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This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a cozy, high-protein breakfast made with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy pecans. It’s quick, nourishing, and a healthier twist on the classic Quaker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
If you’re craving a cozy, nourishing breakfast, this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day. Made with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a hint of maple syrup, it’s naturally sweet, creamy, and way better than instant packets. This stovetop oatmeal comes together in under 20 minutes, is high in fiber and protein, and can easily be made dairy-free or vegan. Whether you enjoy it on a crisp fall morning or as a year-round healthy breakfast, this apple and cinnamon oatmeal will keep you full and satisfied.
If you love chocolate-based oatmeal, then you will love my peanut butter chocolate oatmeal bowl.
Recipe Overview
Before you get started
- Make a double batch: Double up on this to make extra to enjoy throughout the week.
- Old-fashioned oats give the best texture. Quick oats can get mushy, and steel-cut oats need more liquid and longer cooking time.
- If you have time, you can sear the apples a bit with a small amount of coconut oil and a dash of cinnamon.
- Add the nuts and topping towards the end. You do not want to cook the nuts early on.
- Apples can vary in sweetness, so taste and adjust the sweetness. Add more brown or coconut sugar, or honey if you like.
How to apple cinnamon oatmeal
Below is a quick step-by-step guide on how I made the apple oatmeal breakfast bowl.
1️⃣ Cook the oatmeal
First, add water to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add the oats with salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes so the flavors meld.
✏️ I recommend using rolled oats here instead of instant oats. If you want to use a gluten-free rolled oats option, you can.
2️⃣ Add the apples
Next, add the chopped apples. Reduce the heat and simmer for ten to twelve minutes while occasionally stirring.
✏️ Use any tart apple of your choice or whatever you have on hand. Chop them as small or as big as you like. Don’t like apples? Use pears.
3️⃣ Add nuts and honey
Finally, once the apples are tender, stir in the honey and chopped pecans.
✏️ Here is where you can swap the honey for agave or maple syrup, and you can use chopped walnuts instead of pecans
4️⃣ Let it sit and serve
Turn the heat off, cover the pot, and let the oatmeal sit for five minutes. Add more honey if you like, or drizzle with any nut butter of your choice.
Variations and substitutions
- For a vegan option: Feel free to use maple syrup in place of honey. Agave will also work.
- Apples: Use any type of apple for this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe. I like Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, etc. Don’t like apples? Use pears, berries, or peaches.
- Gluten-free option: Make sure you are using a gluten-free rolled oat option. Bob’s Red Mill is a great one that has a gluten-free option.
- For a creamier option, stir in your choice of milk.
- Add protein powder or Greek yogurt for extra protein
- Make it overnight oats instead of stovetop. It will work great too!
Storage and reheating
- To store: You can store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can use the stovetop or the microwave. Add a splash of milk or water to the leftover oatmeal and reheat on the stovetop or microwave. If using the stovetop, reheat at a medium to low heat. To use the microwave, you can reheat at 30-second increments.
- To freeze: Let the oatmeal cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or silicone molds. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4-5days.
Yes. You can freeze this apple cinnamon oatmeal in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
I like to use apples that have a balance of sweetness and tartness to them and i feel like they work best here. Some of my recommendations would be Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady for a sweeter options and Granny Smith for a nice tart contrast. You can even mix two types for the best flavor.
There are a lot of fruit options out there if you do not want to use apples. The closest one would be using pears. You can use peaches, berries, apricots, or plums.
Yes. You can definitely make this into overnight oats. For a quick version, mix the rolled oats, milk instead of water (you can use a non-dairy milk like almond milk), cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, and chopped apples in a jar. Give it a mix, cover and then then refrigerate overnight
You may also like
- Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
- Tiramisu Chia Pudding
- Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
- Protein Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Homemade Oatmeal Granola Bars
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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 3 sweet apples, peeled and chopped; any kind
- ¼ cup honey, or maple syrup
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Add the 4 cups water to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the 2 cups rolled oats together with the ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and pinch of nutmeg, and stir well to combine. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add the 3 sweet apples (chopped). Reduce the heat and let it simmer over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the apples are tender, stir in the ¼ cup honey and ¼ cup pecans
- Turn the heat off, cover the pot and let the oatmeal sit for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Feel free to use maple syrup in place of honey for a vegan option.
- Store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for four to six days.
- Use any type of apple for this apple cinnamon oatmeal. I like Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, etc.
- To avoid gluten, make sure the oats are gluten-free. I have not tested instant oats.
- For even creamier options, stir in your choice of milk.
- Enjoy this recipe with baked sweet potatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nice recipe but I prefer to cook my oats like this:
Saute the apples in butter or bacon then add milk, water and oats. bring to a boil, turn off burner and let sit 10-15 minutes.
DW
I made this for lunch today. Easy and delicious.
Amazing. Thanks for the feedback
I made this for my dinner and it was fantastic! AND there are leftovers for breakfasts through the weekend. Thank you.
Really easy and nutritious as well as tasty, couldn’t ask for more I guess – ive made this like 3 times now
This is a bigger version of a recipe I use in the microwave. I will chop an apple, and mix half of it with my portion of plain instant oats, some nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweetener of my choice then microwave it. I’ll chop some walnuts or pecans and mix in – just a few. Then I’ll put the other half of the chopped apple on top. It’s a lot of apple but I like it like that. The other option is just to chop half the apple then eat the other half alongside.
So satisfying!!! Delicious.
I’m the original pumpkin-spice girl so on this first day of September I was prepared to serve this for breakfast. I’m so glad I made enough to have it again tomorrow morning. This recipe is easy and fast. I made it with a2 milk, and organic pink lady apples and raw honey. It’s actually apple picking season here in North Georgia. I can’t wait to try it with local Apples. I’ll also change out seasonal fruits with different nuts. This recipe is a treasure! Thank you.
Thank you!
So glad you loved it.
Will definitely be making this again!
Thank you. Glad you loved it
I love finding ways to make lighter versions of the junk I liked as a child. Peaches and cream oatmeal, apple cinnamon oatmeal-these were treats for us, like great trashy dessert. I like the healthier, homemade version.
I loved this and I even made some for the next day. Froze a batch and they were just as good if not better the day after. I didn’t use honey just a little bit of sugar free syrup. Thank you!
Thanks for the helpful feedback Bonnie. Appreciate it
Can’t wait to try this but what is the best way to reheat for next day’s use?
You can just microwave it
Bumped into this recipe looking for a healthy alternative. I only had Gala apples which were a little too sweet so I added a bit of lemon juice. Thank you!
Yummy. I hope you liked it.
I was looking for a apple oatmeal recipe that wasn’t made in the crockpot. It was simple and didn’t take more than 30 mins. I left the skin on my apples but Super delicious and I have breakfast already made for a few days. I highly recommend.
Thank you Carisa for recommending this recipe and for your feedback
These oats were so delicious! Loved the balance of cinnamon and fresh apples!
So glad you loved it. Thank you!