Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

Apple cinnamon steel cut oats are a delicious and wholesome breakfast choice! Cook a batch of these nutty and sweet oats and store in the fridge for quick breakfasts during the week. A super grab-and-go option! It reheats nicely in the microwave (just add a splash of water or plant-based milk), too!

If you’re wild about oats, you’ll love these versatile and super yummy overnight oats recipes. And, if apples are your favorite fruit, these vegan apple cinnamon strudels and this cinnamon apple smoothie will absolutely become your new favorite desserts!

Why You Must Make This Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

Discover the reasons why oatmeal with cinnamon and apples are a breakfast favorite:

• Makes Steel-Cut Oats Feel Like a Treat. Steel-cut oats can be pretty humble, but apples and cinnamon give them a cozy, dessert-like personality.
• Every Bite Has a Little Surprise. Chopped apples add bursts of sweetness and texture throughout the bowl.
• Your Kitchen Smells Amazing. Cinnamon and warm apples create an incredible aroma while they cook.
• Actually Gets Better With Time. This is one of those breakfasts that works beautifully as leftovers.
• Has Serious Customization Potential. Add toasted nuts, raisins, shredded coconut, chopped dates, a spoonful of nut butter, or even a pinch of cardamom. You can create a totally different bowl without changing the main recipe.

Key Ingredients

Let’s dive into the main ingredients that bring this apple and cinnamon oatmeal to life. Discover how each component adds to the rich, cozy flavors of this hearty breakfast treat. Such a delicious team!

• Quick Steel Cut Oats – These types of oats are whole grain oats that have been chopped into smaller pieces. Other substitutes for steel cut oats include rolled oats, quick oats, oat groats, quinoa, bulgar wheat, farro, and barley. Each of these has a different cooking time and water requirement, so double check before swapping them out.
• Apples – Diced apples provide natural sweetness and a burst of fruity flavor. Instead of apples, you can also use peaches, berries, mango, and bananas.
• Cinnamon – You can also use these spice options for oatmeal: nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, vanilla, or even turmeric.
• Maple Syrup – Adds a rich, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples and cinnamon. Feel free to swap for any liquid sweetener of your choice.
• Brown Sugar – Choose to leave out this ingredient if you’d like a less sweet bowl of oats or would like to use a whole foods option, such as dates or raisins.
• Water – Water is used to cook the oats and helps to soften them. If you’d like a richer oatmeal, use a plant-based milk (like cashew milk or almond milk) instead, either sweetened or unsweetened.

How To Cook Steel Cut Oats On The Stovetop

Follow these simple steps to create a apple cinnamon steel cut oats recipe that will warm your soul and fuel your day!

Step 1: Boil the Water – In a medium saucepan, bring 1½  cups of water to a boil.

Step 2: Add Ingredients – Stir in ½ cup of quick cook steel cut oats, ½ apple (diced), 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Next, Step 3: Simmer – Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes (without lid), stirring occasionally, until oats are tender and creamy.

Step 4 : Serve – Remove from heat, stir in the remaining maple syrup, and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your warm and comforting bowl of apple cinnamon oats!

Alternative Ways To Cook Steel Cut Oats

Here are two more methods for the best tasting cinnamon apple steel cut oatmeal:

1. Microwave Steel Cut Oats

Cooking up oats in the microwave is super simple! Just grab a microwave-safe bowl and combine 1/4 cup of steel cut oats with 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt. Pop it in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, give it a stir, and then microwave for another 2-3 minutes until the oats are tender and the liquid is absorbed. Let it sit for a minute or two to thicken, then dive into your warm and hearty bowl of steel cut oats.

2. Instant Pot

Making apple steel cut oats in an Instant Pot is a breeze! Start by rinsing the oats under cold water, then add them to your Instant Pot along with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Seal the lid, set the valve to the sealing position, and cook on high pressure for just 4 minutes. After a natural release of 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure. Give the oats a good stir, and they’re ready to be topped with your favorite goodies and enjoyed.

Pro Tips

Enhance this oatmeal from steel cut oats recipe with these clever tips and swaps:

• Add Toppings – Sprinkle with nuts (raw, toasted, or candied nuts), seeds, or dried fruits for extra flavor and texture. Freeze-dried fruits (especially berries) give a great texture to this recipe, too!
• Sweets to the Sweet – Drizzle with vegan honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar if you like it sweeter.
• Pour on Plant-Based Milk – Pour some cashew cream or coconut whipped cream over your oats for a creamier texture. For an after-dinner dessert, use vegan whipped cream!
• Experiment with Apples – This handy apple sweetness chart will help you make the best choice!
• Spice It Up – Mix in other spices like nutmeg or cloves for a unique flavor twist.
• Say Yes to Yogurt – A dollop of cool vegan yogurt into the warm, cooked oats is very refreshing. Plain dairy-free yogurt works well but, if you’d like it a little sweeter, use sweetened vanilla or fruity flavor.

Fun Steel Cut Oats Flavor Combinations

When you’re ready to switch it up, try these ten incredibly tasty fruit and flavor combos to further your steel-cut oat obsession!

• Birthday Cake – Bananas, vegan sprinkles, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and optional topping of vegan buttercream frosting drizzle.
• Triple Berry – Blueberry, raspberries, and blackberry and top with your jam of choice (or this delicious homemade chia seed jam).
• Raspberry Chocolate Chip – Fresh raspberries with vegan chocolate chips (try white, too!), and dusted with crushed freeze-dried raspberries.
• Black Forest Cake – Mix in a few tablespoons of cherry pie filling (or 1 cup of sweet dark cherries), 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, chopped walnuts, and finish with a dollop coconut whipped cream.
• Peanut Butter and Banana – Add a mashed, ripe banana and a scoop (or two!) of peanut butter. Serve topped with a few roasted peanuts and a little maple syrup. You can even add jam to make it like these Peanut Butter & Jelly overnight oats.
• Apple Pie – Sprinkle in apple pie spice along with a half of an apple (diced) and a few roughly chopped vegan oatmeal cookies, and a hearty helping of vegan whipped cream.
• Pumpkin Pie – Same as the apple pie version, except use a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
• Tropical Pina Colada – Mix in a few tablespoons of crushed pineapple, a mashed banana, and top with coconut flakes.

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