Name: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large apple (cut into bite-sized pieces); 2 cups water (453 mL); 1 cup rolled oats (380 g); 1 Tbsp brown sugar; Pinch each of salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Cozy on up with a bowl of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal made with all the cozy flavors of fall! This easy recipe takes less than 10 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients.

An orange bowl filled with apple oatmeal

While we’re on this oatmeal kick, I felt it only fitting to tie in apples somehow. After all, it’s nearly fall, y’all! With the addition of and apple and some cinnamon, this dish feels extra cozy and perfect for the season.

The recipe kicks off with an apple and some rolled oats. Though steel cut or instant would work, rolled are the best in terms of cooking time and texture, which is why I recommend them over the others for quick weekday breakfasts.

Do you have fall apple picking on your schedule for this autumn? When you wind up with 50 more apples than you can handle and wonder how on earth you’ll use them, remember this little apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe. You can thank me later!

An orange bowl filled with apple cinnamon oatmeal

Here’s What You’ll Need

Only 4 ingredients and 4 spices stand between you and some delicious cinnamon oatmeal.

Apple: Start with 1 large apple cut into bite-sized pieces. Use any variety of apple you have on hand!
Water: Next, 2 cups of water will help to thicken the oatmeal. Feel free to replace this with milk for a creamier oatmeal.
Rolled Oats: You’ll need 1 cup of rolled oats. (What’s the difference between rolled and steel cut or instant oats? Answers this way).
Brown Sugar: Add an extra sweet touch with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
Spices: Finally, add a pinch each of salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can add more or less spices here, depending on what’s in your spice cabinet. All spice and ground ginger would also be great additions!

How to make Cinnamon oatmeal with Apples

Standing in the kitchen prepping a 3-course breakfast is the last thing I want to do in the morning which is why I am all for easy, quick, one-pan meals. This apple oatmeal is exactly that. The whole recipe is complete in under 10 minutes and feeds two!

Cook the oatmeal: Stir together all of the ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Set them over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the oats are cooked through. Take a bite, they should be soft.
Add toppings and serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with brown sugar and sliced almonds.

A pot filled with diced apples, rolled oats, and brown sugar

A pot filled with cooked apple cinnamon oatmeal ingredients

The best apples to use

Though any type of apple can be paired with oatmeal, some come out on top in terms of flavor and cook-ability. For a pairing that feels classic and is nearly guaranteed to wind up tasting delicious, go with fiji or gala apples. For a more sour flavor? You guessed it — granny smith or golden delicious!

Fuji, empire, and ida red apples are great on their own, but they’re also great for baking because they maintain their shape and texture when introduced to heat.

Variations

To make this with steel cut oats, cook for 25 to 30 minutes, adding more water as needed.
To make this with instant oats, cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
To make this in the microwave, cook on high for 3 minutes.

More oatmeal recipes to try

Can’t get enough oatmeal in the morning? Mix things up with some of these oatmeal recipes, like breakfast cookies (because who doesn’t love dessert for breakfast) or butternut squash oats!