1. 1. Combine Dry Ingredients in a Jar: In a medium-sized jar or container with a lid (a pint-sized Mason jar works perfectly), add the rolled oats, protein powder, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg. Give them a quick stir with a spoon to ensure all the dry ingredients are well combined. This prevents clumps of protein powder later on.

2. 2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the unsweetened almond milk. If you’re using maple syrup or honey for added sweetness, add it now. Stir everything thoroughly until there are no dry spots remaining at the bottom of the jar. Make sure the protein powder is fully dissolved.

3. 3. Stir in the Diced Apple: Gently fold in the finely diced apple pieces. You want them distributed throughout the mixture so you get a bite of apple with every spoonful. A small pinch of salt can also be added here to enhance the flavors.

4. 4. Seal and Refrigerate: Place the lid securely on your jar or container. Transfer it to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight (8 hours). This chilling time is crucial for the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid and soften, creating that creamy, pudding-like texture.

5. 5. Check Consistency and Adjust (Optional): In the morning, open the jar and give the oats a good stir. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a splash more almond milk (about 1-2 tablespoons) until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, it means the oats didn’t fully absorb, which is rare but can happen if there was too much liquid initially or not enough chilling time.

6. 6. Serve and Enjoy: Your apple cinnamon protein overnight oats are now ready to eat! You can enjoy them cold straight from the fridge, or if you prefer a warm breakfast, gently heat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway through. Add any desired toppings before serving.