Warm Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal (Print Version)

Creamy oatmeal with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy pecans for a comforting and nutritious breakfast.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

→ Dairy & Liquids

02 - 2 cups milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
03 - 1/2 cup water

→ Fruit

04 - 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced

→ Nuts & Seeds

05 - 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped

→ Sweeteners & Spices

06 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Toppings

10 - Additional pecans, sliced apples, or a sprinkle of cinnamon

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine the oats, milk, water, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to mix.
02 - Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer.
03 - Add the diced apple and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes, or until the oats are creamy and the apples are tender.
04 - Stir in the maple syrup (or honey) and vanilla extract.
05 - Remove from heat and fold in half of the pecans.
06 - Divide the oatmeal between two bowls. Top with the remaining pecans and any optional toppings. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of tender cooked apples and crunchy pecans creates these perfect little moments of texture contrast that make each bite interesting.
  • On busy mornings when the world feels chaotic, this recipe centers me with its familiar rhythm of stirring and the promise of something nourishing.
02 -
  • The first time I made this, I added the maple syrup too early and it disappeared into the oats, but adding it toward the end preserves that distinct maple flavor throughout each bite.
  • I discovered that cutting the apples into different sizes creates interesting textural variety, with smaller pieces nearly melting into the oatmeal while larger chunks retain their identity.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry skillet while the oatmeal cooks, but keep a watchful eye as they go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds.
  • Adding just a tiny splash of apple cider to replace part of the water infuses the entire dish with an intensified apple essence that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient might be.

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