Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge
This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge is the ultimate healthy + hearty breakfast recipe. Each bowl is topped with warm caramelized apples and takes less than 15 minutes to make. A fully gluten-free recipe, Vegan option available!
A few years ago, this recipe became my go-to breakfast whenever anyone in the family starts to feel sick. Oatmeal is an incredibly nutritious food, packed with essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, phosphorous, folate, and zinc. Not to mention dietary fiber and antioxidants!
And while all of those health benefits are important, this recipe for oatmeal goes way beyond just being good for you. It tastes like apple pie in a bowl, thanks to melted caramelized apples, crunchy walnuts and plenty of cinnamon spice. If you love Warm Vegan Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, you're going to go crazy for this easy gluten free breakfast!
How to Make Caramelized Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
there are a few key ingredients in this warm porridge recipe that you may not usually use in your morning oatmeal. these make this bowl better for you and even tastier.
Ingredients
Here's the list of ingredients to make caramel apple porridge for breakfast today:
- Thick Cut Rolled Oats. Choose gluten-free if necessary.
- Almond Milk. You can use any kind of plant-based milk you like. Coconut, oat or cashew will all be great.
- Fall Spices. We're talking cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
- Chia Seeds. These add tons of healthy fats and fiber, plus they make your oatmeal extra creamy.
- Apples. Any kind of apple will work. Tart apples will be less sweet.
- Maple Syrup. For that ultra-caramelized flavor. You could also use honey if you're not vegan.
- Nuts. Use walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts or your favorite kind!
- Brown Sugar. I like to use organic sugar to make sure it's fully vegan.
Looking for a Healthier Sweetener Option?
The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes list is all about finding better ways to enjoy your favorite sweets without compromising your healthy lifestyle. For those who follow a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle, this lists offers a few great ideas to incorporate healthy sweeteners into your diet.
Why Add Chia Seeds to Oatmeal
Chia seeds are one of my favorite superfoods to cook with. They are rich in fiber, vegetarian protein, and heart-healthy fats.
Research shows that eating nuts and seeds like chia can help protect reduce the risk of heart disease.
While some nuts and seeds are dense in calories, chia seeds have very few calories. That's why I love adding a sprinkle to my oatmeal, or even smoothies.
Making Caramelized Apples for Oatmeal
The best part about this creamy oatmeal bowl is the topping. Apples get gooey and caramelized on the stove so your breakfast tastes like dessert, but it's actually healthy!
You can serve these caramelized apples on oatmeal, or spread them on toast like jam. They're also delicious spooned over ice cream, especially my No-Churn Caramel Cone Ice Cream.
If you have leftover caramelized apples, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days. You can bet they won't last that long though!
Health Benefits of Oats
Oats are another superfood that's great to start your day with. Rolled oats like the ones used in this recipe, are a healthy source of complex carbs, fiber (the soluble kind!), protein, and fat. In addition, they are loaded with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Other great benefits of oats, according to studies:
- They can help lower cholesterol.
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels to avoid crashes and spikes
- May help with losing weight.
- Helps to relieve constipation.
More Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
- Breakfast Peanut Butter Banana Chia Seeds Oats have added protein from peanut butter, but you can use any nut butter you like!
- Healthy Cranberry Orange Oats with Pistachios are packed with bold flavor and nutrients. This oatmeal is a sure way to get your tastebuds dancing and your tummy full for a few hours before needing another bite to eat.
- Flourless Vegan Banana Oats Waffles are made right in a blender. These Gluten-Free waffles are naturally sweetened, fluffy, thick, airy, and full of flavor. The perfect breakfast or brunch dish with the perfect taste for your mornings!
- Fluffy Vegan Oatmeal Whole Wheat Pancakes are completely fluffy and oil-free and are truly irresistible.
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you make these Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Porridge or any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge
Ingredients
OATMEAL:
- 1 cup thick-cut Rolled oats, GF
- 1 medium Granny smith apple, peeled + diced
- 4 cups Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk!)
- ½ cup condensed milk
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon gorund nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of sea salt
CARAMELIZED APPLES:
- 1 medium Gala apples, sliced with skin on
- 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
TOPPING:
- Toasted walnuts or pecans (See Notes!)
