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! Start your mornings off with this cozy, fall-inspired vegan breakfast!
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.
While this 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 Easy Caramelized Apples truly steal the spotlight and give it that bold, warming flavor that stands out in every bite.
Simple, cozy, and ridiculously delicious—what’s not to love? Bonus - my picky eaters love it.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Recipe Ingredients
- What is the Difference Between Steel-Cut and Rolled Oats?
- Additions and Variations
- How To Make Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
- Top Tips For Perfect Steel-Cut Oats
- Storage and Reheating
- Recipe FAQS
- More Vegan Oat Recipes You'll Love
- Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats
- Comments
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for those chilly mornings when you need something nourishing and comforting.
- With fiber, protein, and healthy carbs, this healthy breakfast will keep you full and energized for hours.
- Make a big batch and reheat it all week for easy, fuss-free mornings—just like I do with my Biscoff Baked Oats for a cozy, delicious start to the day!
- 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.
- 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. Steel-cut oats digest more slowly due to minimal processing, offering steady energy that keeps me full all morning and into the afternoon.
Rolled oats are steamed and flattened for quicker cooking (5-10 minutes) with a creamy texture that’s less chewy than steel-cut oats. They’re perfect for making oat flour, a key ingredient in these vegan protein waffles.
Additions and Variations
- Add chia seeds or hemp hearts.
- Take your bowl to the next level with a drizzle of maple syrup or a spoonful of almond butter. Double-drizzle both for bonus points.
- Add a dash of cinnamon for delicious cinnamon steel-cut oats.
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. See the recipe card for more details.
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
- 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.
- When you’re ready to eat, 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 portions in individual containers, then reheat in the microwave with a splash of plant-based milk.
Recipe FAQS
Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats that have been chopped into small, coarse pieces, giving them a chewy texture and longer cooking time compared to rolled or instant oats.
Skip the brown sugar and rely on the apples' natural sweetness or use coconut sugar. You can also add a few dried cranberries for an extra sweet touch without adding sugar.
Apple cinnamon steel-cut oats are naturally gluten-free, but to ensure no cross-contamination, look for oats labeled as certified gluten-free.
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.
Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 3 cups plant-based milk oat, almond, or soy
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 apples one shredded and one diced for caramelizing
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup optional
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar; for caramelizing apples
- ¼ cup chopped nuts
- optional toppings - dried cranberries and a drizzle of maple syrup
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Optional: Add dried cranberries or a drizzle of extra maple syrup for a special finish.
Robert says
Apples and fall go together so well that I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the idea.
Regi Pearce says
Hope you do! Thanks for the comment.