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If you could go for an apple crumble or apple pie for breakfast, this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is for you! It’s packed with warm flavors, sweet fruit, satiating fiber, and a hint of maple flavor. Plus, it’s dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and can even be gluten-free! Make it quickly on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a crockpot to feed the whole family.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Oatmeal Recipe
Warming, wholesome breakfasts hit the spot as the weather turns cooler, and the cozy flavors of this apple cinnamon oatmeal is a double win! Oatmeal is such a budget-friendly, yet filling, breakfast that the whole family can enjoy.
Oats are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, plant-based protein, and thus several health benefits. With the addition of hemp seeds, you get even more protein and heartiness to energize your day! The sweet apples add an irresistible flavor (plus antioxidants!) combined with anti-inflammatory cinnamon, making it a great defense as cold-season hits.
Best of all, with just a few ingredients, this apple pie oatmeal is so easy to throw together, taking just 10 minutes. You can even whip up a large batch at the beginning of the week and reheat it when needed! As a bonus, we’ve included stovetop, microwave, and crockpot (using rolled oats OR steel-cut oats) methods below!
Want to keep your oatmeal options rolling (see what I did there?), check out my tasty carrot cake oatmeal or chilled overnight oats like these salted caramel or pumpkin pie overnight oats.
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
The Oatmeal Base:
- Oats: Use rolled oats or instant oatmeal for this homemade apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats, if required.
- Plant-based milk: Use the plant-based milk of your choice OR water (for a lighter option). Apple juice would also work for extra flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt helps to enhance all the flavors.
- Maple: We love to use maple, but brown sugar (which is refined) or coconut sugar (unrefined) would also work very well with these fall flavors. For a sugar-free alternative, use your favorite sweetener or even use finely chopped dates to sweeten the apple oatmeal naturally.
- Seeds: (Optional) We like to add either hemp seeds, flax meal, or chia seeds to the apple and cinnamon oatmeal for extra fiber, protein, and nutrients.
The Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- Apple: Use whatever apples you have available. I like to use crisp apples that aren’t too tart, like Granny Smith apples.
- Cinnamon: You could alternatively use apple pie spice (which combines cinnamon with other warming spices like nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and sometimes cardamom).
- Oil: Olive oil or coconut oil work well. You could alternatively use vegan butter. For an oil-free version, you could use a splash of water to help soften the apples.
The Add-ins and Recipe Variations:
- Other warming spices: If you don’t have apple pie spice, just a pinch (⅛ tsp) each of ground ginger and nutmeg will pair wonderfully with the apple cinnamon oatmeal.
- Vanilla extract: Just a few drops will make for a delicious, enhanced apple pie oatmeal flavor.
- Lemon juice: A splash of bottled or fresh lemon juice can help brighten the flavors in the apple pie oatmeal.
- Vegan butter: Adding just a tiny pat of butter to the top of the oatmeal when serving makes for an even creamier apple oatmeal recipe.
- Crushed nuts/seeds: Chopped pecans or walnuts work particularly well. For a nut-free option, you could use sunflower seeds or pepitas. Toast them first on the stovetop until fragrant for extra flavor. A couple tablespoons should be enough.
- Nut butter: Alternatively, for a super creamy addition (and healthy fats!), add a spoonful of your favorite nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter.
- Apple juice: For even more flavor, add a large splash of apple juice to the pan when softening the apples.
- Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, and dates would all work well. Add a couple tablespoons.
- Yogurt: On days when you want an even more filling (and creamy) oatmeal, add a dollop or two of your favorite dairy-free yogurt to the healthy apple pie oatmeal when serving.
- For protein oatmeal: Add a scoop of your favorite unflavored (or vanilla) protein powder into the oatmeal right before serving. You may need an extra splash of milk in the oats if they become dry.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal?
Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions.
Step 1: First, heat the oil/vegan butter (or a splash of water) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the cubed apple and cinnamon (or apple pie spice) and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the apple begins to soften and turn a golden brown.
Step 2: Then, add the oats and milk (or water) and stir. Allow it to cook until tender according to the package instructions (usually just 3-4 for ‘instant’ and 6-8 for rolled oats until the liquid is absorbed).
Finally, add the salt, seeds, and maple syrup and stir to combine. You can also sprinkle with additional cinnamon, then serve immediately. If you decide to cook the oatmeal with water, you can always add a splash of plant-based milk when serving for creamier results.
Apple Oatmeal Method Variations
Microwave apple cinnamon oatmeal:
- First, make sure to use a large microwave-safe bowl, so the oatmeal won’t bubble over the sides when cooking.
- Then, add the cubed apples, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for between 1-2 minutes, until beginning to turn tender.
- Then add the oatmeal, milk (or water), and pinch of salt. Mix and then microwave for a further 2-3 minutes (in 40 second increments, stirring between), or until the oatmeal is tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
- Then mix in the remaining ingredients and top with your toppings of choice.
