Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal with Walnuts
This apple cinnamon & walnut oatmeal is a hot and creamy blend of steel cut oats, plant milk, maple syrup, warming cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold fall or winter morning, right? While quick-cooking oats are convenient because they’re ready in less than 5 minutes, the texture of steel-cut oats is just so much better. (Plus, as long as you remember to soak them the night before, these oats can be ready in just 15 minutes!) I love the classic combination of apples and cinnamon, and adding the walnuts brings in some crunchiness and heart-healthy fats. Throw in some maple syrup, and this is an indulgent yet very healthy breakfast to start the day!
How I Came Up With This Recipe
The first cold morning of fall always takes me back to our very first apple-picking trip to Vermont. Our kids were 5 and 3 years old then. We drove up early on a Saturday. The air was crisp and the orchard smelled like sweet, fallen fruit. The kids ran between the rows, and I kept saying, “Just a few more.” We came home with far too many apples. Two whole bags!
That night, I stood in the kitchen wondering what to do with them all. Pie and apple butter were obvious, but I wondered what else I could make with them. I looked in my pantry and steel cut oats and cinnamon were placed right next to each other and the light bulb went on. I said to my family, “Tomorrow’s breakfast will be an experiment.” I soaked the steel-cut oats before bed, and then, in the morning, I simmered them in creamy plant-based milk. Then, I stirred in chopped red apples, a pinch of cinnamon, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a handful of toasted walnuts.
The whole house smelled like a bakery. Everyone came to the kitchen in their pajamas, following their noses.
Now it’s our fall ritual. A cozy bowl that tastes like the orchard. Tender apples, nutty crunch, and chewy oats with a warm hug of cinnamon.
Why Steel Cut Oats?
I prefer to use steel cut oats when possible over rolled oats as steel cut oats are less processed. For steel-cut oats, the groat is simply chopped into 2–3 small pieces with steel blades. That’s it. Meanwhile, for rolled (old-fashioned) oats, the groat is steamed and pressed flat into flakes.
I also like the texture of steel cut oats – they are chewy, nutty, and hearty, with distinct grains instead of being a soft, mushy porridge. The flavor is also deeper, toastier, and more nutty than rolled oats. Additionally, steel cut oats are slower to digest because they’re less processed and have less surface area, and therefore, they break down more slowly. That means that they have a lower glycemic index and will provide you with steadier energy with less of a blood sugar spike.
Steel cut oats hold up well to the texture of the apples and walnuts, which add sweetness and complement their nutty taste. While quick oats cook more quickly, their texture is mushier once cooked and isn’t quite as good with the fruit and nuts. If you love breakfasts with oats but would prefer something more savory, you can check out my Baked Oats & Nuts recipe, which contains several savory spices.
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats, and Why Soak
Soaking steel-cut oats is optional, but it makes them cook faster and makes them easier to cook, and I find the texture better and more creamy. In fact, it cuts the cooking time down from 30 minutes to 10-15 minutes.
If you forget to soak the oats, no worries. Just cook the oats for 30 minutes and keep an eye on them. You might need to add more plant-based milk as needed.
Here are all the steps for making this steel cut oats recipe:
- Soak the oats overnight in water in the fridge.
- Drain the oats and simmer them in warm plant-based milk for 10 to 15 minutes, plus 5 more for thicker oatmeal.
- Stir in the apples, cinnamon, maple and walnuts off the heat and allow the oats to rest for 5 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
Full of nutty-tasting steel cut oats, tender diced apples, and crunchy walnuts, this apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is not only satisfying, but also uncomplicated to make. I like to add apples to this recipe as the apples add natural sweetness to the cooked oats. It’s like adding applesauce to the recipe. You can substitute pear for apple, but I prefer apple as it won’t get as mushy, and I enjoy getting bites of apple with my oatmeal. Here is more information about some of the key ingredients for these apple cinnamon steel cut oats:
- Steel Cut Oats: Nutty-tasting with an appealing texture, steel cut oats form the base of this delicious breakfast recipe.
