Cinnamon Apple Oats
The perfect addition to an autumn oatmeal bowl to add a little extra texture and flavor to your oats! You can also make these cinnamon apples as a quick snack, dessert, or topping to a yogurt bowl. There are 2 recipes below: 1) Cinnamon apples on the stove; 2) Cinnamon apples in the microwave.
Autumn is Apple Season
Head to your local farmer’s market to pick up some fresh apples! This gives you a chance to support local farmers and to eat seasonal fruits when they’re at their most nutrient dense :)
This recipe is not limited to the fall, though! Whip up some cinnamon apples in the winter, spring, or summer to add some * gourmet * feels to your classic morning oats
1) How to cook oats in the microwave
Cooking oats in the microwave is quick and easy - just what you need in a morning breakfast. Simply use a 2:1 ratio of liquid-to-oats. For example, 1/2 cup of oats needs 1 cup of liquid to cook. You can use water or any milk of choice here. I like to microwave for 1 minute, then stir in my spices, and cook for 1 more minute.
2) How to cook oats on the stove
Use a 2:1 ratio of liquid-to-oats (i.e. 1/2 cup oats to 1 cup liquid). Heat a small saucepan over medium heat with your liquid of choice (water, milk, etc) and pinch of salt until it boils. Add in your oats and reduce the heat to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 10-20min, keeping an eye on the mixture until it’s the consistency you want. Cover with a lid and remove from the heat, letting it sit for a few minutes (it will continue to absorb some liquid here, so you might want to take it off the heat right before it reaches the consistency you want).
What to do if my oats are too liquidy?
If your oats are too runny, you can either cook them for an extra 30 seconds or add something to absorb the liquid, like protein powder, peanut butter powder, or coconut flour.
What to do if my oats are too dry?
If your oats are too dry, stir in a little extra liquid (about 1 Tbsp at a time) to soften them up. You can also add frozen fruit, which will bring in extra moisture as it melts in the warm oats.
Cinnamon Apple Oats (GF, DF)
~ Makes 1 bowl ~
Ingredients:
1 Small apple, chopped into pieces (I leave the skin on for added fiber)
1/2 cup Rolled oats (make sure these are certified gluten-free if needed)
1 cup Liquid (water or milk of choice)
1/2 serving of Protein powder (I used Legion Plant Protein in Vanilla flavor for this recipe - use code “NickiP” to save 20%!)
Spices: Cinnamon (or apple pie spice), Salt
1/4 cup Grated Zucchini (OPTIONAL - I like adding for extra volume & fiber)
Toppings
1 Tbsp Peanut butter or nut butter of choice
2 Tbsp Granola (I used Love Crunch Apple Chia Crumble)
1a) Stovetop Cinnamon Apples:
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add in chopped apple with spices and a splash of water. Cover and let cook while you cook your oats. Keep stirring your apples until they are the texture you want (I like mine softer).
1b) Microwave Cinnamon Apples:
Throw chopped apple in a microwave-safe bowl and mix with cinnamon. Cook for 45sec to 1min until soft.
2) Oats:
You can cook your oats in the microwave or on the stove. Mix oats with zucchini (if using) & liquid. Microwave for 1min, then stir in protein powder & spices. Cook for another minute. Add cinnamon apples & the rest of your toppings. Enjoy!
Substitutions:
Apples - You can sub for chopped pears, peaches, or banana! (Use a skillet for the banana instead of a pot so they caramelize).
Protein powder - You can use collagen peptides here, but you may find you need a bit less liquid than with the protein powder.
Granola - Try chopped nuts if you’re not using nut butter as a topping. You can also add hemp seeds or chia seeds.
Cinnamon Apple Oats (GF, DF)
Ingredients
What to do
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add in chopped apple with spices and a splash of water. Cover and let cook while you cook your oats. Keep stirring your apples until they are the texture you want (I like mine softer).
- Throw chopped apple in a microwave-safe bowl and mix with cinnamon. Cook for 45sec to 1min until soft.
- (Microwave version) Mix oats with zucchini (if using) & liquid. Microwave for 1min, then stir in protein powder & spices. Cook for another minute. Add cinnamon apples & the rest of your toppings.
- (Stovetop version) Heat a small saucepan over medium heat with your liquid of choice (water, milk, etc) and pinch of salt until it boils. Add in your oats & zucchini (if using) and reduce the heat to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 10-20min, keeping an eye on the mixture until it’s the consistency you want. Cover with a lid and remove from the heat, letting it sit for a few minutes (it will continue to absorb some liquid here, so you might want to take it off the heat right before it reaches the consistency you want).
Tips:
Substitutions:
Apples - You can sub for chopped pears, peaches, or banana! (Use a skillet for the banana instead of a pot so they caramelize).
Protein powder - You can use collagen peptides here, but you may find you need a bit less liquid than with the protein powder.
Granola - Try chopped nuts if you’re not using nut butter as a topping. You can also add hemp seeds or chia seeds.
