Stovetop Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This recipe for apple cinnamon oatmeal is one of our favorite fall breakfast dishes! This nourishing and easy-to-make oatmeal is made with wholesome ingredients and it’s the perfect fall or winter breakfast. The aroma of apples and cinnamon will dance through your home as this nutritious meal cooks on your stove. This recipe is super easy and comes together quickly! Opt out of instant oatmeal packs and choose a homemade breakfast!
What Makes This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Amazing?
My kiddos devour this oatmeal when I make it! It’s such a simple way to make breakfast seem like a fancy occasion. Your home will smell like apple pie but with a fraction of the work that goes into making one! Plus, the house just feels cozier when apple cinnamon oatmeal is cooking on the stovetop.
This oatmeal is sweetened with maple syrup (and from the apples, of course!). It only takes about 10 minutes, with staple kitchen ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and old-fashioned oats. Apple cinnamon oatmeal is also a dish that can be worked to your liking. Do you like raisins and pecans in your oatmeal? Add them in! No nutmeg on hand? Leave it out!
What are the Health Benefits of Oatmeal?
Oatmeal is rich in nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamins (including B vitamins!), and minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc. Plus, it’s a complex carbohydrate. The high fiber in oatmeal helps lower cholesterol levels, improves heart health, and promotes better digestion.
Oatmeal has been shown to slow down the absorption of sugar, which helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and can be super beneficial for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing it.
It also helps people feel full and satiated for longer due to its fiber content. That fiber I keep talking about? Yeah, it also helps keep you regular… if you know what I mean! 😉
What Kind of Apples Should I Use for oatmeal?
Ideally, you would want to use sweeter-tasting apples such as Honeycrisp, Sweetango, Pink Lady, or Gala. Tart apples will give the oatmeal a different flavor, but feel free to give them a whirl if you don’t have any sweet ones on hand!
Do I Need to Peel Apples to Make This Oatmeal?
Nope! I mean, I don’t. If you feel like peeling the skin off the apples beforehand, feel free. I try to cut down on food waste, and see no harm in having the entire apple in my apple oatmeal! If the texture of it bothers you, feel free to peel your apples!
Ingredients
Old-fashioned oats (rolled oats) – The old-fashioned oats take longer to cook but also provide a much better base for this oatmeal.
Water
Salt – Just a small amount to bring out the sweetness but also assist the water in the boiling action.
Apples – Sweet apples such as Honeycrisp, Sweetango, Pink Lady, or Gala are preferred for this dish. You can peel the apples if you wish, but I like to keep the skin on my apples.
Maple Syrup – This adds to the cozy autumn vibes and it provides a rich, sweet taste! You can also use brown sugar instead. Or half and half. Your call! Either way, lovely.
Cinnamon – One of apple’s closest friends. Likes to show up once the weather gets cooler.
Nutmeg – This spice beautifully complements cinnamon. A little goes a long way on this spice!
Vanilla Extract – This really brings the dish together and enhances the flavor of the oatmeal.
Butter – Adds extra creaminess and healthy fats for our beautiful brains!
Heavy Cream or Milk – I like to add this once the oatmeal is complete. It also adds creaminess and, bonus points, helps cool down the oatmeal for my kiddos!
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Listen, oatmeal packets with dehydrated ingredients that only need water and a microwave have their place. I’m a busy mom with a packed schedule. I get it. I’ve used them and I still use them. This is a judgment-free zone. **BUT** When I tell you that this recipe is super simple… I mean it!
We all know meals taste better from scratch. And this one is going to have you feeling like a true professional–marveling at yourself at how you put a wholesome and hearty meal before your family before 8 am. Baddie.
Anyway, first things first. You’re going to pour 5 cups of water into a stockpot or large saucepan. Turn the stove to medium-high and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the pot of water.
While the water is heating up, wash and dry your apples, then chop them into small chunks.
Once the water starts to boil, add the oats, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the pot, making sure to stir the ingredients well.
Once the oatmeal begins to boil (it will be bubbling), lower the stovetop temperature to low heat and allow it to simmer for a few minutes (3-4 minutes). Occasionally stir the oatmeal during this time. This will allow the oatmeal to thicken more and it will give the apples more time to soften.
Towards the end, I like to add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the oatmeal. This is completely optional but highly recommended as it gives the oatmeal a delicious creaminess!
Once it’s done, I scoop the oatmeal into bowls and add about 1/4 cup of heavy cream (milk works too) into each bowl. This adds even more creaminess and healthy fats that are great for brain health!
Feel free to top off your oatmeal with any additional toppings such as nuts, seeds, or additional sweetener.
Enjoy your apple cinnamon oatmeal!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal (Super Simple Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 3 medium or 2 large apples chopped
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or milk optional
Instructions
- Add 5 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a large saucepan or stock pot. Bring to a boil on your stovetop over medium-high heat.
- While the water is heating up, chop your apples into small chunks. You may peel your apples beforehand if you wish, but this isn't necessary.
- Once the water boils, add the oats, chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the pot.
- Stir the ingredients. The oatmeal will begin to thicken and start to bubble.
- Once the oatmeal starts to bubble, turn the stovetop heat to low and allow it to thicken for 3-4 minutes. This time will allow the apples to soften as well.
- Once thickened, scoop the oatmeal into bowls. Add 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk to each bowl. This adds extra creaminess (and healthy fats!) to the dish. It's completely optional!
- Enjoy!
We started having this for breakfast a couple months ago and now it’s our go-to. So yummy!
It’s a favorite over here too. So glad to hear this!