Pin it
Start your chilly day with this cozy apple oatmeal. The combo of soft apples and cinnamon will keep you full and happy. It's tasty and good for you too.
Ingredients
- Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (Optional): 1/4 cup, perfect for adding that crispy crunch on top.
- Water: 2 cups, or swap for milk if you want it extra creamy.
- Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: 2 cups, makes everything super creamy.
- Kosher Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, keeps everything from getting too sweet.
- Ground Nutmeg (Optional): 1/8 teaspoon, gives an awesome cozy flavor.
- Ground Ginger (Optional): 1/4 teaspoon, a fun zippy bite.
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, a second time for more warm spice in the oats.
- Vanilla Extract (Optional): 1/2 teaspoon, adds a mellow sweetness.
- Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: 2+ tablespoons, more or less depending on how sweet you like it.
- Oats: 2 cups, rolled or quick, whichever you like best.
- Water: 1 tablespoon, gets those apples nice and soft.
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, brings the heat to the apple mix.
- Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: 2 teaspoons, for sweet, caramel-y apples.
- Sweet Apples: 2, diced small (like honeycrisp), juicy and perfect for topping.
- Vegan Butter or Neutral Oil: 1 teaspoon, for frying up the apples.
Instructions
- Step 7:
- Enjoy right away while it's toasty. Toss leftovers in the fridge where they'll stay fresh for up to 5 days. Add a splash of milk or water when you warm it back up.
- Step 6:
- Scoop the oatmeal into bowls. Drop those saved apples on top. Throw on some nuts if you're feeling fancy.
- Step 5:
- Take a bite and see if you want it sweeter. Stir in more maple syrup or brown sugar until it's just right.
- Step 4:
- Crank up the heat and let it bubble. Turn the heat to medium, then let it simmer and thicken for around 5-7 minutes, stirring a bit so it doesn't burn.
- Step 3:
- Dump in the oats, milk, water, brown sugar or syrup, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a bit more salt into the pot with half the apples you left behind. Mix everything together.
- Step 2:
- Let the apples cook for 5-7 minutes, giving them a stir now and then until they're soft. Scoop out half for topping later and leave the rest in the pan.
- Step 1:
- Grab a small pot and melt your butter or oil on medium. Throw in the chopped apples, a little brown sugar or syrup, cinnamon, salt, plus a splash of water, then stir.
Serving and Storage Tips
- This is best hot, spooned into bowls with those saucy apples and some chopped nuts on top.
- If you want it extra creamy, pour a little warm milk over before eating.
- Leftovers? Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Warm up in a pan or the microwave. Just add a splash of milk or water to get it creamy again.
- You can freeze single servings for up to 2 months. Just pop them in the microwave with some milk or water when you're ready to eat.
Helpful Notes
- Rolled oats make it a bit chunkier and more filling than quick oats.
- Throw in extras like bananas, raisins, or chia seeds for more fun textures and flavor.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Jamie Oliver likes to toss in nutmeg and a pinch of allspice to get that deep, autumn taste.
- Yotam Ottolenghi swaps in pears and apples together for a yummy seasonal change-up.
Why You'll Love This
- You get natural sweetness and lots of good-for-you stuff in every bite, so it's a good way to start your day.
- Tender apples, hearty oats, and warming spices make it so cozy, especially on a cold day.
- It works for vegans, folks who skip dairy, and you can use gluten-free oats to make it safe for everyone.
Variations
- Just add more maple syrup or brown sugar if you need it sweeter.
- Switch up and use pears instead of apples or do half and half for something new.
- A scoop of almond or peanut butter on top adds extra creaminess and a dose of protein.