Name: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon salted butter or coconut oil; 1 cup Old Fashioned rolled oats (do not use instant oats or steel cut oats); 1 cup water; 1 cup milk of choice; 1 apple, peeled and finely diced; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This apple cinnamon oatmeal makes the best cozy breakfast! It’s simple to make with brown sugar, cinnamon, and allspice.

Do the words apple cinnamon oatmeal make you first think of a packet of instant oatmeal? Turns out, it’s infinitely more delicious homemade! This oatmeal recipe is cozy and comforting, made with real fresh fruit and seasoned with brown sugar, cinnamon and a hint of allspice. When it comes to cozy healthy breakfasts, it’s king! We’re huge oatmeal fans over here, and this recipe is ideal for chunky sweaters and chilly mornings.

Ingredients for apple cinnamon oatmeal

We make a bowl of oatmeal every day (using this classic oatmeal recipe, the microwave version). But when we have time, we love to add apples and amp up the spices for a flavorful spin. Growing up, I used to love the apple cinnamon oatmeal packets, but something about them tasted, well, artificial. This version is bursting with pure, wholesome flavor, making this cozy bowl taste larger than life. Here’s what you’ll need:

Salted butter or coconut oil
Old Fashioned rolled oats
Milk
Apple
Brown sugar
Cinnamon and allspice
Salt
Vanilla extract

Tips for making apple cinnamon oatmeal

Apple stovetop it quick and simple! This method makes a big pot of creamy, chewy oats with 4 servings. Here’s what to do (or jump to the recipe below):

Peel and dice the apple finely. The best way to incorporate the apple is peeled, which helps the texture meld into the oatmeal.
Toast the oats first. This helps to bring out a nutty, intriguing flavor! Melt butter or coconut oil in a saucepan, then add the oats and toast for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant.
Add seasonings and boil for 7 to 8 minutes. Heat over low heat, stirring, until tender and cooked through.

Topping ideas

How to serve this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe? All you need are a few toppings to make it into a simple, easy breakfast recipe. Here are some ideas:

Maple syrup, honey or agave syrup
Apple cider syrup for a fun twist!
Pecans, walnuts or almonds
Nut butter like almond butter, cashew butter, or walnut butter
Cream, half and half, or milk of choice
Raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries
Greek yogurt sweetened with maple syrup
Candied pecans or candied walnuts

What would you add to your apple cinnamon oatmeal? Let us know in the comments below!

Oatmeal nutrition

Oatmeal is part of a healthy diet: it’s great for digestion and helps to keep you full all morning long! Here are a few of the main nutritional benefits of oats (source):

Oats are high in plant based protein. 1 cup of raw oats have 11 grams protein. That’s about 20% of your daily need!
Oats are high in fiber. 1 cup of raw oats have 8 grams of fiber, which is about 30% of the daily value.
Oats are very filling: they may reduce appetite and help you eat less calories.

More oatmeal recipes

There’s an oatmeal recipe for every season! Here are a few more ways to make this cozy breakfast:

Try our classic Best Oatmeal Recipe or quick Microwave Oatmeal
Grab Easy Blueberry Oatmeal
Go baked with Baked Apple Oatmeal, Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, or Easy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Make Savory Oatmeal

This apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, use oat milk and coconut oil.