Warm and comforting Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the perfect cozy breakfast to warm you up on a cold day! It’s quick and easy to make, with soft apples and just the right amount of cinnamon spice.
This stovetop oatmeal recipe is super creamy and lightly sweetened with honey. I love enjoying these oatmeal with a dollop of Greek yogurt, crunchy walnuts and extra saut̩ed apples Рso good!
Healthy oatmeal with apples and cinnamon
If you’re new here, you probably should know that I’m a huge fan of oatmeal! It can be such a filling, delicious, and healthy breakfast—as long as it’s done right. Nobody wants to eat watery, tasteless oatmeal!
I have tons of oatmeal recipes on my website – including these Carrot Cake Oats, High Protein Oats, Pumpkin Pie Oats, and Six Ways to Make Oatmeal Overnight (among many others). (Tip: Be sure to try them all!)
These cinnamon oatmeal with apples are a delicious breakfast any time of year, but are especially fitting for fall and winter. It will make your kitchen smell like apple pie while cooking!
It’s easy, filling, and sweet, but not overly sweet. A great weekday oatmeal recipe but optionally sautéed Apple Topping makes it chic enough for a weekend brunch too!
And don’t worry – if you’re short on time, I’ll show you how to quickly make it in the microwave too.
recipe ingredients
To prepare these apple oatmeal for the stove, you only need a few ingredients:
- Oats (Old-fashioned oats — also known as rolled oats — work best for the right texture. Make sure to get gluten-free certified oats if you need this recipe gluten-free!)
- milk (You can use any type of milk you like—either milk or non-dairy! I used unsweetened almond milk here.)
- ground flaxseed (This helps thicken the oatmeal and adds nutrients. You can substitute chia seeds, hemp seeds, or even almond flour if you prefer!)
- Apple (I used Pink Lady apples here, but you can use any apple variety you like.)
- honey (Feel free to substitute plain maple syrup for this if you prefer or if you need to make this recipe vegan).
- Cinammon
And for the optional sautéed apples on top, you’ll need:
- butter (or coconut oil for non-dairy oatmeal)
- Apple
- honey
- Cinammon
Plus, all the toppings you want! I love some walnuts and a dollop of Greek yogurt, but of course you can make it however you want. 🙂
How to make apple cinnamon oatmeal
To make these stovetop apple oatmeal, start by mixing all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan on the stovetop. Mix well.
Bring the mixture to a boil (over medium heat). Once it boils, reduce the heat to low. Simmer the oatmeal until thickened and the apples are just starting to soften, about 10 minutes.
For the optional baked apple topping, melt butter or coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced apples and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until the apples are just softened around the edges.
Reduce the heat to a minimum, then add the honey and cinnamon. Cook, stirring, for a few more minutes, until the apples are just tender and lightly browned and the honey is bubbling.
Finally, spoon oatmeal in two bowls. Top with the sautéed dish apples, a dollop of Greek yogurt and walnuts. (Or whatever you prefer!)
Which apples should I use?
You can use any kind of apples you like! i love pink lady applesbecause I find that they are never floury and have a great balance between sweet and tart.
Other great options include Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, McIntosh, or Granny Smith (if you’re into tarter). Apple).
Can I make these apple oatmeal dairy free?
Absolutely! This recipe should work with most types of milk or other milk. Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk are all great plant-based/non-dairy options.
Substitutes for ground flaxseed
Don’t have ground flaxseed? You can easily substitute chia seeds, hemp seeds, or even almond flour!
If you’re using chia seeds, you may want to add a little more milk or other liquid since chia seeds absorb a good amount of liquid.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Not if you don’t want it! I don’t take the time to peel them apples in this recipe because I find the skins turn tender and don’t bother me.
But I know some people don’t love the texture, so this recipe can certainly be made with peeled Apples if you prefer.
Can I put these apple oatmeal in the microwave?
To make this apple and oatmeal recipe in the microwave, you must use or share a large microwave-safe bowl oatmeal in two batches.
Combine all oatmeal Combine ingredients in a bowl and microwave for 3-5 minutes until the oatmeal is fat and apples are tender.
If you are preparing a large batch, you may need to continue to microwave in 1 minute increments until fully cooked. I recommend stirring every minute if your oatmeal batch is really large.
storage tips
Store the cooked oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To reheat the chilled oatmeal on the stovetop, place it in a saucepan with a dash of milk or water. Use a spoon to mash/break it up so it’s not in one big lump. Then heat over medium-low heat, stirring, until heated through.
To reheat the oats in the microwave, place them in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of milk or water. Crumble with a spoon. Then heat for 2 minutes or until warmed through.
Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Topping Ideas
This apple and oatmeal recipe is delicious with walnuts, sautéed apples, and plain Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess and a little bit of spice), but you can add whatever you like! Here are a few more ideas:
- pecans or almonds
- sunflower seeds
- Berry
- peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- banana slices
- a pinch of nutmeg
- raisins
I hope these apple oatmeal help you stay warm and nourished on those chilly mornings. You can find the full Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
More oatmeal recipes to try:
Do you love apples? Here are a few more recipe ideas:
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
These warm stovetop apple cinnamon oatmeal are the perfect cozy breakfast recipe to warm you up on a cold day! Top with Greek yogurt and walnuts.
preparation time
5 minutes
cooking time
15 minutes
total time
20 minutes
Ingredients:
-
1 cup old-fashioned oats
-
2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy – I used unsweetened almond milk)
-
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
-
1 apple, cut into small cubes
-
2 tablespoons of honey
-
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the optional baked apple topping:
-
1 teaspoon butter
-
1 apple, cut into small cubes
-
1 tablespoon of honey
-
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Additional optional toppings:
-
Plain Greek Yogurt, Walnuts
Instructions:
- Combine all of the oatmeal ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the oats are thick and the apples are just tender, 10-12 minutes.
- For the baked apple topping: Heat the butter in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just starting to soften around the edges, 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add honey and cinnamon. Keep stirring and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the apples are just tender and the honey is bubbling.
- Divide the oats between two bowls and garnish with sautéed apples, yogurt, and walnuts.
Remarks:
- There is no need to peel the apples as the skins will become tender as they cook. But you can peel them before cooking if that texture bothers you!
- To do this in the microwave, you must use a large microwave-safe bowl or divide the oatmeal into two servings. Combine all the oatmeal ingredients in a bowl and microwave for 3-5 minutes until the oats are thick and the apples are soft. If you’re cooking a large batch, you may need to continue microwave heating in 1-minute increments until fully cooked.
- To store and reheat: Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week. To reheat, place leftover rolled oats in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl with a splash of milk or water and break up the rolled oats with a wooden spoon. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave 2 minutes, until oats are warmed through.