- Apple: Choose a red apple that is unpeeled so that you get its beautiful color in the oats. I prefer Honeycrisp apples as they add natural sweetness and tartness, although any apple works.
- Plant based milk: You can use any type of plant milk that you enjoy such as almond milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. However, I prefer oat milk, as I feel like it cooks well and holds up well during the cooking process.
- Walnuts: Feel free to use raw or toasted walnuts for this recipe. Chopping them into small pieces will ensure that you get some walnuts in every single bite. Walnuts in oatmeal are great, as they add crunch, healthy fats, and fiber.
- Gluten free: Steel cut oats are naturally gluten-free but many store-bought varieties get contaminated with other types of grains during growing or processing, which might make them unsafe for those who are gluten free. If you require gluten free oats, check the package to make sure that they are certified gluten free.
Toppings and Variations
The wonderful thing about these apple cinnamon steel cut oats is that you can add any topping you want, whether it is berries, other nuts, nut butter, or flax. Here is a list of ways that you can modify this recipe with garnishes that vary in taste and texture:
- Swap the walnuts for pecans.
- Use pear instead of apple in the winter.
- Add extra spices such as nutmeg or cardamom.
- Garnish bowls with cashew yogurt or coconut yogurt for some tanginess and creaminess.
- Top bowls with almond butter or peanut butter for some extra nuttiness and protein.
- Add some fresh or frozen raspberries or blueberries on top to up your fruit intake for breakfast.
- Sprinkle some flax seeds or chia seeds on top for added fiber.
- Top bowls with granola for more fiber and crunch. My Multigrain Granola is delicious to have on hand anytime you need a garnish for a breakfast bowl or a healthy snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
To store your apple walnut oatmeal, allow it to cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat it, add a splash of plant-based milk and reheat it in a microwave or pan until it is hot and creamy again.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe as it will negatively impact the texture of the oats, apples, and walnuts.
Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel-cut oats, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 1/2 cups plant-based milk of choice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup red apple, (unpeeled, chopped)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup walnuts, (chopped)
Instructions
- The night before, place the steel-cut oats in a small bowl and add water over the top to soak. Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator.
- The morning of, pour the plant-based milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, then let it warm through and simmer for 1 minute.
- Drain the oats and add them to the plant-based milk in the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes on low, stirring occasionally. (If you like your oatmeal thicker and drier, cook for an additional 5 minutes.)
- Take the pan off of the heat and stir in the maple syrup, chopped apples, cinnamon, and walnuts. Mix well and cover it with a lid, then let it sit for 5 minutes so all the flavors come together and the apples soften slightly.
- Serve immediately.
Bon appétit!
Nutrition
FAQ
Real apple, a pinch of cinnamon, maple syrup, and toasted nuts for crunch. While you could use raw walnuts in your oatmeal, their flavor will be significantly improved by roasting them in the oven until they are fragrant.
Containing steel cut oats, fresh diced apples, and walnuts, apple cinnamon oatmeal is high in fiber and very filling. It is lower on the glycemic index, which means that it won’t spike your blood sugar in the same way as other foods, helping you stay full until your next meal.
Soaking the steel cut oats cuts the cooking time, helping you get your apple cinnamon oatmeal on the table faster. However, if you want to make it in a pinch, you don’t have to soak the oats. Simply extend the cooking time to 30 minutes and add more plant milk if needed.
No, it is best not to use rolled oats, as they are more processed than steel cut oats and will result in a softer, mushier porridge. Steel cut oats will have more texture once cooked, with distinct grains.
This apple cinnamon oatmeal is vegan as written, and you could easily make it gluten free with certified gluten free oats. While steel cut oats are naturally gluten free, they may have come into contact with other grains during processing, so make sure that you check the label for your oats to ensure they are certified gluten free.
Yes, you can! Simply allow it to cool to room temperature before you place it in the fridge, where it should keep for up to 3 days. Then, you can reheat it in a pot on the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave with a splash of additional plant milk until it is heated through.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy and may vary depending on ingredients used. This content is not intended as medical or dietary advice.
