Name: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal (Stovetop)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 medium apples (any kind); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 cups milk (I use whole milk); 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; pinch salt; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or brown sugar, add more or less to taste)

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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!

bowl of stovetop apple cinnamon oatmeal with another bowl and an apple in the background and spoons on the side

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!

stovetop cinnamon apple oatmeal in a pot with a wooden spoon and apples in the background

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.

2 images; one of chopped apples on a cutting board with a knife, peeler, and the apple peels and cores with text that says peel, core and chop the apples; the other of butter melting in a saucepan with text that says melt butter in a medium saucepan

2 images; one of chopped apples and cinnamon added to the pot with text that says add the apples and cinnamon; the other of the apples and cinnamon cooking in the pot with text that says cook, stirring occasionally, until apples begin to soften

2 images; one of milk and oats added to the pot with the apples with text that says add the milk, oats, and salt; the other of the apple and oat mixture being cooked on the stove with text that says bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally

2 images; one of the finished oatmeal in the pot with a wooden spoon with text that says until thickened and most of the liquid has been absorbed; the other of maple syrup being added to the oatmeal with text that says stir in maple syrup, enjoy

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 5 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).

close-up of a spoonful of apple cinnamon oatmeal being taken out of the bowl

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!

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top-down view of apple cinnamon oatmeal in a white bowl with spoons on the side

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!

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 551

Author: Michelle / Now Cook This!

Ingredients

2 medium apples, any kind
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups milk, I use whole milk
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
pinch salt
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, or brown sugar, add more or less to taste

Instructions

Peel and core the apples; chop into ½-inch pieces (or whatever size you prefer).
In a medium saucepan (I use a 3-quart saucepan), melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped apples and cinnamon; stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Note: The apples will continue to cook and soften with the oatmeal, so don't take them too far at this point so they don't end up mushy.
Add the milk, oats and salt; stir to combine. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil (note: don't walk away; keep a close eye on the pot because the milk can quickly boil over if you're not paying attention).
Immediately reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the oats have softened and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Stir in the maple syrup; serve.

Notes

If making ahead, once the oatmeal has cooled, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 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).
If making a larger batch, use a larger pot and increase the cooking time if needed.

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