Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats

Start your mornings off with a cozy, fall-inspired vegan breakfast! Apple cinnamon steel-cut oats bring the warm flavors of cinnamon, apples, and a hint of maple syrup right to your bowl. It’s hearty, healthy, and tastes like dessert for breakfast—without the guilt! Perfect for those chilly mornings when you need something nourishing and comforting.

I’m the unofficial spokesperson for oats—vegan high-protein pumpkin oats, vegan banana oat pancakes, peanut butter and jelly overnight oats, baked vegan banana oat casserole, you name it, I’ve oat-ed it.

Let me introduce you to my latest steel-cut oat breakfast: Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats. While it could easily be called “Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oats” thanks to the blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice that bring those cozy fall flavors, I went with “Apple Cinnamon” because the cinnamon truly steals the spotlight and gives it that bold, warming flavor that stands out in every bite.

This healthy vegan breakfast is warm and perfect for chilly mornings when you need something wholesome to keep you going. Steel-cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats but come out chewy and creamy. They are well worth the wait, and they store well for meal prep.

Simple, cozy, and ridiculously delicious—what’s not to love? Bonus - my picky eaters love it.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Warm & Cozy Vibes: It's a warm and delicious breakfast during the fall and winter.
• Nourishing: With fiber, protein, and healthy carbs, this healthy breakfast will keep you full and energized for hours.
• Meal Prep Magic: Make a big batch and reheat it all week for easy, fuss-free mornings.
• Versatile: Go wild with your favorite toppings! Variety of nuts or a sprinkle of chia seeds are great additions.
• Kid-Friendly: Your pickiest eaters might even love the combo of apples and the cinnamon in the apple spice with a hint of sweetness.

Recipe Ingredients

Grab these ingredients and prepare for your vegan steel-cut oats with ease. See the recipe card for quantities.

Ingredient Notes

• Non-Dairy Milk: Oat milk is great for its creaminess, but if you want to reduce calories, use almond or soy milk. You can also use water.
• Apples: You’ll want apples that hold their shape and add a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. Some options are Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Braeburn.
• Nuts: Pick your favorite. Walnuts and pecans work well with the other flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar.
• Apple Pie Spice: Apple pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Substitute with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon each of nutmeg and allspice.

What is the Difference Between Steel-Cut and Rolled Oats?

The main difference between steel-cut oats and rolled oats is in their processing and texture.

• Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats that have been chopped into small, coarse pieces. They have a chewy texture and take longer to cook, around 20-30 minutes.

• Rolled oats are steamed and flattened, making them softer and quicker to cook, usually within 5-10 minutes. Their texture is creamier and less chewy compared to steel-cut oats.

The processing method affects not only texture and cooking time but also how each type of oat impacts digestion and blood sugar levels. Steel-cut oats are less processed, which means they may digest more slowly, leading to a steadier release of energy. They keep me full all morning and well into the afternoon.

How To Make Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

Here's what you'll do to make this delicious steel-cut oatmeal with apples and cinnamon.

Step 1: Cook the oats - In a medium saucepan, bring plant-based milk to a boil, then add steel-cut oats and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes until tender.

Step 2: Add apples and spices - Halfway through cooking, when the oats are nearly done, stir in the grated apple, apple pie spices, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Cook for the remaining time.

Step 3: Caramelize the Apples - While the oats cook, add the lemon-coated diced apples and brown sugar to a hot pan and cook for 5-8 minutes until the apples are as tender as you want them.

Step 4: Sweeten More and Serve - The caramelized apples bring a lot of sweetness, but if you’re like me and have a bit of a sweet tooth, feel free to add more! Spoon the oats into bowls, top them with the cooked apples, an extra sprinkle of cinnamon for good measure, and some nuts for that "crunchy on top, cozy underneath" vibe.

Top Tips For Perfect Steel-Cut Oats

• Follow the instructions on your specific steel-cut oats package for the correct liquid-to-oat ratio, as it can vary between different brands.
• Cook Time Varies: Steel-cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats, but the extra time is worth it. From my experience, they often need to simmer a bit longer than the directions on the package suggest, so be sure to check for the right consistency before serving.
• The Oats Thicken as They Sit: With that said, as your oatmeal cools, it thickens, so keep that in mind. Add a splash of plant-based milk to loosen it back up when serving, if necessary.
• Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you’re avoiding added sugars, the apples might be sweet enough. If not, start with a little maple syrup and add more to your liking.
• For an even healthier version, substitute the brown sugar in the caramelized apples for more natural options like maple syrup or coconut sugar.

Storage and Reheating

• Storage: Pop your cinnamon oats into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can store them together with the caramelized apples or separately. That’s five delicious mornings of cozy breakfast vibes without lifting a finger.
• Reheating: When you’re ready to relive the magic, scoop the oats into a bowl, add a splash of non-dairy milk, and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir well, and voila! It’s like the first time all over again. Toss in a few extra apple slices or sprinkle more cinnamon on top to keep things fresh.
• Freeze: Freeze portions in individual containers, then reheat in the microwave with a splash of plant-based milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Vegan Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

What did you think?

Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

• Author: Regi Pearce
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 cups 1x
• Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Start your mornings off with a cozy, fall-inspired breakfast! Apple cinnamon steel-cut oats bring the warm flavors of cinnamon, apples, and a hint of maple syrup right to your bowl. It’s hearty, healthy, and tastes like dessert for breakfast—without the guilt! Perfect for those chilly mornings when you need something nourishing and comforting.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 3 cups plant-based milk* (this may vary)
• pinch of salt
• 2 apples (one shredded, one diced for caramelizing)
• 1 ½ teaspoons of apple pie spice**
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar (for caramelizing apples)
• ¼ cup of chopped nuts
• optional toppings - dried cranberries and a drizzle of maple syrup

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cook the Oats: In a medium saucepan, bring water (or plant-based milk) to a boil. Add the steel-cut oats and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until the oats are tender.
2. Add Shredded Apples: When the oats are halfway cooked (about 15 minutes in), stir in the shredded apple, apple pie spice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Continue cooking until the oats are fully tender and the shredded apple has melted into the oats, about 10-15 more minutes.
3. Caramelize the Apple Slices: While the oats cook, chop the apple and toss with lemon juice. Then, cook in a small skillet with brown sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 5-8 minutes until soft, browned, and coated in a sticky syrup.
4. Sweeten and Serve: If you prefer sweeter oatmeal, stir in 2 more tablespoons of maple syrup. Spoon the oats into bowls and top with the caramelized apples, chopped nuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
5. Optional: Add dried cranberries or a drizzle of extra maple syrup for a special finish.

Notes

*Follow the instructions on your specific steel-cut oats package for the correct liquid-to-oat ratio, as it can vary between different brands.

**If you don't have apple pie spice, sub with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of allspice.

You’ll want apples that hold their shape and add a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. Some options are Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Braeburn.

Steel-cut oats take time - simmer until tender for the best texture - it may take more time than the directions on the packaging. I find that it usually does.

Oatmeal thickens as it cools, so keep that in mind when deciding if they are done cooking.

Use any nut you prefer, like chopped walnuts or pecans.

Nutritional information is only an estimation.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: breakfast
• Method: stove-top
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 204
• Sugar: 20.1 g
• Sodium: 725.1 mg
• Fat: 3.8 g
• Carbohydrates: 38.9 g
• Protein: 4.8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Craving More Nuts & Twigs?