Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal (Stovetop)

This easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is made on the stovetop and is creamy, lightly sweet and cinnamon-y, and loaded with chunks of cooked fresh apples. It’s the perfect fall breakfast!

this recipe

When the mornings are chilly, I always want a big bowl of hot oatmeal to warm me up and get my day off to a good start. And since it’s apple season, my current favorite is this delicious homemade apple cinnamon oatmeal!

For the past few weeks, I have been happily working my way through all of the different varieties of apples available at my local orchard (oh, how I love this time of the year!).

Mostly, I’ve just been snacking on them as is – an apple a day, as they say – or dipping them in peanut butter (a winning combination that I had always heard of but only recently tried for the first time) or some of my homemade dulce de leche (the best carmel-y deliciousness ever!).

But I’ve been enjoying this cinnamon apple oatmeal quite often too. It’s wholesome, nutritious, satisfying, and so yummy. And it fills me up until lunchtime.

The best part is that it’s super easy to make, and it’s ready in just 20 minutes.

Don’t have 20 minutes in the morning? No problem! You can make it ahead of time and quickly heat it up for breakfast on the stove or in the microwave. It’s great for meal prepping!

If you’re a fan of those little packets of instant apples and cinnamon oatmeal (I ate so many of them for breakfast growing up!), you’ve got to try this homemade version. Sure, it takes a little more time, but it’s so worth it because it’s even better!

Ingredients you need:

• Apples (your favorite kind)
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Milk
• Old-fashioned rolled oats
• Salt
• Pure maple syrup (or brown sugar)

Here’s a look at how to make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:

Note: This is just a quick overview of the steps. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe with detailed instructions.

Tips & Tidbits:

• Use whatever kind of apples you like best. My current favorites are Honeycrisp and Gala because they are on the sweeter side, but any type will do.
• I love nice big pieces of apple in my oatmeal, about ½ inch in size, but you can chop them smaller if you’d rather.
• Use regular old-fashioned rolled oats. Don’t use quick oats because they will get too soft and mushy. If you’re gluten-free, make sure your oats say that they are certified gluten-free.
• I always make my oatmeal with all whole milk because I really like the creaminess, and I think the oatmeal just tastes better. But you can use your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk or even water (just know that the flavor will be different).
• Since we love real maple syrup in my house, that is what we use to sweeten our oatmeal. Brown sugar (light or dark) or even regular sugar also work well with this oatmeal. Whatever you choose, sweeten the oats to your own personal taste.
• To make a larger batch, use a larger pot and increase the cooking time if needed.
• If making ahead, once the oatmeal has cooled, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (you will probably need to add some milk or water to thin it out a bit).

Feel free to add some healthy toppings to your oatmeal, such as extra cinnamon, nuts, raisins or other dried fruit, chia seeds, or ground flaxseed.

I hope you try this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!

• Peanut Butter, Banana and Jam Baked Oatmeal
• Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
• Basic Overnight Oats
• Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
• Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats (Pot-in-Pot Method)