Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

This apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is made with Granny Smith apples, maple syrup, butter and plenty of cinnamon. The apples cook until tender before being mixed with creamy oats, giving you warm apple flavor in every bite.

The stovetop method is my favorite when I want breakfast ready in about 15 minutes. You can also make it in the Instant Pot or use steel-cut oats in the slow cooker for an easy overnight breakfast. Three options because mornings are unpredictable.

I like this oatmeal with another drizzle of maple syrup and a small pat of butter on top. Chopped pecans or walnuts are also really good if you want some crunch.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• What Kind of Oats Should I Use?
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Ingredients
• How to Make Stovetop Apple Oatmeal
• How to Make Instant Pot Apple Oatmeal
• How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Top Tip
• Substitutions
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Variations
• What to Serve with Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Make Ahead
• How to Store Apple Oatmeal
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Equipment
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready quickly on the stove: The old-fashioned-oat version takes approximately 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Three cooking methods: Make it on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot or overnight in the slow cooker.
• Full of actual apples: The apples cook directly with the cinnamon instead of being added as an afterthought.
• Easy to adjust: Add more maple syrup, use a sweeter apple or finish it with your favorite toppings.
• Good for meal prep: Both the Instant Pot and slow-cooker methods make it easy to prepare oatmeal ahead of time.

What Kind of Oats Should I Use?

Old-fashioned oats are the best choice for the primary stovetop recipe. They cook in approximately five minutes and become creamy without completely losing their texture.

You can also use old-fashioned oats in the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking makes them softer than the stovetop version, but it is a good hands-off option.

For the slow cooker, use steel-cut oats. They can handle the long cooking time and keep their chewy texture. Old-fashioned oats will become very soft after several hours in the slow cooker, and quick oats will basically disappear. Save those for another morning.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Ingredients

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

Oats: Use old-fashioned oats for the stovetop or Instant Pot methods. Use steel-cut oats for the slow-cooker version.

Granny Smith apple: Granny Smith apples are tart enough to balance the maple syrup and hold their shape as they cook. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji or Gala apples will also work.

Maple syrup: This sweetens the oatmeal while adding a warm maple flavor. Use pure maple syrup if possible and keep a little extra nearby for serving.

Cinnamon: The apple cooks with half of the cinnamon, and the rest gets stirred into the finished oatmeal. This gives the whole bowl plenty of cinnamon flavor.

Butter: Cooking the apple in butter makes it softer, richer and slightly caramelized around the edges. You can use plant-based butter or leave it out if needed.

Salt: You only need a small amount, but it brings out the apple, maple and cinnamon flavors.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Stovetop Apple Oatmeal

Step 1: Cook the apple

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add the diced apple and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook for three to four minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple begins to soften.

If you prefer very soft apples, cook them for another two to three minutes before adding the water.

Step 2: Add the water

Pour in two cups of water and add the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Cook the oats

Stir in the old-fashioned oats. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal is creamy.

Keep an eye on the heat. Oatmeal loves to boil over the second you look away.

Step 4: Add the maple syrup

Stir in the maple syrup and the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook for one more minute.

Divide the oatmeal between two bowls. Top it with more maple syrup, another small pat of butter or chopped nuts.

How to Make Instant Pot Apple Oatmeal

The Instant Pot method uses the same basic ingredients, but the butter is stirred in after cooking instead of being used to sauté the apple.

Instant Pot instructions

Do not use quick or instant oats in the pressure cooker. They cook too quickly and can become mushy.

How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Steel-cut oats are the best choice for slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal. They need more water than rolled oats and make approximately four servings.

Slow-cooker ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 4 cups water
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and diced
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, plus more for greasing

Slow-cooker instructions

1. Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with butter or cooking spray.
2. Add the steel-cut oats, water, diced apples, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on low for six to eight hours or on high for three to four hours.
4. Stir the oatmeal well. Mix in one tablespoon of butter and add more water or milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
5. Serve with additional maple syrup, cinnamon or chopped nuts.