Crockpot apple oatmeal:
- It’s best to use steel-cut oats for the crockpot apple oatmeal method, as they naturally take longer to cook. Regular oats can become quite mushy/soupy. However, feel free to experiment! We recommend testing this for the first time during the day, so you know how long it would need overnight! Avoid instant/quick-cook varieties.
- Spray the inside of your slow cooker with a little oil/ cooking spray, then add all the ingredients. For this method, I recommend using at least one cup of oats to 2-3 cups liquid, based on how liquid-y you like your oatmeal. Then cover.
- Cook on low for between 6-8 hours until the oatmeal is tender. (5-6 is best for rolled oats and 7-8 for steel-cut for us, but different machines will vary).
How to Make-Ahead and Store?
Fridge: Feel free to either meal-prep this in advance or make lots of leftovers. Any leftover apple oatmeal will store in an airtight container in the fridge for between 4-6 days. You could also meal-prep the softened cinnamon apples in advance and store them separately in a container in the refrigerator.
Reheat: To reheat the apple cinnamon oatmeal, you can do so on the stovetop or in the microwave (in 30-second intervals) until warm. Add an extra splash (or more) of milk or water to bring it back to the creamy consistency.
FAQs
I like to use crisp apples that will hold their shape, like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith. Use whatever you have available, though.
Yes, you could use pears instead for cinnamon pear oatmeal. Or, during summer, peaches pair wonderfully with cinnamon.
Not necessarily! You can cook them with the peel on or off, based on your preference
This comes down to personal preference. Juice will have a texture similar to using water but a lot sweeter, so you can often reduce (or eliminate) other sweeteners. Water will usually yield oatmeal that has a bit of texture and isn’t as creamy as milk. Milk will provide creamier, often softer results.
Yes, but the cooking time will differ. You’ll need around 1 ½ cps liquid per ½ cup oats, and they’ll take around 20 minutes on the stovetop to soften. To keep the apple texture, remove them from the pan after the initial sauté and add them back in 5 minutes before the steel-cut oats are ready. You can also use our crockpot method for apple cinnamon steel cut oats!
Toni’s Recipe Tips
- For softer ‘applesauce’ style apple oatmeal: Simply cook the apples on the stovetop for longer (as you would when making applesauce). Cover the bottom of the pan with a little water and add a little maple too when cooking. You can also add a spoonful of unsweetened apple sauce.
- Keep some of the apples aside: After softening them, you can then use them to top the oatmeal for extra bite and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sugar: This is entirely up to personal taste (and how sweet your apples are), so feel free to adjust it when serving the healthy apple pie oatmeal.
- Ensure your brown sugar is vegan: Surprisingly, not all brands are (because of bone char used when processing), so double-check the packaging.
- To adjust the texture of your oatmeal: If you prefer it thicker, cook it for slightly longer to absorb more liquid. If, once tender, the oatmeal is too thick, then add a splash of extra milk or water to your desired texture.
More Vegan Oat Recipes
Vegan Breakfasts
Coconut Overnight Oats
Vegan Breakfasts
Easy Coffee Oatmeal
Vegan Breakfasts
Blueberry Overnight Oats
Vegan Breakfasts
Strawberry Oatmeal
If you tried this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
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Ingredients
- 1 cup of rolled oats (or instant oatmeal)
- 1 cup of water (or non-dairy milk/ Apple juice)
- 1 apple, cored and cubed
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or apple pie spice with a little extra cinnamon
- 1-2 Tablespoons of maple syrup or coconut sugar, brown sugar, finely chopped dates. For sugar-free use your favorite sweetener.
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1-2 Tablespoons of hemp seeds, or flax meal (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil/ vegan butter. Use water for an oil-free method.
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat the oil/butter (or water) over medium heat. Then, add apple cubes and cinnamon. Saute for 2-3 minutes until apple starts to soften and turns golden brown.
- Add oats and water and stir. Let cook as directed on package, usually 2-3 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Add salt, hemp seeds, and maple syrup (or your sweetener of choice) and stir to combine. Sprinkle top with additional cinnamon if you like and serve immediately.
Notes
- Other warming spices: If you don’t have apple pie spice, just a pinch (⅛ tsp) each of ground ginger and nutmeg will pair wonderfully with the apple cinnamon oatmeal.
- Vanilla extract: Just a few drops will make for a delicious, enhanced apple pie oatmeal flavor.
- Lemon juice: A splash of bottled or fresh lemon juice can help brighten the flavors in the apple pie oatmeal.
- Vegan butter: Adding just a tiny pat of butter to the top of the oatmeal when serving makes for an even creamier apple oatmeal recipe.
- Crushed nuts/seeds: Chopped pecans or walnuts work particularly well. For a nut-free option, you could use sunflower seeds or pepitas. Toast them first on the stovetop until fragrant for extra flavor. A couple tablespoons should be enough.
- Nut butter: Alternatively, for a super creamy addition (and healthy fats!), add a spoonful of your favorite nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter.
- Apple juice: For even more flavor, add a large splash of apple juice to the pan when softening the apples.
