This is a variation of our steel cut oatmeal base recipe. Start your morning with a warm, hearty bowl of Steel Cut Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal! This simple oatmeal variation combines creamy steel cut oats with sweet apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted walnuts.
Made with whole grain oats and naturally sweet fruit, this breakfast is satisfying, flavorful, and easy to customize. It’s a delicious way to start with a balanced breakfast that includes fiber-rich whole grains, fruit, and nuts.
Must-Know Cooking Skills
To make this recipe even easier, check out these helpful videos!
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Culinary Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Use a combination of milk and water. Cooking oats in a mixture of milk and water creates creamy oatmeal while keeping the mixture from becoming too heavy. If you don’t want the creaminess, make the recipe with 100% water.
Stir occasionally, but not constantly. Steel cut oats need time to soften and absorb the liquid. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking and encourage even cooking. Stirring too often though can result in gummy oatmeal.
Adjust the consistency to YOUR taste. For thicker oatmeal, cook a little longer, remembering that it will continue to thicken as it cools. If your oatmeal becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of additional milk or water.
Don’t skip the salt! Even a small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the oats and other ingredients.
Dice the apple into small pieces. Cutting the apple into ¼ inch pieces helps it soften as the oatmeal cooks and distributes apple flavor throughout each bite.
Toast walnuts before adding them. Toasting brings out their natural oils and creates a deeper, more satisfying flavor and crunch.
Add vanilla extract at the end. Stir in vanilla extract after removing the oatmeal from the heat, otherwise it will evaporate while cooking and not be as flavorful.
Remember that oatmeal thickens as it cools. The oatmeal should look slightly loose when you remove it from the stove.
Ingredient Substitutions
Milk or Milk Alternative: Use any milk or unsweetened milk alternative you enjoy. Dairy milk, soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, and other alternatives can all work. If using a sweetened milk alternative, you may want to reduce or omit the added sweetener. Read more about the different kinds of milk here.
Apple: Use your favorite variety of apple! Some apples will soften more quickly than others, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
Brown Sugar: Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, or another natural sweetener can be used.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic choice, but nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, or a combination can be substituted. Learn more about the health benefits of spices in this article!
Vanilla Extract: Almond and coconut extract can also work. They tend to be stronger in flavor, so cut the amount in half.
Dried Cranberries: Any other dried fruit can be subbed. Dried cherries, blueberries, or raisins are easy to add as a substitute.
Walnuts: Use your favorite nut! Pecans, almonds, or cashews can also work. Be sure to toast them for the best flavor.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is very adaptable. Change up the fruit, add different spices, or add more mix-ins and/or toppings. The options are endless!
Want some steel cut oatmeal inspiration?
Check out the base recipe, take a look at the variations, and then have fun creating your own flavor combo!
Check out our stovetop regular oatmeal recipes for even more flavor inspiration!
Equipment Recommendations
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Is Steel Cut Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Healthy?
Steel cut oats are a type of whole grain oat. Like other whole grains, they provide carbohydrates for energy along with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oats are made by cutting whole oat groats into smaller pieces. They contain the bran, germ, and endosperm of the oat, which means they retain the nutrients naturally found in the whole grain.
Oats are especially well known for their fiber content, including beta-glucan, a soluble fiber associated with heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps support digestive health and can contribute to feelings of fullness after eating.
Curious about the differences between steel cut oatmeal and old fashioned or rolled oats? Read this article and learn everything you ever wanted to know about oats!
Apples
Apples provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial phytonutrients. Their natural sweetness and flavor pair perfectly with warm cinnamon and steel cut oats.
Walnuts
Walnuts provide unsaturated fats, plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients. Toast them before adding for the best flavor and texture.
Visit our Ingredient Guide to discover culinary tips for selecting the highest quality and most flavorful items for your cooking. We believe that choosing the best ingredients is the key to creating delicious food! 🌟🍴
Serving Suggestions
Serve steel cut apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and customize each serving with different toppings and mix-ins so you never get bored!
This oatmeal makes for a balanced breakfast with its combination of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Ready to create nutritious meals with ease? Explore our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book for more healthy inspiration!
How to Store Leftover Steel Cut Oatmeal
Allow leftover oatmeal to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate.
When reheating, add a splash of milk or water and stir to loosen the oatmeal. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Steel cut oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sits, so adding additional liquid when reheating is normal.
Want More Recipes Featuring Whole Grains and Apples?
Check out these favorites!
Peanut Butter Honey Toast with Sliced Apples
Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Walnuts
Share the Love – Leave Us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we encourage you to customize our base recipes to suit YOUR taste. Give it a try, leave us a review, and tell us which toppings or mix-ins you chose! We love hearing how you make it your own.
Steel Cut Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- 1 ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative*
- 1 small apple, diced ¼” (~¾ cup diced)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash kosher salt
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries
- 2 Tablespoons toasted chopped walnuts
- Dash cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water, milk, diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add oats, reduce heat, and stir to combine. Simmer for ~20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until oats soften and the liquid has thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let settle for another minute before eating. Oatmeal will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Top with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and a dash more of cinnamon. Enjoy!
