Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Start your day cozy with this warming apple cinnamon oatmeal. It's loaded with soft, sweet apples and just the right hint of spice. Perfect when it's chilly out and you want something tasty that won't weigh you down.

Ingredients

• Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (Optional): 1/4 cup, toss on for crunch at the end.
• Neutral Oil or Vegan Butter: 1 teaspoon, this is for cooking up the apples and locking in flavor.
• Sweet Apples: 2, diced into small bits (go for juicy types like honeycrisp if you can).
• Ground Nutmeg (Optional): 1/8 teaspoon, gives a deeper, bolder flavor.
• Vanilla Extract (Optional): 1/2 teaspoon, totally optional but brings out some extra flavor.
• Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: 2 teaspoons, for sweetening and getting those apples golden.
• Water: 2 cups, or swap for more milk if you want it creamier.
• Oats: 2 cups, use rolled or quick oats—both work well.
• Kosher Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, helps level out the sweetness.
• Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: 2 cups, makes the whole thing extra creamy.
• Ground Ginger (Optional): 1/4 teaspoon, adds a gentle zing if you're in the mood.
• Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: 2+ tablespoons, bump it up if you want things sweeter.
• Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, gives the oatmeal its cozy vibe.
• Water: 1 tablespoon, just toss it in to get the apples nice and tender.
• Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, adds warmth and that classic spice hit.

Instructions

Step 7:

Grab your bowls, scoop in the oatmeal, and pile on those cinnamon apples you set aside. Feeling fancy? Sprinkle over some nuts for a bit of bite.

Step 6:

Try the oatmeal and see if you want it sweeter—stir in a dash more brown sugar or maple syrup until you're happy.

Step 5:

Let it bubble up, then let it simmer and thicken to the consistency you like. Give it a stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.

Step 4:

Dump in oats, maple syrup or brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, a bit of salt, non-dairy milk, and water—all right into the apples left in your pan. Blend it all together.

Step 3:

Scoop out half the apples when they're soft and see-through, set them aside for topping later. Leave the rest in the pot.

Step 2:

Let the apples cook about 5-7 minutes, stirring now and again, until they're soft.

Step 1:

Heat up your oil or butter in a pan on medium. Toss in diced apples, some brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and a splash of water. Mix everything up well.

Serving and Storage Tips

• For even more creaminess, pour a little warm non-dairy milk over the finished oatmeal right before eating.
• You can pop leftovers in the freezer in single servings for up to a couple of months. Heat 'em up from frozen, just add some milk or water.
• To heat it back up, just use the stove or microwave and splash in milk or water if it's too thick.
• Keep extra oatmeal in a sealed container in your fridge and it'll stay good for around five days.
• Spoon into bowls while warm, stack the apples and some nuts if you're into it, and dig in.

Helpful Notes

• If you want your oatmeal chewier, pick rolled oats not the quick ones—they're heartier.
• Switch things up—drop in some sliced bananas, chia seeds, or raisins for even more flavor or nutrition.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• Jamie Oliver says tossing in a little nutmeg and allspice will make your bowl taste just like autumn.
• Yotam Ottolenghi likes to mix apples with pears to give a seasonal boost to this classic breakfast.

Why You'll Love This Dish

• Everything in here is naturally sweetened and wholesome, so you can feel good about breakfast.
• Tender apples, hearty oats, and spices all come together for a cozy, satisfying meal on cold days.
• It's totally plant-based, dairy-free, and you can make it gluten-free—just use the right oats.

Variations

• Stir in extra syrup or sugar if you want your bowl even sweeter—go for it, you do you.
• Try swapping out apples for pears, or use both, it's really tasty.
• Spoon over some almond or peanut butter for creaminess and a protein kick.