Healthy Apple Oatmeal is a cozy, delicious breakfast. Perfect for a busy morning, it’s gluten free and easily made in under 15 minutes.
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This post was originally shared in 2018 but has since been updated.
If you’re looking for a breakfast that is filling, comforting and easy to make – you need to try this Apple Oatmeal!
Healthy Oatmeal Recipes are one of our favorite things to make for breakfast, especially when they’re made with tons of apples (We love this Baked Apple Oatmeal and Apple Overnight Oats too!)
Made on the stovetop in under 30 minutes, this apple oatmeal is hearty and delicious – truly the perfect fall breakfast!
Why we love this apple oatmeal:
- hearty and delicious – this is a great family friendly breakfast option!
- low in sugar – With the exception of a little maple syrup, this breakfast gets it’s sweetness right from fruit!
- versatile– You can easily customize this oatmeal to your liking. Feel free to add in more or less mix-ins.
- uses up apples! – If you’ve recently gone apple picking, this recipe is for you. It’s a great way to use up an abundance of apples and enjoy fall flavor!
Ingredients
To make apple oatmeal you’ll need only a few simple ingredients:
- old fashioned oatmeal
- coconut oil – olive oil or butter would also work, this is for sautéing the apples
- maple syrup
- cinnamon, ground ginger – apple pie spice would also work well.
- pecans – I buy them pre chopped, but you could used halved too!
- apples – any apple will work in this recipe. We like honey crisp or granny smith but gala, pink lady, even macintosh all work well!
SUBSTITUTIONS
Oats: I have only tried this apple cinnamon oatmeal with old fashioned rolled oats. Steel cut oats would work, but would need much longer to cook and would need more liquid. You can follow the instructions on the back of the package and add in the cinnamon, ginger, maple syrup and pecans/apples. You could also try our baked steel cut oatmeal.
I think quick oats would also work, but they would likely cook much faster and may not need as much liquid!
If you are gluten-free make sure to look for gluten free certified oats.
Milk: You can use any type of milk that you like in this recipe, regular or dairy-free both work. I prefer whole milk, but almond milk also is delicious.
Sweetener: I love maple syrup in this recipe, but you could use honey or agave nectar if you prefer! I haven’t tried other sweetener options in this recipe, but I think anything you like would work.
Spices: You can substitute 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice for the ginger/ cinnamon to get the same flavor. A shake of nutmeg is also delicious.
Nuts: Omit the pecans to make this nut free. You could also use sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts or almonds.
Toppings: Feel free to add additional nuts or seeds as toppings. Other fresh fruit like blueberries would be delicious or even some raisins, almond butter or peanut butter!
Bake Oatmeal: This recipe is meant to be made on the stovetop – check out this Baked Apple Oatmeal if you want to use your oven.
How to make Apple Oatmeal:
- Melt coconut oil in a small sauce pan. Add apples and sauté over low heat for 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in oats, milk, cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup and cook uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the last minute, add pecans.
Can you make apple oatmeal in the microwave?
I don’t recommend making this in the microwave because it’s best when cooked low and slow, but it can be done! To make this apple oatmeal in the microwave:
- Add your apples, coconut oil, cinnamon, and maple syrup to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until apples are slightly tender.
- Add milk, oatmeal, spices, and maple syrup. Stir + microwave for 3-4 minutes, stirring every minute, until liquid is almost entirely absorbed
- Topped with chopped pecans + enjoy!
Liz’s Tips for the best oatmeal:
Use Whole Milk: Any milk will technically work in this recipe, but we like whole milk the best. It makes the oats super creamy!
Add extra protein: You can stir in nonfat greek yogurt or a little bit of vanilla protein powder to amp up the protein in this recipe!
Add vanilla extract of vanilla bean paste: To take the flavor of this oatmeal over the top, add a little bit of vanilla bean paste to it! I get mine at Trader Joe’s – it’s so flavorful!
Storage
You can make this apple oatmeal ahead of time, keep it in the refrigerator and reheat it when ready to eat. It reheats very well and should last 3-4 days in the fridge. It’s great for meal prep!
Freezing: I haven’t tried freezing this oatmeal but I wouldn’t recommend it. I think it would get mushy. Oatmeal is best eaten fresh!
Reheating: You can reheat this in the microwave or in a pan on the stove. You may want to add a splash of milk when reheating.
Apple Oatmeal
Ingredients
For the apples:
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup apples chopped in tiny cubes approximately 1 medium apple
For the oatmeal:
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons pecans chopped
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil in a small sauce pot. Add apples to melted coconut oil. Sauté over low heat for 5-6 minutes until apples start to soften.
- After 5 minutes add oats, milk, cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup.
- Stir together and cook uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the last minute, add pecans.
Notes
- Oats: I have only tried this with old fashioned oats. Steel cut oats would work, but would need much longer to cook and would need more liquid.
- Milk: You can use any type of milk that you like in this recipe, regular or dairy free both work.
- Sweetener: I love maple syrup, but you could use honey or agave nectar if you prefer!
- Spices: You can substitute 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice for the ginger/ cinnamon.
- Nuts: Omit the pecans to make this nut free. You could also use sunflower seeds.
Nicole says
Love this oatmeal!! Way better than making your oats in the microwave haha. And the apples are a great addition! Even delicious leftover.
Liz Marino says
So happy you enjoyed it! It only takes a few extra minutes to make on the stove and it’s sooo much better than microwave, I agree!
DebinTX says
Can you use instant oatmeal? and if so, how does that change the instructions?
Liz Marino says
I haven’t tried this with instant oatmeal, I would think you’d need to reduce the cook time. I’d really recommend following the recipe as is with old fashioned oatmeal 🙂
ElizabethTaylor says
So very good! Perfect fall breakfast!
Jo says
Hello I was just wondering if this is made best in a deep pan like with a lid , a saucepan or like a frying skillet?
Liz Marino says
We use a small sauce pot. See above for photos!
Cheri says
I make this all the time. I add raisens and walnuts when I have them.The apple is so tasty and the maple syrup is the secret to Wow!
Leftovers make a healthy, filling snack.
Liz Marino says
So glad you enjoyed it, Cheri!! Love those additions 🙂
Allie says
So good!!! Make this at LEAST once a month.
The Clean Eating Couple says
So happy to hear this! Thanks, Allie!
Tracy says
This recipe was perfect! What a delicious breakfast. I wouldn’t change a thing.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Thank you so much, Tracy!
ElizabethTaylor says
This recipe was so delicious! I used regular old fashioned oats and it tasted great! The magic is really in the apple topping and if you can have nuts, I highly recommend adding pecans! 🙂
The Clean Eating Couple says
Yay!! So happy you liked it, Elizabeth!
Questa Williamson says
Great recipe!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you enjoyed it, Questa! Thank you!
Alicia says
I cannot say enough how thankful I am I found this gem it’s is delicious!!! So stinking amazing. Thank you for sharing!!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Thanks, Alicia! I’m so glad you like it!
Debbie says
Unfortunately my husband and I cannot have chia seeds since we are both on blood thinners for high blood pressure. Can you suggest a substitute for the hearty grains mix used in this recipe? Thank you
The Clean Eating Couple says
Any old fashioned oats will work in this recipe.
Lynn says
Pretty good! I used old fashion rolled oats, walnuts and adjusted the recipe for one person. Next time I will add the nuts to the apples when I add the cinnamon and maple syrup so they can get coated in that yumminess too.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Glad you liked it, Lynn! Thank you!
Sam says
This is SO delicious! Found on pinterest. I didn’t have ginger but it was still good without it!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Thank you Sam!!