The weather is steadily getting colder around here. I don’t know about you but a cold breakfast does not appeal to me on these chilly mornings. This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a delicious and satisfying breakfast that warms me up inside and kick starts my morning to give me enough energy to keep going until lunchtime without getting hungry.
I have used steel-cut oats in my Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. My daughter introduced me to these oats and I love them. This kind of oats are oat grouts with outer husk removed and cut into several pieces. Steel-cut oats have a firmer texture and nuttier flavor than the quick or old-fashioned oats but all these oats share the same nutritional value. A number of sweet apple varieties such as Gala, Jonathan or Golden Delicious taste fantastic in this oatmeal, I have used Gala in mine.
Steel-cut oats take a little longer to cook than quick or old-fashioned oats but in my opinion they make a tastier and creamier oatmeal. However, I prefer using old-fashioned oats in baked goods such as my Toffee Crunch Oatmeal Cookies because they have a softer texture and are more suitable for baking than the coarser steel-cut oats.
No matter which of these oats you choose to use, keep in mind that homemade oatmeal is much healthier than the boxed instant versions that are not half as creamy and are loaded with sugar. You be the judge of the texture and taste, but I think you will not go back to instant once you try this recipe.
The oats are simmered in milk with cinnamon for 30 minute with some occasional stirring. Soaking the oats overnight will reduce this cooking time; however, this long slow simmer results in a much creamier oatmeal.
This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is naturally sweetened with diced sweet apples. I like to use unpeeled apples for extra nutrition and flavor but you may peel it if you wish. This is a very healthy breakfast that is wholesome and delicious without any added sugar.
I usually serve this oatmeal in individual bowls with a small cube of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon and some honey on the side for those with a sweet tooth.
Cook Time: 35 minutes
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- 3 cups milk (I used 1%)
- 2 pinches salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup diced unpeeled sweet apples (Gala, Jonathan, or golden delicious)
- Garnish:
- Extra apple slices on the side
- Butter
- Extra ground cinnamon
- Honey (optional)
- Add milk, oats, salt and cinnamon to a 3-Qt nonstick pot. Bring it to a boil over medium heat without covering the pot and stir a few times to prevent oats from sticking to the bottom.
- Reduce heat to between medium low and low and without covering simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Keep a close eye on it because oats tend to overflow. At this point the oats will be soft and the liquid will be reduced to about half and thickened.
- Wash and dice a medium or large sweet apple without peeling it for added nutrition, fiber and flavor. If the skin is tough, peel it and then dice. Add the diced apple and stir. Increase the heat to medium low and bring it to a low boil. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Ladle the oatmeal into two bowls and top each with extra ground cinnamon and a dab of butter. Serve with extra apple slices and honey on the side.
Weather in our neck of the woods is also getting a bit cooler.
My husband can live on granola and oatmeal alone. He buys his from Whole Foods and has them every morning. Thank you for the information about the steel-cut oats. I have no clue about these things, and I learned something new and a good recipe!
Dear Fae, your husband is going to love this oatmeal then. I love that there is no added sugar and it is only sweetened with apples. I was introduced to steel-cut oats by my oldest daughter and I really like how much creamier the oatmeal is.