If you’re a fan of the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie and want to start your day with a wholesome and nutritious breakfast, then you’re in for a treat! Our Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats recipe combines the heartiness of steel-cut oats with the sweetness of apples and the aromatic spices reminiscent of a classic apple pie. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients to fuel your day. So, let’s dive into how to make this delectable and healthy breakfast option.
Is it really November already?! Yikes… time is flying by.
Before getting to the recipe post, I wanted to acknowledge the millions of people affected by Hurricane Sandy. We were lucky enough to emerge with only a bunch of leaves + tree limbs scattered throughout our yard and a mere hour without electricity on Monday, but otherwise unscathed. I’m not sure if footage of the devastation in places such as NYC and New Jersey is being broadcast where you live, but it is estimated that repair efforts will be in the billions.
Even when a fir tree impaled itself in our roof during Hurricane Ike when we lived in Houston – and we had to replace an entire corner of our newly purchased house – neither of us was hurt nor did we lose any valuable items. I feel extremely lucky to have lived through two horrendous hurricanes without any injuries and with minimal personal losses.
My thoughts continue to be with those struggling through house repairs, lack of transportation, and power outages.
If I could deliver a steaming bowl of this comforting oatmeal to all of those people, I would!
My typical morning oatmeal is comprised of old-fashioned rolled oats, banana slices, water, milk, ground cinnamon, and oftentimes pumpkin puree + dried cranberries… all topped off with a generous spoonful of peanut or almond butter. This breakfast is ready in about 5 minutes, serves 1, and it’s perfect for a busy morning.
Every once in a while, however, it’s nice to make a big pot of steel cut oats while leisurely watching the morning news, reading the paper, or catching up on blog reading.
Yes, steel cut oats take a considerably longer time to cook than the old-fashioned variety, but the time is well worth it as you are rewarded with super chewy – but still creamy – oatmeal.
In this version, apples play three starring roles in the form of cider, chopped pieces, and caramelized slices. Warm autumnal spices join the party to clinch the deal and truly make this oatmeal taste like apple pie.
Every bite is full of apple-y flavor thanks to the cider and tender chopped pieces that cook right along with the oats, but the really special component is the caramelized slices that adorn the top. A dab of butter, a bit of maple syrup, and a few shakes of cinnamon transform apple slices into a decadent-tasting pie filling that is so delicious, I wouldn’t blame you if you scarfed it down before even getting to the oatmeal.
Yep, it’s that good!
Even if you’re feeding only yourself with this recipe, I encourage you to make the entire batch of 4 servings as the oatmeal actually reheats very well with a few additional splashes of milk.
| Name | Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Fusion |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Yield | Approximately 4 cups |
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, preferably organic, one finely chopped and one thinly sliced
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice, preferably organic
- 1 cup milk (I used skim), preferably organic
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- a few shakes of ground cinnamon
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 270 calories
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Dietary Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 18g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Sodium: 180mg
Potassium: 210mg
Vitamin A: 6%
Vitamin C: 8%
Calcium: 20%
Iron: 6%
Instructions
Prepare the Steel Cut Oats
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Stir in the steel-cut oats and a pinch of salt.
Reduce the heat to low and let the oats simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they reach your desired level of tenderness and thickness.
Stir in the almond milk and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Apple Pie Topping
In a separate skillet or pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
Add the diced apples and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
Sprinkle brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg over the apples. Stir to coat the apples evenly with the spices and sugar.
Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the apples are tender and caramelized.
Stir in the vanilla extract and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
Combine and Serve
Divide the cooked steel-cut oats into serving bowls.
Top the oats with the apple pie topping, ensuring each serving gets a generous spoonful of the spiced apples.
For added texture and flavor, you can sprinkle some chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.
