I don’t know about you, but I think nothing says fall like the combination of apple, cinnamon, and walnuts. And this Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe is probably the easiest way to fill your house with the smells of fall. It tastes like apple pie, but it is healthier.
If you are like me, a huge fan of apples and cinnamon, be sure to also check out our Apple Almond Flour Muffins, Apple Roses, and Dairy-Free Apple Crisp recipes.
Whether you are a morning person like me or someone who prefers to sleep until the last minute, I am pretty sure the unmistakably autumn aroma of this homemade apple oatmeal cooking on the stovetop will lure even the sleepiest member of your family out of bed.
It’s an easy way to set the mood for the fall season, and similar to my other breakfast bowl recipes, it’s ready in only 15 minutes. Bonus – it’s also vegan, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free!
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:
You probably already have a handful of ingredients you need to make this Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal in your pantry. Below is everything you need:
- Oil: We use oil to sautee apples and cinnamon before adding in the oats and milk. We use coconut oil, but avocado oil, butter, or clarified butter (also known as ghee) would also work in this apple oatmeal breakfast recipe.
- Fresh Apples: We use Honeycrisp apples, but any other variety of apples, like Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala, and Granny Smith Apples, would also work. Peeling them is optional, but we recommend cutting them into 1-inch cubes. You can also use two different kinds of apples if you want to take your apple pie oatmeal recipe to the next level.
- Spices: You’ll need ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Nuts: We are using unsalted walnuts, but pecans or almonds would also work well in this recipe. If you have the time, we recommend toasting your nuts for a few minutes to enhance their flavors.
- Rolled Oats: Of all the different kinds of oats, rolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats) are probably the easiest to find, and therefore, it is what we are using in this apple oatmeal breakfast. Use gluten-free oats if you are following a gluten-free diet. If you are new to the world of oats and want to know more about them, be sure to check out our detailed articles on Rolled Oats vs. Steel-Cut Oats and Quick Oats vs. Rolled Oats.
- Milk: We used unsweetened almond milk, but any dairy or non-dairy milk (such as coconut milk, oat milk, or regular milk) would work in this recipe. You can also make Almond Milk from Almond Butter in a pinch. Either way, we recommend using sugar-free milk to keep it healthy.
- Superfoods: To boost protein and to keep you full for longer, we used a tablespoon of chia seeds. However, you can also add ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, and even your favorite protein powder to up the nutrition of this apple oats recipe.
- Sweetener: We wanted this homemade apple oatmeal recipe to be sugar-free, so instead of adding sugar to the mixture, we opted for a drizzle of maple syrup in the end. However, if you prefer it to be sweeter, you can use brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, or regular granulated sugar and add it to the oatmeal mixture as you are cooking it.
- Optional Toppings: We sprinkled our apple and cinnamon oatmeal with diced apples, walnuts, and pomegranate arils for a pop of color. However, when it comes to toppings, the sky is the limit. Feel free to add a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter (a great way to add some protein to the recipe), raisins (or cranberries), and even a dollop of vanilla yogurt.
Optional Add-ins and Substitutions:
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract is an easy way to enhance the sweet flavors of the apples.
- Apple Juice: For a richer apple taste, consider replacing some of the milk with apple juice. A good place to start is 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice with 1 1/2 cups of milk.
- Applesauce: While we prefer this recipe with diced and sauteed apples, you can still make this apple cinnamon breakfast with applesauce instead. Simply skip the sauteing of the apples and add 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce into the oat mixture.
- Cranberry Sauce: Making this easy oatmeal recipe during the holiday season? A dollop of leftover maple cranberry sauce is a delicious way to sweeten it.
- Spices: While we opted for the basic cinnamon and nutmeg, you can experiment with adding other spices, such as ground cardamom and apple spice.
- Salt: It is optional, but as it is with any sweet recipe, adding a pinch of salt to the oatmeal mixture will help enhance and balance the sweet flavor of apples.
- Cooking liquid: Alternatively, you can make this apple cinnamon oats recipe using water instead of milk. If you decide to do so, please keep in mind that it will be less creamy.
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal on Stove Top?
The steps to making this easy apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe are twofold, and it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish. Below are the steps:
- Saute apples and spices: Start by heating coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add apples and sauté, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes. Add the ground cinnamon and nutmeg and cook for 10 more seconds.
- Make oatmeal: Add the nuts, rolled oats, milk, and chia seeds (if using). Stir to combine and cook, keeping a close eye on it and stirring occasionally until thickened for 8-10 minutes.
- Serve with toppings: Ladle into bowls, and garnish with fresh diced apples (or other fruits like pomegranate seeds), more nuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup. If preferred, you can sprinkle it with more ground cinnamon and an extra splash of milk.
On a side note, we based the recipe for this healthy apple cinnamon oatmeal on my Oatmeal with Almond Milk and Chia Seeds recipe, which happens to be one of the most popular recipes on Foolproof Living. It is a great recipe to show you how to make oatmeal on the stovetop if you are new to making oatmeal for breakfast or in need of a works-every-time recipe.
How To Meal Prep, Store, and Reheat?
