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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a hot breakfast that smells like apple pie and tastes as if fall has arrived.
The aroma of spicy cinnamon and apples cooking always gets me in the mood for autumn. It’s everything I love about apple pie cooked into a hearty comforting breakfast.
Bites of sweet apples simmered with rolled oats and cinnamon spices, then topped with brown sugar and a pat of butter all added up to an absolutely delicious way to start the day.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This was an impromptu breakfast one morning, while we were out of town one weekend. I had arrived at our cabin with several bruised apples and I knew I needed to bake them into something.
I want something cinnamony, sweet, and homey. However, I wasn’t up for making an apple crisp or apple pie that I would want to eat in its entirety.
I saw the apples sitting on the counter the next morning as I was starting a batch of oatmeal for breakfast. I quickly diced them and simmered them along with the cooking oatmeal. A dash of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg plus a little brown sugar completed the dish.
I also added the tiniest pat of butter to the top of each bowl of oatmeal before serving and sprinkled each dish with chopped pecans. Since then, I’ve also made this recipe several times without adding nuts and it’s delicious that way too.
My idea for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal turned out so well, the boys requested this again for breakfast the first morning we were back home. I enjoyed this every bit as much as the kids did.
I love having a new and easy way to use bruised apples and a warming fall breakfast that takes very little effort or planning.
How to Make Oatmeal
If most of your oatmeal making has involved ripping open a packet of instant mix, you’re missing out. Homemade oatmeal is so worth the small amount of extra effort.
All it takes is bringing a pot of water to boil along with oats and any other add-ins you desire (in this recipe, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped apples). After simmering the whole thing for a few minutes on low heat, you add your preferred sweetener to taste.
This recipe, like many oatmeal recipes, uses brown sugar as its sweetener. The amount of brown sugar you use depends on how sweet your apples are. Ripe sweet varieties of apple will result in oatmeal that’s already naturally sweet.
In general, I start with 1/4 cup of brown sugar for this recipe. From there you can add more brown sugar by the tablespoon until you reach your preferred level of sweetness.
Oatmeal Recipes
Over the past 7 years, this oatmeal has become one of my favorite oatmeal recipes. Oatmeal is one of our most frequently made breakfasts because it’s easy, nutritious and everyone enjoys it without complaint.
I love how many ways there are to prepare and flavor oatmeal, too! You never have to get bored of eating oatmeal the same old way day after day, although we certainly have our family’s favorite recipes. Along with Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, we make Blueberry and Almond Oatmeal and Peaches and Cream Oatmeal
In the fall, another favorite is Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal. Eaten plain or topped with a little vanilla whipped cream it’s like autumn in a bowl.
All of these oatmeal recipes are delicious beyond words and if you haven’t tried them yet? You’re missing out.
Over the years, I’ve also found myself making more and more Baked Oatmeal Recipes. If you like the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors in this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, you’re sure to enjoy this Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal just as much.
Check out all of our Oatmeal Recipes here! And for a truly fabulous weekend breakfast, try these Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. They’re heaven on a plate.
If you’re a pancake lover – like my boys, these Apple Cinnamon Pancakes (that are also whole grain and dairy-free to boot) look divine.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Combine the oats, water, apples, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.
- As soon as it boils, reduce heat to low and simmer for just a few minutes, until the oats are soft and the apples are tender. Remove from the heat and add brown sugar to taste.
- The sweeter the apples, the less brown sugar you will need. Scoop into serving bowls and top with butter and pecans if desired. Enjoy!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3 3/4 cups water
- 3 small sweet apples or 2 cups apple pieces diced small
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg
- 1/4 cup plus 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, adjust to taste
- Butter a teaspoon or so for on top of each serving
- Optional: chopped pecans just a sprinkling for serving each bowl
Instructions
- Combine the oats, water, apples, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.
- As soon as it boils, reduce heat to low and simmer for just a few minutes, until the oats are soft and the apples are tender. Remove from the heat and add brown sugar to taste.
- The sweeter the apples, the less brown sugar you will need. Scoop into serving bowls and top with butter and pecans if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 8/28/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/20/21}
I made this……I want more lol
how much is the prep time and the cook time i need this for home ech and i need it undert 45 min
Will try ,enjoy oat meal. Simple ingredients
I hope you love it, Barb.
I love oatmeal too. My favorite is butterscotch oatmeal. I found the recipe on Alllrecipes. I make it all the time. But I’m going to try this very soon.
I bet that’s a fun version, Morgan! Thanks for the idea.
So glad I happened to see this. I was bored with my usual plain oatmeal, and Wow! I made it this morning and can’t wait to do it again tomorrow! I didn’t add brown sugar, just a light sprinkle of stevia (actually JJ Virgin Sprinkles). I usually add almond milk, but tried it with butter, and it was amazing!
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the oatmeal, Jen!
Love this. I store it in the fridge for quick breakfast on busy mornings. I top mine with chopped almonds. The dash of nutmeg really brings it together.
I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the oatmeal, Rosalie!
I have tried this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe and it is really easy to make and very deilicious in taste. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I’m glad you like it!
Could you substitute some or all of the water for almond milk?
Sure, Tiffany. Oatmeal is great when made with milk. It will be a little richer.
Delicious!!!
I’m glad that you like the oatmeal, Virginia!
Adding the little bit of butter to the top made me feel like I was eating this elaborate pie on Thanksgiving. I decided to substitute the nuts or walnuts 👌 its Sex In A Bowl‼️
I’m thrilled that you like the oatmeal, Daphne!
This was perfect for a quick breakfast, thank you. Chopped apples while the water got to boiling and with quick oats it was ready inless than 10 minutes.
I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Why would I put butter on top of this? It seems like it would ruin it.
It’s optional, Farkas. I love butter on oatmeal.
Question- how many servings does this make? I’m making this for breakfast.
This will make 4-5 servings, Elisabet.
Love this recipe! Added chopped up dates instead of apples as it’s all I had and it was delicious!
I bet it was delicious with the dates too, Danielle!
This was amazing!!! Thank you so much
I’m thrilled that you liked it, Jaden!
Mary, you read my mind. All week I have been like there has to be a recipe to add real apples and cinnamon to oatmeal…making this tomorrow! I always look forward to Saturday morning!
I hope you love the oatmeal, Sharon!
Is that 134 calories?
I just double checked it, Tiffany. Divded into 5 servings, the recipe as written is 180 calories per serving.
We found this recipe and made the oatmeal this morning with a few apples I had remaining from applesauce making. The recipe is simple, doesn’t take very long (~20 min.), and is delicious. 3 out of my 4 kids really like it (and the one who didn’t barely gave it a try). The consistency of the oatmeal is lighter than our usual (less sticky and clumpy) and uses about 1/4 of the brown sugar while remaining delightfully sweet. I did add about 1 T of honey, but only because our honey container has been sitting on the counter for months waiting to be used up. I’m convinced the recipe is great, as is. Thank you!