Slow cookers can vary quite a bit. Check the oatmeal toward the earlier end of the cooking range the first time you make it. If your slow cooker runs hot, six hours may be plenty.

Top Tip

Cut the apple into small, evenly sized pieces so everything softens at the same rate.

For the stovetop method, cook the apple for an extra two to three minutes before adding the water if you want it very soft. For a little more texture, stick with the original three-to-four-minute cooking time.

Substitutions

Apples: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji and Gala apples all work. These varieties are sweeter than Granny Smith, so you may want to use slightly less maple syrup.

Maple syrup: Honey or brown sugar can be used instead. Brown sugar will give the oatmeal more of an apple-pie flavor.

Butter: Use plant-based butter to keep the recipe dairy-free and vegan. You can also leave it out, although the stovetop apples will not have quite the same richness.

Water: For the stovetop recipe, replace some of the water with dairy or nondairy milk for creamier oatmeal. Milk can scorch more easily, so keep the heat low and stir regularly.

Cinnamon: Apple pie spice works if you want more spice. You can also add a small pinch of nutmeg, ginger or cardamom.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Variations

Apple pie oatmeal: Add a pinch of nutmeg and ginger, then finish the oatmeal with chopped pecans.

Add more protein: Top each bowl with Greek yogurt, peanut butter or almond butter.

Make it extra creamy: Stir in a splash of milk, oat milk or almond milk before serving.

Add some crunch: Top the oatmeal with toasted pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds or granola.

Add dried fruit: Stir in raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dates during the last minute of stovetop cooking.

Make it sweeter: Add more maple syrup when serving instead of increasing the amount in the entire batch. Everyone gets to decide how sweet breakfast should be.

What to Serve with Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This oatmeal is filling on its own, but Greek yogurt, nut butter or eggs can add more protein.

If you want oatmeal without turning on the stove, try my Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter. They are especially good during the summer when hot oatmeal sounds like a terrible idea.

You can also serve it with my Green Apple Smoothie or try my Healthy Banana Pudding for another make-ahead breakfast.

For a savory brunch option, serve smaller bowls of oatmeal alongside my Chorizo Breakfast Skillet.

Make Ahead

You can peel and dice the apple one day ahead. Toss it with a small amount of lemon juice to slow down browning, then refrigerate it in an airtight container.

The cooked oatmeal can also be divided into individual containers for easy breakfasts throughout the week. It will become thicker in the refrigerator, so add a splash of water or milk when reheating it.

If this becomes one of those recipes you make every fall, save a handwritten copy in my Cilantro Parsley Recipe Card Box Set. It is nice having the recipes you actually make somewhere other than an open tab on your phone.

How to Store Apple Oatmeal

Refrigerator

Let the oatmeal cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to four days.

Freezer

Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat the oatmeal in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or milk and stir until creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make apple cinnamon oatmeal ahead of time?

Yes. Cook and refrigerate it for up to four days. Add water or milk when reheating because the oats will continue absorbing liquid in the refrigerator.

Can I use quick oats?

Quick oats can be used on the stovetop, but you will need to reduce the cooking time according to the package instructions. Do not use them in the Instant Pot or slow cooker because they can become too soft.

Should I peel the apple?

You don’t have to, but I prefer peeling it for a softer texture. If you like a little more bite, leave the peel on.

Why is my oatmeal too thick?

Oats continue absorbing liquid as they sit. Stir in water or milk a little at a time until the oatmeal reaches the consistency you want.

Why is my oatmeal too thin?

Let it sit for several minutes before adjusting it. If it is still too thin, continue cooking it over low heat until more liquid is absorbed.

For the Instant Pot version, use the sauté function for one or two minutes and stir continuously.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes. Use plant-based butter or leave the butter out. Maple syrup is already used as the sweetener.

Equipment

For the primary recipe, you will need a medium saucepan. A heavy-bottomed saucepan helps distribute the heat evenly and reduces the chance of scorching.

For the additional methods, use a 6-quart Instant Pot or a slow cooker. These are both natural affiliate-link opportunities, but the post does not need an entire shopping section.

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