Apple Pie Oatmeal Bowl (Printable)

Creamy oats infused with cinnamon and topped with warm caramelized apples and toasted nuts.

# What You Need:

→ Oatmeal Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 2 cups milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
03 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Apple Topping

07 - 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
08 - 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or coconut oil for vegan
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or brown sugar
11 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Garnishes

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
13 - Extra pure maple syrup or honey, to taste
14 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine oats, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
02 - Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until oats are creamy and tender.
03 - While oats cook, heat butter or coconut oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until apples are softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Divide oatmeal evenly between two bowls. Spoon warm apple topping over each.
05 - Sprinkle with chopped nuts, drizzle with additional maple syrup or honey if desired, and finish with a pinch of nutmeg. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent like apple pie but keeps you satisfied until lunch without the sugar crash.
  • The whole thing comes together in 20 minutes, so it works for lazy Sunday mornings or weekday mornings when you actually have five extra minutes.
  • You can easily swap milk types, apple varieties, and toppings based on what's in your kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the apples—they go from tender to mushy faster than you'd expect, and you want them soft but still holding some texture so they feel like actual apple, not applesauce.
  • If your oats seem too thick at the end, stir in a splash more milk until it reaches the consistency you want; creamy oatmeal is subjective and yours might need a little adjustment.
03 -
  • Use the freshest ground cinnamon you can find—old cinnamon tastes dusty, and this recipe depends on the spice being bright and warm.
  • If you're not serving immediately, keep the apples separate from the oats and combine them just before eating so the oats stay creamy instead of getting soggy from the apple juices.
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