Cinnamon Apple Old Fashioned Oatmeal
Cinnamon Apple Old Fashioned Oatmeal:
Making old fashioned oatmeal will always remind me of my Grandma. As a child, let’s just say I didn’t appreciate a healthy oatmeal breakfast, but she kept trying! And now I love it. It must be said that my smart Grandma also served the oatmeal with butter, brown sugar and milk, which made it much easier to grow to love. I now also add cinnamon to the oats as they are cooking, which adds a nice sweet, warm flavor.
It’s so easy to cook old fashioned oats (not quick oats) on the stovetop, and the texture is so nice and chewy. It’s a HUGE improvement from the instant variety. You can control the level of sweetness too, which is nice. And besides tasting better, old fashioned oats are higher in fiber than the instant variety, which will keep you full longer. Another bonus is that oats are naturally gluten free. (If you are gluten intolerant, make sure you buy the package marked “gluten free oats” to ensure there is no cross contamination from the factory machinery.)
To cook oatmeal on the stovetop, the water to oats ratio is 2 to 1, which is the same as it is for cooking rice, so that makes it easy to remember. All you need for the basic recipe are the old fashioned oats, water and a pinch of salt. Salt is vital to making oatmeal, it really does make a difference in flavor so don’t leave it out! As I said, I like to add cinnamon to the water too, but that is up to you.
Once you’ve cooked your oats, they will be delicious with a pat of butter and sprinkle of brown sugar, but they get even tastier with the addition of this cinnamon apple topping. I like to use Gala or Honeycrisp apples, but any kind of apple that is sweet and crisp will work. Or use Granny Smith apples if you want the topping to be more tart.
The cinnamon apple topping comes together really quickly, you can make it while the oats are cooking. The entire recipe is ready in 15 minutes! Finish your Cinnamon Apple Old Fashioned Oatmeal off with a splash of milk (I use vanilla almond milk) poured around the edge, and you are all set. My Grandma would be proud.
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Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned Oatmeal
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Description
It’s so easy to make stovetop oatmeal! Make extra and keep it in the fridge for a quick breakfast option.
Ingredients
Oatmeal
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup old fashioned oats (not quick cooking or instant)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Apple Topping
- 1 apple, peeled and small diced, I like to use Gala or Honeycrisp
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Additional Toppings (to taste)
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Milk
Instructions
- Add the water, salt and cinnamon to a saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking to incorporate the cinnamon into the water.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the oats. Stir to combine, then let simmer for about 15 minutes uncovered until the water is absorbed.
- While the oatmeal is cooking, combine your diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
- To serve, add your oatmeal to a bowl, top with the cinnamon apples, and pour a little milk around the edge.
Notes
If you leave off the cinnamon apple topping, serve the cooked oats with butter, brown sugar and milk the way my Grandma did!