Instructions
TO MAKE OATMEAL:
- Add oats, diced apples, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sea salt to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until everything is combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low so that everything simmers for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once done, oats should thicken and become swollen + fluffy and creamy with half the the liquid still remaining. Stir in the condensed milk + maple syrup and let simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes before removing it from heat.
CARAMELIZED APPLES:
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and heat until melted. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon and sea salt and stir until combined and everything begins to bubble a bit, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the sliced apples and toss until well coated and cook for 8-10 minutes, until tender and the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
- To serve, portion oatmeal into serving bowl(s) and top with caramelized apples, toasted nuts, and a light drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Perfect for meal prep for the week!
- OVERNIGHT OPTION: Simply add all oatmeal ingredients to a bowl and mix together until combined. Tightly cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours). Once ready to serve, make Caramelized Apples and top overnight oats and enjoy.
- TOASTED NUTS: Add chopped walnuts/pecans to a baking sheet and toasting them in the oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5-10 minutes, tossing them halfway to avoid browning on one side.
- SWEETENER: Instead of maple syrup, you can simply use Agave to oatmeal as a sweetener.
- VEGAN OPTION: Omit condensed milk and substitute with canned full-fat coconut milk/cream instead and unsalted butter with vegan butter.
Nutrition
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Wow - what an experience. I should’ve known from the nonsensical proportions that this would be a mess. I ended up adding more oats, doubling the amount of granny smith apples, and using three gala apples to make use of all the caramel. With the amount added, I had enough to meal prep for six days! How in the world is the original recipe only for 2 servings?!? Regarding the taste, it’s tasty, but not much to brag about. I’ve made something similar with far less ingredients and certainly with far less sugar.
Hi Alexys! Thanks so much for your feedback! This is actually the first time I've heard of so many servings being derived from this recipe. I've actually made it a few times myself and often use around the same amount of ingredients for other porridges and haven't had an issue. I'm so sorry that it didn't work out. I dp hope that you get a chance to try it again. 🙂
I made this this morning and it was delicious! The recipe was easy to follow and all the ingredients are things i regularly have on hand. Packaged oatmeal is way too sweet and this was the perfect amount, plus the apples added a juicy zing. We got 3 servings from it and I feel full, but not heavy. Will definitely be making this again!
Hi Brittany! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe! It's definitely a fave in our house for sure!! 🙂
This is delicious! I love how it’s just sweet enough without too much sugar, and it’s so filling!
Wonderful! I had to use instant oats, but the recipe still came out so tasty. Topped with a little plain Greek yogurt made this perfect for my pre-workout meal.
Hi Lisa! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe! It's definitely an easy, quick breakfast meal that's one of my favorites! 🙂
This is one of my favorite fall recipes - I meal prep a double recipe and portion out for my breakfast during the week. It reheats so well!
Can't wait to try this recipe, I know my family will love it!
I'm making this tomorrow. Love delicious twists on my regular oatmeal breakfast.
So good! Making this this cold Fall morning with apples that I now know EXACTLY what to do with!
This looks so yummy! Definitely going to try.
Thanks so much Deserena! Be sure to let me know how it turns out!
I eat a bowl of oatmeal everyday so this would be a great way to switch it up!
Hi Amanda! I'm definitely trying to get in the routine of eating oatmeal daily as well. There are so many ways to revamp oatmeal so it's such a good way to keep your tastebuds from getting bored.
I eat a bowl of oatmeal everyday and this would be a great way to switch things up! Trying out this recipe this weekend!
I haven't tried this with coconut milk yet, but plan to. Hope you don't mind that I shared this with my facebook peeps!
Coconut milk makes it so much more creamy! I definitely recommend! Also, thanks so much for sharing this! I truly appreciate it!
OK so I eat oatmeal EVERY morning haha!!
ANDDDD I have chia seeds
NEVER thought of putting them together like this even though it makes total SENSE!!
Ugh - shame on me and yay on you!!
OMG, really? I never really got into the whole oatmeal game of having it every morning! BUT I do see why people love it daily! Yes, girl! You need to try them together. It's bomb! 🙂
yum- this sounds delish! We try to eat plant based the majority of the time. I'll have to give this recipe a try! thanks for sharing
Hi Melissa! Yes, we try to do the same, especially when it comes to desserts as a way to lead our little one by example! Be sure to let me know how it turns out when you do decide to try it!
great recipe i might try this in the future
Thanks so much Denise! I do hope that you like it!