! Dwight accepted a job in South Vermont back in (end of) December. He already started working. I am still in Atlanta doing all the moving related stuff.
You see, now you need to come back to eat cheese with me again.. How about that?!! 🙂
thalia
omg!!! i adore these photos! and for sure making some overnight oats, i love waking up to breakfast already done! Xx
Aysegul Sanford
You and me both.. 🙂 Thank you Thalia. I hope you’ll try this simple recipe before summer ends in Australia. Cheers!
amanda paa
gosh, i wish i could have heard that talk, as it definitely affects us all in this space, at some point i think. love everything that came out of it though in terms of the discussions you’ve been and having, and then meeting one of the people in real life! nothing like turning something beautiful with other creatives.
Aysegul Sanford
I love social media for this reason. It connects people in such a fun way. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by Amanda. 🙂
Emily
I have so much admiration for you being willing to share from the heart so honestly. I need to hear your talk! (How do I do that? I’ll check more on the website. Looks so neat!) And what a beautiful friendship it sounds like you started. Your apple muesli looks like it’s straight out of a bed and breakfast. 🙂
Aysegul Sanford
I know, right.. We all struggle with the same issue, but nobody talks about it. It was such a relief to be open about it. 🙂
Thank you my friend <3
Valentina @Hortus
No surprise your talk was a success, I’m sure all of us can relate to those feelings 🙂 it’s wonderful that you chose to address such an important topic that we all probably find challenging to take out in public. I would have loved to hear it! Is there no podcast / recording?And the creaminess of these oats just make me salivate! <3
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Valentina.. I think it is available on a website called beyondtheeats.com/food-photography-summit
I think those feelings are universal. As creatives, we all go through them one way or another. When those feelings arise, I try to remind myself to stay on my own lane and write my own story. Sometimes it is so easy.. Sometimes very hard. Such as life, no?
Sending much love to beautiful Venice <3
betty
Dude, I totally feel ya – and I’m so glad you talked a bout it (wish I could’ve heard it!), because it’s something that I think haunts a great majority of us – due to the nature of social media and the instant feedback, it’s something we can’t help but notice and file away. Also, I’m all for porridge of any kind, but overnight is especially meaningful because it’s SO EASY to make and can be brought anywhere! I used to prep these and bring it to the clinic so that I could eat it for lunch! So versatile.
PS- VERMONT? Where!? come visit!
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you for your kind words Betty. I feel you, believe me…
I, too, love porridge if any kind and this one is one that I keep making over and over again. 🙂
PS: We will be in Manchester VT and can’t wait to meet you in person.
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
One of my absolute favorite things is meeting like minded, lovely souls in real life. Reading your post about this just made me feel so much better about having those feeling, I think we all have them! I have to keep reminding myself that my worth isn’t tied to a number, no matter how much it might seem so. I’m always looking for a sweet apple recipe, this is right on the money!
Aysegul Sanford
YAY! It makes me so happy to hear that it resonated with you Abby. I am a huge opponent of laying it out there as it is and that I think more people should do that.
Apples make this recipe shine, but they do in any recipe, no? 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen
Yesss I am such a morning bircher muesli person too – heading straight over to the rest of your linked oat recipes for more morning inspiration! And I’m sure 99% of people on social media can relate to your talk in some way or another – it seems near impossible not to feel a little jealous/envious of someone else’s life and work at some point, especially when it is in your face all the time.
Colleen
Good morning..I was watching your video and your recipe calls for “ground” oats (not even sure what that is), but to me it just looked like regular oatmeal you put in. Could you clarify that for me please? Thanks
Aysegul Sanford
Hello Colleen.. Sure. You are right, the ground oats is what most people use to make oatmeal. I think the biggest difference is that they are not the instant (or cooking cooking) oats. I use Trader Joes’ gluten-free oats, but Quaker Oats is another one that you can use. I am not sure where you live, but as long as you use regular oatmeal oats, you should be fine.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I am always here to help. Cheers!
Village Bakery
OMG I LOVE YOU! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It was amazing!