Creamy Apple Cinnamon Porridge is the perfect way to start a chilly morning. Made with steel-cut oats and topped with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples, it’s a cozy and comforting breakfast that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. Whether you’re making it ahead for meal prep or cooking up a fresh batch any day of the week, this creamy porridge is sure to be a family favorite.
I used steel-cut oats for my recipe, but if you want another option, cracked einkorn porridge is an ancient grain that makes such a good porridge.
What are steel-cut oats?
Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats that have been chopped into small pieces rather than rolled or flattened. They have a hearty, chewy texture and take longer to cook than rolled oats, resulting in a creamy yet slightly firm consistency. Their rich, nutty flavor makes them a great choice for porridge and other warm breakfast dishes.
Ingredients
- Steel-cut oats- regular oats are ok too, but they don’t have that chewy texture I love.
- Milk- I used regular milk, but you could also use plant-based milk too.
- Salt- it only takes a touch, but will enhance all the flavors in this dish.
- Cinnamon- the porridge is cooked with it and so are the apples.
- Apples- my favorite in this recipe are Honeycrisp or Grannysmith.
- Butter- adds that rich buttery flavor and a creaminess to the apples.
- Vanilla- like the salt, we only add a touch, but it won’t be the same without it.
- Pecans- optional.
- Maple syrup- for a sweetener in the oats.
- Brown sugar- to caramelize the apples.
How to make
Bring the water to a boil then add salt and steel-cut oats. Turn the cooktop to low and cook for about 15 minutes. While the oats are cooking, start the apples.
Add the butter to the pan and let it melt over medium-low heat. To this, add the brown sugar and let this cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat and add the apple slices, cinnamon, and pinch of salt to the butter/sugar mixture. Let this cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender, but not mushy. Be sure to mix this occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Mix gently to combine.
The apples and oatmeal should be done about the same time. It is time to serve. Ladle the oats into your serving bowl, then top with the cinnamon apples. If you are using pecans, sprinkle them over the top. If you want the oats a little sweeter, drizzle lightly with pure maple syrup.
How to store the oatmeal
If you are using this recipe for meal prep, let me teach you how to store it.
- Refrigerate: Let the oatmeal cool, then divide it into airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers or silicone muffin trays, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water, stirring until creamy. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Store Toppings Separately: Keep the cinnamon apples in a separate container to maintain their texture and add them after reheating.
Creamy Apple Cinnamon Porridge
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup half and half
Cinnamon apples
- 3 cups peeled cored, sliced apples
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil then add salt, cinnamon, and steel-cut oats. Turn the cooktop to low and cook for about 15 minutes. Mix occasionally and add in water if needed. Add half and half for creaminess in the last 1-2 minutes. While the oats are cooking, start the apples.
- Add the butter to the pan and let it melt over medium-low heat. To this, add the brown sugar and let this cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat and add the apple slices, cinnamon, and pinch of salt to the butter/sugar mixture. Let this cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender, but not mushy. Be sure to mix this occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Mix gently to combine.
- The apples and oatmeal should be done about the same time. It is time to serve. Ladle the oats into your serving bowl, then top with the cinnamon apples. If you are using pecans, sprinkle them over the top. If you want the oats a little sweeter, drizzle lightly with pure maple syrup.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!