Delicious Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Cozy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal makes the perfect breakfast when it's cold outside. You'll love how the soft apples blend with warm cinnamon in this tasty, good-for-you morning meal.

What You'll Need

• Neutral Oil or Vegan Butter: 1 teaspoon, for cooking the apples and boosting their taste.
• Juicy Apples: 2 apples, cut into small half-inch chunks (honeycrisp works great for sweetness).
• Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar: 2 teaspoons, to sweeten and help brown the apples.
• Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, for that warm, homey flavor.
• Water: 1 tablespoon, to help cook the apples until soft.
• Rolled or Quick-cooking Oats: 2 cups, creating a filling breakfast base.
• Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar: 2+ tablespoons, add more if you want it sweeter.
• Vanilla Extract (If you want): 1/2 teaspoon, adds a lovely depth.
• Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon, for that classic oatmeal spice.
• Ground Ginger (If you want): 1/4 teaspoon, gives a mild kick.
• Ground Nutmeg (If you want): 1/8 teaspoon, for an extra layer of flavor.
• Kosher Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, brings out all the other flavors.
• Non-Dairy Milk (Unsweetened): 2 cups, makes everything creamy.
• Water: 2 cups, or use more milk if you want it extra creamy.
• Walnuts or Pecans, Chopped (If you want): 1/4 cup, adds a nice crunch on top.

Cooking Steps

Step 1:

Warm the oil or vegan butter in a small pot over medium heat. Toss in your diced apples, add the brown sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, salt, and water. Mix everything together.

Step 2:

Let the apples cook for about 5-7 minutes, giving them a stir now and then, until they get soft and clear-looking. Take half of these cooked apples out and put them aside - we'll use them as a topping later.

Step 3:

Now add your oats, more brown sugar (or maple syrup), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, non-dairy milk, and water to the pot with the leftover apples. Stir it all up.

Step 4:

Turn the heat up high until it starts bubbling, then lower to medium and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until it gets as thick as you like. Keep stirring once in a while so it doesn't stick to the bottom.

Step 5:

Try a spoonful and see if it's sweet enough. If not, just stir in some more brown sugar or maple syrup.

Step 6:

Scoop the oatmeal into bowls and top each one with some of those saved cinnamon apples. If you want, scatter some chopped nuts on top for extra crunch.

Step 7:

Enjoy while it's hot. Got leftovers? They'll stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you want to eat them, just warm up with a splash of milk or water to make them creamy again.

How to Serve and Store

• Dish up your oatmeal while it's still hot with those saved cinnamon apples on top and some nuts if you're feeling fancy.
• Want it super creamy? Pour a little warm non-dairy milk over everything before digging in.
• Pop leftovers in a sealed container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• When you're ready to eat again, warm it up on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
• You can even freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Just add extra liquid when reheating from frozen.

Quick Tips

• Want more texture? Go for rolled oats instead of the quick-cooking kind.
• Make it your own by adding stuff like chia seeds, raisins, or banana slices for extra goodness.

Expert Advice

• Jamie Oliver says try adding a tiny bit of nutmeg and allspice to make it taste even more like fall.
• Yotam Ottolenghi thinks mixing apples and pears together makes an awesome seasonal twist to this dish.

What Makes This Special

• You'll get a breakfast that's naturally sweet and full of good-for-you stuff to start your day right.
• The mix of soft apples, hearty oats, and warm spices feels like a cozy hug on cold mornings.
• It works for everyone - it's vegan, doesn't have dairy, and you can make it gluten-free by using the right oats.

Change It Up

• Got a sweet tooth? Just add more maple syrup or brown sugar until it tastes right to you.
• Try using pears instead of apples, or throw in both for something different.
• Smear some peanut butter or almond butter on top for extra creaminess and protein.