Warm and comforting apple cinnamon oatmeal is the perfect cozy breakfast to warm you up on a cold day! It’s quick and easy to make, with soft apples and just the right amount of cinnamon spice.
This stovetop oatmeal recipe is super creamy and lightly sweetened with honey. I love to enjoy this oatmeal with a dollop of Greek yogurt, crunchy walnuts, and extra sauteed apples on top – so good!
Healthy Stovetop Oatmeal with Apples & Cinnamon
If you’re new around here, you should probably know that I’m a huge fan of oatmeal! It can be such a satisfying, delicious, and healthy breakfast – as long as it’s done right. Nobody wants to eat watery, flavorless oatmeal!
I have tons of oatmeal recipes on my site – including this carrot cake oatmeal, high protein oatmeal, pumpkin pie oatmeal, and six ways to make overnight oats (among many others). (Hint: you should definitely try them all!)
This cinnamon oatmeal with apples is a tasty breakfast any time of year, but it’s especially fitting for fall and winter. It’ll make your kitchen smell like apple pie while it’s cooking!
It’s simple, filling, and sweet-but-not-too-sweet. A great oatmeal recipe for weekdays, but the optional sautéed apple topping makes it feel fancy enough for a weekend brunch, too!
And don’t worry – if you’re tight on time, I’ll share how you can make it quickly in the microwave, too.
Recipe Ingredients
To make this stovetop apple oatmeal, you only need a few ingredients:
- oats (Old-fashioned oats – also known as rolled oats – are best for the right texture. Be sure to get gluten free certified oats if you need this recipe to be gluten free!)
- milk (You can use any type of milk you want – either dairy or non-dairy! I used unsweetened almond milk here.)
- ground flaxseed (This helps thicken up the oatmeal and adds nutrients. You can replace it with chia seeds, hemp seeds, or even almond meal if preferred!)
- apple (I used Pink Lady apples here, but you can use any type of apple you like.)
- honey (Feel free to replace this with pure maple syrup if you prefer it, or if you need to make this recipe vegan).
- ground cinnamon
- butter (or coconut oil for dairy free oatmeal)
- apple
- honey
- ground cinnamon
Plus, any toppings you want! I love some walnuts and a dollop of Greek yogurt, but of course you can make it however you like. 🙂
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
To make this stovetop apple oatmeal, start by combining all the ingredients in a medium saucepan on the stove. Mix well.
Bring the mixture to a boil (over medium-high heat). Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Simmer the oatmeal for about 10 minutes, until it’s thickened and the apples are just beginning to soften.
If making the optional sautéed apple topping, melt butter or coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple and cook for a few minutes, stirring, until the apples just start to soften at the edges.
Reduce the heat to low, then add the honey and cinnamon. Cook, stirring, for another couple of minutes until the apples are just tender and lightly browned, and the honey is bubbling.
Lastly, spoon the oatmeal into two bowls. Top with the sautéed apples, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and walnuts. (Or whatever you prefer!)
What kind of apples should I use?
You can use any type of apples you like! I love Pink Lady apples, because I find that they’re never mealy and they have a great balance of sweet and tart.
Other great options are Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, McIntosh, or Granny Smith (if you’re into a tarter apple).
Can I make this apple oatmeal dairy free?
Absolutely! This recipe should work with most types of dairy or non-dairy milk. Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk are all great plant-based/non-dairy options.
Ground Flaxseed Substitutes
Don’t have ground flaxseed? You can easily substitute chia seeds, hemp seeds, or even almond meal!
If using chia seeds, you may want to add a little extra milk or other liquid, as chia seeds absorb a good amount of liquid.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Not unless you want to! I don’t bother taking the time to peel the apples in this recipe, because I find that the peels get tender and don’t bother me.
But I know some people don’t love the texture, so this recipe can certainly be made with peeled apples if you prefer.
Can I microwave this apple oatmeal?
To make this apple oatmeal recipe in the microwave, you’ll need to use a large microwave-safe bowl or divide the oatmeal into two batches.
Combine all oatmeal ingredients in a bowl and microwave for 3-5 minutes, until the oatmeal is thick and apples are tender.
If you’re making a large batch, you may need to continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until it’s fully cooked. I recommend stirring every minute if your oatmeal batch is really large.
Storage Tips
Store the cooked oatmeal in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
To reheat the refrigerated oatmeal on the stovetop, place it in a saucepan with a splash of milk or water. Use a spoon to mash it/break it up so it’s not in one big clump. Then, heat it over medium-low heat, stirring, until heated through.
To reheat the oatmeal in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of milk or water. Break it up with a spoon. Then, microwave it for 2 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.
Topping Ideas for Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
This apple oatmeal recipe is delicious topped with walnuts, sautéed apples, and plain Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess and a little tang), but feel free to add anything you want! Here are some more ideas:
- pecans or almonds
- sunflower seeds
- berries
- peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- banana slices
- a sprinkle of nutmeg
- raisins
I hope this apple oatmeal helps keep you warm and nourished through the chilly mornings. You’ll find the full apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
More oatmeal recipes to try:
- Perfect Microwave Oatmeal with Banana
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk
- Savory Oatmeal with Eggs
- Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats
- Healthy Banana Baked Oatmeal
Love apples? Here are a few more recipe ideas:
- White Cheddar Omelette with Apples
- Apple Oatmeal Bars with Cinnamon
- Apple Cabbage Slaw with White Beans
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This warm stovetop apple cinnamon oatmeal is the perfect cozy breakfast recipe to warm you up on a cold day! Top with Greek yogurt & walnuts.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups milk (dairy or nondairy - I used unsweetened almond milk)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 apple, cut into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the optional sauteed apple topping:
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 apple, cut into small cubes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Additional optional toppings:
- Plain greek yogurt, walnuts
Instructions:
- Combine all oatmeal ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the oatmeal is thick and the apples are just barely tender.
- For the sauteed apple topping: Heat the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apple and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just beginning to soften around the edges. Turn the heat down to low and add the honey and cinnamon. Continue to stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the apples are just barely tender and the honey is bubbling.
- Divide the oatmeal between two bowls and top with sauteed apples, yogurt, and walnuts.
Notes:
- There's no need to peel the apples, as the peels will get tender as they cook. But feel free to peel them before cooking if that texture bothers you!
- To make this in the microwave, you'll need to use a large microwave-safe bowl or divide the oatmeal into two batches. Combine all oatmeal ingredients in a bowl and microwave for 3-5 minutes, until the oatmeal is thick and apples are tender. If you're making a large batch, you may need to continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until fully cooked.
- To store and reheat: store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week. To reheat, place leftover oatmeal in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl with a splash of milk or water and break up the oatmeal with a wooden spoon. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave for 2 minutes, until the oatmeal is heated through.