One of the reasons why we love making this healthy apple cinnamon oatmeal is that it is a great meal prep-friendly breakfast recipe that you can make over the weekend and enjoy in the next few days. Perfect for busy mornings! Here is how we do it:
- Meal Prep: Make the apple oatmeal recipe as written but refrain from adding the toppings. Divide it among four mason jars and let it cool on the counter. Once fully cooled, cover it tightly with a lid and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, be sure to top it off with your favorite toppings.
- Storing leftovers: Store the leftover cinnamon apple oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: While you can enjoy this recipe warm, cold, or at room temperature, we like to reheat it in the microwave if we are serving it on a crisp fall morning. To do so, transfer the apple porridge into a bowl, add a splash of milk (or water), and give it a stir. Place in the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments stirring every time until it is warmed to your liking.
How to make this Oatmeal recipe in the microwave?
If you’d rather make this homemade cinnamon apple oatmeal in the microwave, simply:
- Start with cooking the apples: Sprinkle cubed apples with cinnamon and place in a large microwave-safe bowl (it should be large enough to make the whole oatmeal)
- Add the liquid and nuts: Add in the almond milk (or water) and nuts and cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stopping and stirring every minute or so until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble: Drizzle with maple syrup and add the toppings. Give it a taste and add more if you like.
Expert Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
While the recipe below, as written, is pretty straightforward, there are a few things to pay attention to make flavors shine through when making this easy breakfast bowl:
- Cooking apples for oatmeal: Do not skip the sauteeing of the apples, as it is key to bringing out their sweetness and making this a sugar-free apple cinnamon oatmeal. Additionally, cooking them ensures they soften, resulting in a more delightful texture in your oatmeal.
- Experiment with different types of apples: While we do not think that there is such a thing as “the best apple for oatmeal,” we recommend experimenting with two (or more) different kinds of apples when making this recipe. Each type offers its unique flavor and texture, enriching the overall flavor and texture of your oatmeal.
- Enhance and toast your spices: Consider experimenting with other spices such as cloves, star anise, ginger, apple pie spice, and allspice. However, we recommend using a very small amount to start with and then adjusting it according to your tastebuds. Furthermore, we recommend taking the time to toast your spices with the apples for a few minutes to enhance their flavors.
FAQs
To soften apples, use a teaspoon of coconut oil and saute them in the warm melted oil for a few minutes while stirring them often. As they cook, they release some of their juices and become sweeter and softer, making it a perfect pairing for this cinnamon oatmeal.
To make this apple cinnamon porridge recipe even more nutritious, you can add a scoop of ground flaxseeds for additional fiber, a scoop of collagen for additional protein, and use less (or no sugar) in the recipe.
Yes, it is, especially when made without using additional sugars. According to Healthline, when consumed on a regular basis, apples lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, ground cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which help lower the risk of disease.
You Might Also Like:
If you enjoyed this healthy apple breakfast porridge, then you will love our collection of oatmeal and apple recipes. Below are a few that we hand-picked for you:
Other Oatmeal Recipes:
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Overnight Apple Muesli
- Warm Farro Breakfast Bowl With Cinnamon Apples
- Pressure Cooker Steel Cut Oats Recipe
- Overnight Oats with Yogurt
- Blackberry Baked Oatmeal
Other Autumn-Inspired Apple Recipes:
If you try this Homemade Apple Oatmeal recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, avocado oil or ghee would also work
- 1 large apple, or 2 small apples, cut into small chunks
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, or walnuts, plus more as topping
- 1 cup rolled oats, – Not quick cooking {I used Trader Joe's gluten free brand oats}
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds, optional
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, plus more to finish
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds, as garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Add in the apples and saute for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add in the pecans, oats, almond milk, and chia seeds (if using). Give it a stir and let it cook until thickened for about 7-10 minutes, stirring constantly during the cooking process.
- Ladle into bowls and top them off with pomegranate seeds (or other fruit), nuts, more apples, and a slight sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Serve.
Video
Notes
- Yields: This recipe makes about 3 cups of apple oatmeal, which is ideal for serving two people. You can multiply the recipe if you are serving a crowd. The nutritional values below are per serving and include the calories coming from the listed toppings.
- Optional Add-ins: You can easily customize this cinnamon apple recipe according to your taste buds. A few of our favorite ways to do it are as follows:
- Use two different types of apples
- Add a splash of vanilla extract
- Up the nutrition by adding other superfoods such as ground flaxseeds and hempseeds
- Top it off with a dollop of creamy peanut butter or yogurt for additional protein
- Meal Prep: Make the recipe as written but refrain from adding the toppings. Divide it among four mason jars and let it cool on the counter. Once fully cooled, cover it tightly with a lid and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, top it off with your favorite toppings.
- Storing leftovers: Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: While you can enjoy this recipe warm, cold, or at room temperature, I like to reheat it in the microwave if I am serving it on a crisp fall morning. To do so, transfer the apple porridge into a bowl, add a splash of milk (or water), and give it a stir. Place in the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments stirring every time until it is warmed to your liking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so delicious! Happy that I have 3 more dishes in the frig. Love your recipes, thanks again. Joan
YAY! Happy to hear that Joan. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to leave a review.
Cheers.