This apple cinnamon oatmeal is sweet, cinnamony, super creamy, and incredibly delicious. It turns simple ingredients into a nourishing and comforting breakfast dish that tastes just like dessert in a bowl!
Oatmeal is one of my go-to breakfast dishes when it's cold outside. It's quick and easy to make, packed with nutritious ingredients, and super delicious!
This apple cinnamon oatmeal has quickly become one of my favorites whenever I crave a sweet and warm bowl of oatmeal. It is satisfying, filling, and just perfect to start your day on a chilly day.
The best part is that it can be served with your favorite toppings to make it extra comforting. There aren't many things that can beat creamy peanut butter drizzled over a bowl of warm and cinnamony oatmeal!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Ingredients
To make this apple cinnamon oatmeal you'll need the following ingredients:
- Quick oats: I love to use quick oats to make oatmeal as they turn really creamy and soft when they are cooked for a few minutes. If you prefer a more textured oatmeal that isn't as creamy, you can use rolled oats. Both are healthy and delicious options, they just yield different results.
- Apple: You can use any type of apple that you like, depending on how sweet or sour you want your cinnamon apples to be!
- Liquids: I recommend using a combination of water and milk. Milk makes the oatmeal creamy and flavorful while using some water ensures that the oatmeal is light and not overly heavy. I've tried many different options (including nut milk and oat milk) and this is the combination I always come back to as it's so delicious!
- Cinnamon: You'll also need ground cinnamon to make this apple cinnamon oatmeal.
- Maple syrup: I love to use maple syrup to sweeten and caramelize the cinnamon apples. If you prefer another sweetener, feel free to use it. Honey is another delicious option!
How to make apple cinnamon oatmeal
Prepare the cinnamon apples. To a saucepan, add the diced or sliced apples, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. Let them cook over medium heat until softened and slightly caramelized. You may need to add a splash of water if there is no liquid in the saucepan and the apples aren't soft yet.
Prepare the oatmeal. In the meantime, add the quick oats, milk, water, and some ground cinnamon to another saucepan. Let the oatmeal heat up over medium heat. Let it simmer until soft and creamy while giving the oatmeal an occasional stir.
Serve. Pour the oatmeal into a bowl and serve the cinnamon apples over the oatmeal. Add toppings of your choice (optional) and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Use quick oats to make the oatmeal creamy and rolled oats for more texture and bite. I love to use quick oats for this recipe as I prefer a creamier texture. Both work for this recipe!
- I recommend using a combination of water and milk but feel free to adjust the recipe to your preferences. You could also use oat milk, cashew milk, almond milk, or another type of milk alternative. I just love whole milk (with some water) for this recipe as it really adds to the taste of the oatmeal.
- When your apples don't release enough juice, feel free to use some water so that the cinnamon doesn't burn and the apples get a chance to soften. Just make sure to keep an eye on the apples and add some liquid when necessary.
- Add more liquids if you prefer your oatmeal creamier. I love the recipe as is but your preferences may be different. Just add more water or milk if you feel like it!
Variations
- Add more toppings to your bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal. You could use flaxseeds for more fiber, peanut butter (one of my all-time favorites!), almond butter, any other type of nut butter, raisins (which can be cooked with the oatmeal to soften them), or an extra drizzle of maple syrup for some added sweetness. I also love to add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are great for this recipe!) for some extra crunch.
- Use another type of fruit for this recipe. I absolutely love to use apples for dessert and other types of sweet dishes. They turn sweet and deliciously soft once they are baked or cooked. But if you want to use another type of fruit, you can definitely do so. Pears are another great option. And peaches would be a great alternative for summer!
Frequently Asked Questions
It's flavorful, sweet, creamy, and cinnamony. It tastes like fall in a bowl and is just perfect if you love a bowl of warm oatmeal.
Yes, it is! Even if you add a drizzle of honey, it's still a great breakfast. Especially when it is topped with fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Generally, oats are rich in fiber which makes oatmeal a great option for breakfast. You can check out the nutrition information in the recipe box for detailed information. Just keep in mind that these are estimates and the exact nutritional value of your bowl of oatmeal may vary. Also, you could add some flaxseeds to your bowl of oatmeal to increase the fiber content.
I would recommend adding some type of sweetener to the apples or the oatmeal. It really doesn't have to be a lot, a little goes a long way here. It's totally up to you. You can always add some extra maple syrup if the oatmeal tastes too bland for your taste.
Sure! You don't necessarily have to cook the apples in a separate pot. I think it tastes better that way, but this recipe is also great when everything is cooked in one saucepan. You can sauté the apples first and then add the oatmeal ingredients to the same pot instead of using a separate one.
Yes, but it is going to taste different. Still, it's a great option if you are short on time. You can place all the ingredients in a bowl, stir them together, and place the bowl in your microwave. It takes about 2 minutes in my microwave. Depending on yours, you may have to adjust the cooking time or use more liquid. And if you plan to make this oatmeal in the microwave, make sure to cut the apples into smaller cubes so that they soften.
I love to use flaxseeds for extra fiber, peanut butter for creamy and salty deliciousness, and nuts for some crunch. Check out the post for more ideas.
More simple and delicious breakfast recipes
If you're looking for more breakfast dishes to switch things up, make sure to check out the following recipes!
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
Oatmeal
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ cup milk or plant-based milk
- ⅓ cup water or plant-based milk
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon more to taste
- additional toppings of your choice (optional) nuts, raisins, nut butter, flaxseeds
Caramelized Apples
- ½ apple cut into cubes or slices, peeled or unpeeled
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- water if needed
Instructions
- In a saucepan, stir together the apples, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. Heat everything over medium heat and let the apples soften and caramelize. If you need more liquid to soften the apples further, add a splash of water.½ apple, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, water
- In the meantime, add the quick oats, milk, water, and ground cinnamon to another saucepan. Let the oatmeal heat up over medium heat while stirring everything. Once thickened, remove and transfer to a bowl.½ cup quick oats, ½ cup milk, ⅓ cup water, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Serve the caramelized apples over the oatmeal. Add additional toppings if desired. Enjoy!additional toppings of your choice (optional)
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