Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

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Apple cinnamon steel cut oatmeal is absolutely loaded with the flavors of apple pie. The steel cut oatmeal is perfectly cooked so you get that hearty chew to make for a warm and comforting breakfast.

Small bowl of steel cut oatmeal with chunks of apples and cinnamon next to honey pot and apples.

This apple steel cut oats recipe is the epitome of fall. It has so much apple flavor and your whole house will smell like apple pie while it cooks.

It is easy to make, the leftovers are great, and it is delicious too. Not to mention it is a filling and nutritious breakfast, it really does hit on all counts!

Plan to make a batch every weekend all fall long and it is sure to be a magnificent autumn. It is the perfect way to start a fall day off on the right foot.

Bowl of apple pie steel cut oats topped with pecans and sliced apples.

We made a batch to share with family during a big breakfast. People were going back for seconds… of oatmeal! And I promise you there were lots of options, so it wasn’t because they would starve otherwise.

Little Dude wanted warmed up leftovers for his snack that night and again for breakfast in the morning. So I made more to have an easy breakfast for him during the week.

How do I store leftover steel cut oats?

Luckily the leftovers store and reheat well. They will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

About 45 seconds in the microwave is all it takes to get you a warm bowl of filling oatmeal. It’s a perfect solution for a busy morning.

Steel cut oatmeal with apples, cinnamon and apple cider.

You can also freeze the cooked oatmeal. Portion individual servings into freezer safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to heat them up, add a splash of water, apple juice or milk and microwave for about 2 minutes. Breakfast will be ready just like that!

What kind of toppings should I put on my apple cinnamon steel cut oats?

These oats are fabulous on their own. But a few toppings can take them from good to company ready.

A drizzle of honey or maple syrup will speak to your sweet tooth. Some toasted pecans would add a lovely crunch.

bowl of apple pie steel cut oats with diced apples and pecans.

Add fresh chopped apple for a brightness and more crunch. Or a dollop of vanilla ice cream is a good choice as well if you want to go whole hog.

If you happen to have a little sweetened condensed milk leftover from making buttercream, drizzle some on top. It’s indulgent for sure, but tastes like melted ice cream on your warm apple pie.

Enameled dutch oven filled with apple steel cut oats and spatula.

Tips and Tricks

So if you are in the mood to start your day with a bowl of fall, this is just the thing for you. The steel cut oats do take a little time to cook, but not much effort.

You can trim about 10 minutes off the cook time by soaking the oats in the liquid in your refrigerator overnight and then cooking them in the morning. Otherwise you could pick up some quick cooking steel cut oats

I enjoy the process so I liked taking the time and enjoying the wonderful aroma. Plus it gives you something to look forward to as you wait for the timer to go off.

Steel cut oats with lots of apple and cinnamon next to honey jar and apples.

If you love steel cut oats, try my recipe for healthy chocolate steel cut oats. They are sweetened with banana but have a rich chocolate taste.

You may also like maple cinnamon steel cut oats in the instant pot or pressure cooker honey pear steel cut oats. Both use the power of the pressure cooker to make the process fast and easy.

Do you have to rinse steel cut oats?

I usually don’t rinse steel cut oats if I am cooking them from dry. Some people do rinse soaked steel cut oats before cooking them.

More Great Apple Breakfast Ideas

If you like apple and oatmeal together, try my apple pie baked oatmeal. It is a completely different texture and presentation, but similar flavor profile to this recipe.

If you have a sourdough starter, make my caramel apple sourdough muffins. They are loaded with good stuff including oatmeal, apples and of course bits of caramel!

Or if you don’t have a sourdough starter, but still want muffins, try pumpkin apple muffins. They feature both of fall’s most famous flavors!

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Yield: 6 Servings

Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats

Loaded with apple flavor and that hearty steel cut oatmeal chew, this apple pie oatmeal is sure to be a favorite fall breakfast. Grab a spoon and dig in!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup steel cut oatmeal (uncooked)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups apple juice or cider
1 1/2 cups water
1 apple, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 dash nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoon honey (or to taste)
optional: additional apple slices and/or pecans for serving

Instructions

Combine the steel cut oatmeal, applesauce, apple juice, water, diced apple, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent burning. Add a little more liquid as you go if it looks like it's needed.
When the oatmeal is cooked to your liking, remove the pot from the heat. Strin in the vanilla and honey. Start with just a bit of honey and add until you reach your desired sweetness.
Serve topped with additional apples and pecans if desired.

Notes

*To take some time off the cook time, you can soak the oatmeal in the liquid in your refrigerator overnight. That should reduce the time it takes to cook by about ten minutes.

Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

How do I store leftover steel cut oats?

What kind of toppings should I put on my apple cinnamon steel cut oats?