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This creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal tastes like apple pie in a bowl. Loaded with fresh apples and cozy cinnamon oats, this easy recipe makes the perfect healthy breakfast for fall in under 10 minutes.
As Fall kicks, so do my cravings for apples. Whether healthy apple bread, fluffy apple pancakes or apple muffins, there’s nothing more satisfying as a dessert. And of course apple protein pancakes, protein baked oats with apples can never miss for breakfast. I think that apple and oatmeal are a perfect match, especially if cinnamon is involved.
But after a quick glance at my recipes, I realized that I still haven’t a quick and easy breakfast to jump-start chilly mornings. So I wondered, why not posting the recipe for my to-go cinnamon oatmeal? This realization came while camping in the Dolomites. It was so cold in the morning that the only meal I wanted was something warm and cozy.
Cinnamon flavored creamy oats are topped with oil-free caramelized apples. With a touch of sweetness and delicate taste, this is going to become your new favorite healthy breakfast this season.
Why oatmeal and an apple is the perfect breakfast?
My apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is more than just delicious, it is also incredibly nutritious! It captures in a bowl all the health benefits of oats and apples. On the one hand we have oats. Packed with fibers, vitamins and minerals such as manganese, oats are a complex carb that gives energy without spiking your blood sugar levels. Additionally, this superfood also contains antioxidants and some plant based protein. On the other hand, apples are also very nutritious. This fruit is rich in fibers, minerals and vitamins like vitamin C.
And if we now consider the antioxidants that come with cinnamon, the benefits truly come full circle. This porridge is hands down the best healthy breakfast for fall. Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, low calorie, you can even make it high protein.
Recipe ingredients
- Rolled oats. The best oats for porridge are rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats. Being less processed, they are healthier and yield a better texture. Quick-cooking or instant oats can still be used, but your oatmeal may become slightly mushy. Steel-cut oats are another option, but they require longer cooking times (about 30 minutes).
- Apple. I recommend crisp and sweet apple varieties, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious. Feel free to use other types of apple, if you have preferences.
- Maple syrup. Pure maple syrup sweetens the oats naturally, without the need for refined sugar. Replace it with raw honey, date syrup or agave if desired.
- Milk of choice. You can make apple cinnamon oatmeal with dairy or dairy-free milk. My recommendations are unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk and semi-skimmed milk. As a budget-friendly, low calorie alternative you can also use water or a combination of water and milk.
- Fall spices. This recipe only requires ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, just enough spices to give oats all the warm flavors of Fall.
- Salt. A pinch of salt enhances all apple cinnamon oat flavors and balances the sweetness.
In addition to the apple oatmeal ingredients, you can serve your bowl with toppings. My favorite combo is crunchy peanut butter with homemade protein granola. Other delicious ideas are chopped roasted cashews or roasted almonds, chunks of walnuts and pecans, cocoa nibs, raisins, pumpkin seeds and of course, a splash of dairy-free milk.
How to make apple cinnamon oatmeal
Step 1 – Caramelize apples. In a bowl, combine apple dices with maple syrup and ground cinnamon. Microwave on high for about 30 to 45 seconds, or until soft and tender. As an alternative, sauté in a pan until tender and caramelized.
Step 2 – Cook oatmeal. In a pot, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Simmer over medium heat for around 5 minutes, or until the oatmeal reaches the desired texture. Stir regularly so that it does not stick to the pan.
Step 3 – Serve and enjoy. Once cooked, taste and adjust with more maple syrup if it is necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl, then top with caramelized apples and any topping you like.
Microwave apple oats
In a microwave safe bowl, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring in between. Once the porridge is ready, scoop it out into a bowl and serve with the caramelized apples on top.
Recipe variations
This simple recipe leaves plenty of room for customization. Whether you crave something crunchy or you prefer a low sugar apple cinnamon oatmeal, here are some ideas to try at home. As always, feel free to experiment.
- One pot oats. Instead of cooking apple and cinnamon oats separately, add all ingredients to a saucepan and stir until the porridge reaches a creamy texture. It’s a quick and tasty way to speed up the process and minimize cleanings.
- Mix-ins. Stir in the oatmeal pieces of nuts, nourishing seeds, raisins or dried cranberries for more texture. Other ingredients that you can add are peanut butter, almond butter or granola butter.
- High protein. After the oats are cooked, stir in a scoop of your favorite protein powder and thin out the texture with little milk. I truly recommend vanilla protein powder.
- Low sugar. Instead of maple syrup or honey, sweeten your porridge with sugar-free sweeteners such as monk fruit or erythritol. And if you don’t have the sweet tooth, leave it out completely.
- Gluten-free. Prepare this recipe with certified gluten-free rolled oats and check that all other ingredients (especially the plant based milk) do not contain any gluten.
Storage and meal prep
To store, let the oatmeal cool down and then transfer it to an airtight container. Keep sealed it in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for up to a week. To reheat, microwave or cook it in a pot for a few minutes, adding a splash of milk to loosen it up. Stir well before serving it with toppings. If you also plan to make the cinnamon apples for oatmeal ahead, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator as well.
To freeze, place the cooled apple porridge into a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to three months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge, and then reheat in a microwave or pot. Serve with caramelized apples and toppings.
More oatmeal recipes
- Microwave oatmeal
- Protein powder oatmeal
- Basic oatmeal recipe
- Protein overnight oats
- Egg white oatmeal
- High protein oatmeal bars
- Protein granola
- Banana baked oatmeal cups
- Low calorie oatmeal
- Protein baked oats with apple
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
- ½ cup (50 g) rolled oats
- ½ to 1 tbsp maple syrup, or honey, to taste
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk or water, or a combination of both
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch of salt
Caramelized Apples
- ½ apple, diced
- 1 ½ tsp maple syrup, or honey
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Caramelized Apples
- In a bowl, combine apple dices with maple syrup and ground cinnamon. Microwave on high for about 30 to 45 seconds, or until soft and tender. As an alternative, sauté in a pan until tender and caramelized.
Cinnamon Oatmeal
- In a pot, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- Simmer over medium heat for around 5 minutes, or until the oatmeal reaches the desired texture. Stir regularly so that it does not stick to the pan.
- Once cooked, taste and adjust with more maple syrup if it is necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the caramelized apple topping.
Notes
Microwave cinnamon oatmeal
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In a microwave safe bowl, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
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Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring in between.
