Apple cinnamon oatmeal is perfectly creamy and topped with the most delicious sautéed cinnamon apples! Drizzle with maple syrup and pecans for a quick and cozy fall breakfast!
After you make this apple oatmeal, try out my pumpkin oatmeal and carrot cake oatmeal.
Being a lover of apples and especially anything apple cinnamon, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I have a few apple oatmeal recipes. Apple cinnamon overnight oats, apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, and these handheld apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups. What I didn’t have was an easy stovetop version of apple cinnamon oatmeal!
I absolutely love this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe because it’s creamy, flavored with cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla, and topped with sautéed sweet cinnamon apples. It’s a healthy breakfast too! Whole grain oats and apples give it plenty of fiber to keep satisfied and give you energy all morning.
I also love that it only takes about 10 minutes to make. The apples and oats cook in about the same amount of time, so no standing around waiting for one while the other gets cold. It also be made with dairy or dairy-free depending on what kind of milk you have on hand.
Ingredient Notes
Oats – Old fashioned rolled oats are best for this oatmeal. You can use quick oats, but it won’t have the same chewy texture. It will be mushier, like porridge.
Milk – I use half milk and half water to get that wonderful creamy oatmeal consistency without it being gloopy.
Cinnamon, allspice – I love the sweet earth combination of these two spices. I always add a little allspice to my apple cinnamon recipes, including my popular caramel apple crumb pie.
Salt – Yes, you need salt! Salt enhances the flavors, especially the oats
Maple syrup – I always sweeten my oatmeal with maple syrup and drizzle extra on top, but you could use an equal amount of brown sugar if you prefer.
Vanilla – For the best vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste.
Apples – Use a variety of apple that stands up well to cooking and won’t turn to mush. I recommend Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and Cosmic Crisp.
Butter – A small pat of butter is used to sauté the apples and it gives them the best buttery sweet cinnamon flavor! If you want to use oil, I suggest melted coconut oil.
Tips for Making Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Chop the apples into equal sized cubes so they cook evenly. No need to peel the apple unless you don’t like it.
- Use a large enough skillet so the apples cook in a single layer. I like this non-stick skillet.
- Measure correctly so the oats don’t end up undercooked or watery. You need to use 1 cup of oats to 2 cups of liquid for proper cooking.
- Stir the oats occasionally so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- I like to add the cinnamon apples as a topping, but you can stir them into the cooked oatmeal as well.
How to Customize Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This oatmeal is delicious made as is, but here are a few variations you might enjoy!
- Add protein. Give the oatmeal a boost of protein and stir in 1/2-1 scoop of vanilla protein powder after it’s cooked. I also like to add a tablespoon of almond butter either as a topping or swirled into the oatmeal.
- Extra spices. A pinch of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, or cardamom would all add a wonderful warm spiced flavor to the oatmeal.
- Toppings. Chopped nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, or granola (try my pumpkin granola) would all be yummy.
- Milk. You can use any kind of milk for this recipe. I used low-fat cow’s milk, but I’ve also made it with dairy-free unsweetened vanilla almond milk and it’s equally tasty.
Storage
Leftover apple cinnamon oatmeal will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days making it a great option if you meal prep breakfast. Reheat it in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat until warm. I recommend adding a splash of milk to rehydrate the oats and give them that creamy consistency again.
More Oatmeal Recipes
If you make this Apple Cinnamon Oatmealplease leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you and do my best to respond to your comments. And if you’re on Instagram tag @reciperunner so I can see your beautiful creations!
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the apples, cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Stir together until combined. Cook for several minutes or until the apples have softened.
While the apples are cooking, add the oats, milk, and water into a saucepan. Bring them to a low boil over medium heat. Stir in the maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, and allspice then reduce the heat to low.
Cook for 5 minutes or until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and are creamy. Stir occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Transfer the oatmeal into two bowls and top with the cinnamon apples. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and drizzle with extra maple syrup if desired.
Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 397mgPotassium: 504mgFiber: 7gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 478IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 227mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
