Oatmeal is one of my favorite weekday breakfast meals, because it’s quick and easy but also tastes delicious. It’s an especially cozy meal in the fall and winter, so I’m getting really gung ho about making oatmeal again. I also love that you can dress it up however you want, whether you want something sweeter, something more savory, or something filled with nourishing superfoods.
how to make oatmeal
When it comes down to it, the process of making oatmeal is incredibly simple. Once you’ve chosen your oats style, all you do is bring some liquid to a simmer on the stove and add the desired amount of oats. Cook until your oatmeal is at the perfect consistency for you. If you add too much liquid, just cook it a bit longer, and if your oatmeal seems dry, just add another splash. Easy!
If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll do exactly what I just explained above and then stir in a few blueberries, nuts, or spices. BUT, if you have a little extra time on your hands and want to make something truly spectacular, follow my cozy autumn oatmeal recipe below. I cook up some spiced apples to add to my oatmeal along with some of the greatest fall flavors like cinnamon, maple, and cranberries.
the cinnamon cran-apple oatmeal necessities
Dry rolled oats You can swap out a different type of oatmeal style if you wish. I like rolled oats if I’m trying to whip up a quick batch!
Milk I usually go with skim milk, but you can go full-fat, non-dairy, or even just water if that’s what you prefer
Coconut oil This is the oil I chose for the cooked apples. It gives them a little pop of flavor!
Apple Use a large, crisp apple like a honeycrisp or pink lady
Dried cranberries These add some tanginess. I always keep my pantry stocked with cranberries for some seasonal flavor!
Cinnamon The coziest of autumn spices
Maple syrup This is my favorite type of natural sweetener. It’s not necessary since the apples are already pretty sweet, but definitely a delicious addition
Chopped walnuts I love adding nuts to my oatmeal for a little extra crunch
⟶ the recipe
cinnamon cran-apple oatmeal
ingredients
1/2 cup dry rolled oats
1 cup skim milk (or non-dairy milk)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 large apple, peeled and cut into cubes
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon cinnamon, separated
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Handful of chopped walnuts
Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
10 minutes
Total time
20 minutes
2 servings
instructions
Heat coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, and add apple cubes. Stir apples to coat with oil, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add about a tablespoon of water, cover saucepan, and allow apples to soften while simmering.
Meanwhile, combine oats, milk, cranberries, and half of the cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Allow the oatmeal to heat up, and once it begins to bubble, stir constantly until oatmeal is at the desired consistency. Add a pinch of salt.
Going back to the apples, uncover, and add the rest of the cinnamon and maple syrup. If all the liquid has simmered off, add a bit more water, and cook all the ingredients together for a couple more minutes. Once apples are tender, but not mushy, remove from the heat. Pour the apple liquid into the oatmeal, and combine.
Spoon the oatmeal into a couple bowls, and top with apple compote and chopped walnuts.
⟶ modifications
- If you’re vegan or dairy-free, you can swap the milk for either a nut milk or water (although water will reduce some of the creaminess of the final product)
- I’m a big fan of using all-natural maple syrup as a sweetener, but you can use something else like honey or agave nectar. Or you can skip the sweetener altogether
- For this recipe, I use rolled (or old-fashioned) oats, but you can also use steel-cut oats. If you go with that, just know your oatmeal will have to cook for longer and you’ll want to use about twice as much liquid
⟶ store it
- You can refrigerate the oatmeal up to a few days after making. However, once it gets solidified, you may want to reheat it on the stove with an additional splash of milk
