Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a fiber-packed and inexpensive recipe-for-one that’s perfect for your weekday breakfasts!
Why Eat Oatmeal?
Oats are one of those whole grains that has a reputation for being healthy. They’re high in fiber and are a good source of complex carbohydrates and protein. Oats are also rich in antioxidants and may be helpful in reducing blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
Because oats are high in fiber, they also keep you full longer. That means that you can start your morning off with a satisfying meal that will keep your belly full and happy until lunchtime!
They’re also naturally gluten-free, so they’re a good option for anyone who needs to avoid gluten. Just be sure to check the labels because some oats can be contaminated with wheat, barley, or rye.
How to Make Oatmeal
Making oatmeal is super easy and only requires a few ingredients. You need rolled oats, water, a little salt, and heat. We prefer making our oatmeal on the stove for best results, but you can also make it in the microwave if you’d like. Either way, it only takes a little time to make a satisfying and healthy start to your day.
When making plain oatmeal, we like to top it with a splash of dairy or almond milk and a sprinkle of brown sugar. However, it only takes 3 to 5 more minutes to make an exceptional bowl of oatmeal with some apples and cinnamon.
Ingredients in Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal For One
- Rolled oats – this recipe uses rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats) for easy and quick results. Steel cut oats are good but they’ll take longer to cook, so you’ll need to factor in extra time if you use those. Be sure not to use instant or quick-cooking oats instead of rolled. While oats are naturally gluten-free, some can be contaminated with wheat, barley, or rye, so always check the labels.
- Water – some recipes use milk, but we find that the best way way to cook oats is to use water.
- Salt – oats are very mild and can be bland in flavor, so a pinch of salt gives them depth. We also add salt to the apples for the same reason.
- Apples – you can use any apples here, but we prefer apples that are both tart and a little sweet, like honeycrisp or cosmic crisp.
- Brown sugar – we love the molasses notes of brown sugar with the apples and oatmeal.
- Cinnamon – cinnamon brings warm notes and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Lemon – just a hint of lemon juice brightens up the apple mixture.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
STEP 1: Add the water and salt to a pot on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and add the oats.
STEP 2: Cook the oats for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal is your desired consistency. We like our oatmeal not too wet or dry and not overly mushy, so 10 to 15 minutes is usually perfect for us.
Note: Go to STEP 3 while the oatmeal is still cooking for best results.
STEP 3: While the oatmeal is cooking, add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to a bowl. Mix the ingredients together and let them sit for about 10 minutes while the oats finish cooking. While the fruit mixture rests, it will give off more liquid which will act almost as a fruity, lemony syrup for the oats.
STEP 4: Serve the oatmeal with an optional splash of milk (dairy or non-dairy) and the apple cinnamon topping.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
Oatmeal
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats)
- ⅛ tsp salt
Apple Cinnamon Topping
- 1 apple, diced
- 1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar, depending on preference
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- squeeze of lemon juice
- pinch salt
Optional
- Splash of milk for topping, dairy or non-dairy
Instructions
Make the Oatmeal
- Add the water and salt to a pot on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer (just below a boil) and add the oats.1 cup water, ⅛ tsp salt, ½ cup rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats)
- Cook the oats for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal is your desired consistency. Note: Go to STEP 3 while the oatmeal is still cooking for best results.
Make the Apple Cinnamon Topping
- While the oatmeal is still cooking, mix the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes while the oats finish cooking. While the fruit mixture rests, it will give off more liquid which will act almost as a fruity, lemony syrup for the oats.1 apple, 1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, squeeze of lemon juice, pinch salt
Finishing Up
- Serve the oatmeal with an optional splash of milk (dairy or non-dairy) and the apple cinnamon topping.Splash of milk for topping
