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Thick, creamy, and topped with a caramelized apple topping, this apple pie oatmeal recipe is one of my all-time favorite ways to start the day. Make it in the microwave, stovetop, OR slow cooker!
Craving more oatmeal recipes? Try my protein oatmeal, chocolate baked oats, or blueberry oatmeal.
We never tire of eating oatmeal in my house. It’s the perfect quick breakfast that keeps me full for hours, and it’s endlessly customizable (hello, chocolate oatmeal and cinnamon roll oatmeal!).
For this recipe, I took inspiration from my healthy apple pie recipe. With a handful of simple ingredients, this oatmeal is creamy, full of warming spices, and topped with a sticky apple topping.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Takes just like apple pie. If you love apple pie as much as I do, then I can guarantee you’ll love this easy oatmeal recipe.
- Super healthy. The oats and apples make a fiber-packed breakfast, and I even add some protein powder for an extra protein boost.
- Quick and easy. As much as I love overnight oats, I love warm, steamy oats just as much. This one-pot oatmeal recipe makes ultra-thick, buttery oats that taste as if they’ve been simmering away for hours.
- Multiple cooking methods. I prefer the stovetop method personally, but I also included both slow cooker and microwave instructions.
Ingredients needed
- Rolled oats. AKA old-fashioned oats. Use gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Salt. Just a pinch brings out the sweetness of the oats.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk to keep this oatmeal vegan, but any milk will work.
- Apple pie spice. If you don’t have an apple spice blend, just use a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Sugar. I used brown sugar, but any type of sugar will do, including liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
- Coconut flour. My secret ingredient! Coconut flour gives the oatmeal extra thickness.
- Protein powder. Optional, but gives a huge protein punch to them!
For the apple topping
- Apple. I used Honeycrisp apples because that was what I had on hand, but you can use any type of apples. For a more tart topping, I suggest Granny Smith apples.
- Cinnamon. The flavor shines through, especially when mixed with the warm apples.
- Brown sugar. Adds extra sweetness.
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Combine ingredients. In a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, combine the oats, salt, cinnamon, sugar, and milk. Simmer on medium heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the protein powder and stir well. Add the coconut flour and continue stirring until a very thick batter is formed. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
Step 2- Make the apple topping. In a microwave-safe bowl or in a small saucepan, heat the apple with the spices and sugar until caramelized. Remove from heat or microwave and top your oatmeal with it.
How to make this in the slow cooker
If you prefer to make slow-cooker apple pie oatmeal, you certainly can. Simply add your oatmeal ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine, then let it cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 1 hour. Give it a stir, add your apple topping, and enjoy!
Arman’s recipe tips and variations
- Choose the best protein powder. I prefer casein and brown rice protein over other protein powders when it comes to baking. I find they absorb moisture the best and don’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Taste as you go. And adjust any sweeteners or spices as needed.
- Add mix-ins. Like peanut butter, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or dried apple chips.
- Switch up the toppings. Once you’ve microwaved the apple topping, fold in some toasted walnuts, pecans, or healthy granola for an added crunch factor.
Storage instructions
To store: If you prepare multiple batches of this oatmeal, store it in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week. You will need to thin it out with extra milk before reheating.
To freeze: Place single portions of the oatmeal in freezer friendly containers. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Either stovetop or in the microwave. Be sure to add extra milk, as the oatmeal will have thickened up considerably.
More oatmeal recipes to try
Apple Pie Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats gluten free, if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 2 cups milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup protein powder optional
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine the rolled oats, salt, cinnamon, sweetener, and milk of choice. Simmer on medium heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. Once thick, add the protein powder and mix very well. Add the coconut flour and continue stirring until a very thick batter is formed. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
- In a microwave safe bowl or in a small saucepan, heat the apple with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweetener until caramelized. Remove from heat or microwave and top your oatmeal with it.
I made this with canned pineapple instead and it was so good. It literally smelled and tasted like French toast! (no kidding, huh?) My family gave it 4 stars out of 5, which is saying a lot because they don’t like oatmeal at all. Definitely a keeper!
Oh yum!!! What a fantastic addition- Thanks so much for the feedback and stoked the family enjoyed it!
This might be a stupid question, but when you carmelize the apple on the stove/in the microwave, do you add water to it or just use the apple, cinnamon and nutmeg? I’m wondering if it will burn or not.
Hi Samantha- I totally forgot to include that! Add a dash of water 🙂
Hello! I’ve included this recipe in my list of oat-tactic recipes to check out in my blog’s Saturday round-up. Don’t worry: it’s simply a link that takes my readers to your fantastic blog. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Lauren / The Oatmeal Artist
Hey Lauren! Thanks so much for sharing- I appreciate it 🙂
Cheers,
Arman
You had me at Apple. And fall.
You had me at Wedding….cake.
The texture of this oatmeal is perfection! And now you have me so excited for fall – I want to make this for breakfast tomorrow!!
Please do, Kate 🙂
I love every thing about this breakfast, and I am SO ready for all the fall inspired foods
Thanks so much, Heather 🙂
Okay ALL my favorite things combined into one epic breakfast — this recipe is AWESOME! And I’m all about using apples right now – I have about a billion. So definitely happening soon. Love this!
Chelsea…I just saw a montage of yours on Instagram. Looks like someone has Fall on their mind 😀
It pains me greatly to say that I won’t be able to meet up with you before going back to Boston, BUT when we do reunite, we must have breakfast together. Pancakes, French toast, waffles, balls, cold chicken, guatever.
Does Paula Deen on toast mean butter on toast, or….?
You are such a mean mean girl.
All oatmeal, porridge, granola bars, parfaits and warm omelets remind me of autumn! I will miss my smoothie bowls :'( what a great recipe! I’ve made French Toast oatmeal but never with apples–have to try that and I bet it will be amazing!
Please do, Cassie!
Ah, you finally get to make good in the right season to eat it…well, sortof. I mean it’s still hotter than the Devil out there, and we’re thinking about delicious Fall food. Err Autumn. Err Fall. Heck, who cares what you call out or how hot it is out there…these flavors are right up my alley! Oh, and I love that you called Paula Deen a goose. 🙂
Calling the P-Dawg a goose was one of my kinder terms 😉
I shall touch base in a few weeks when your crying with snow 😀
That is some gorgeous oatmeal for “fall”. I love creating recipes around the seasons too.
Right? I can’t wait to see your creations, Amy- They always leave me drooling!
Dear Arman, what a great way to get all those flavors and nutrition in. I love oatmeal and always chop an apple in it. I’m going to have to take it a step further and give this a go. Have a wonderful day my friend, Catherine
Please do, Catherine 🙂
It’s always between 60-70 F here. I only know what season it is from what bloggers are posting… and now I don’t have you tripping me up with southern hemisphere seasons!! 🙁
Haha right? Thanks Cassie!
I think you should stick with the word autumn and confuse people – or they will just think you are being very posh! haha!
I am already picking up the local lingo over here – well more the abreviations! I love the fact that the Aussies shorten everything.
Right? You poor thing, the lingo is cray!
I loooooove apple oatmeal in the fall. I feel like summer has just flown by though so I refuse to buy apples (even though they’re already at the farmers market)and any other fall foods until at least September!
Well aren’t you a princess. Just go can yourself.
I’ve never seen and oatmeal recipe with egg in it. Interesting! I love apple pie so I love this oatmeal recipe. I also like Paula Deen and miss her show. People change, and everyone has said something in their past that they regret.
It provides a really cake-like texture, even with the flax egg route! 🙂
French toast? Not so much my thing. Apple Pie Oatmeal? Why, yes, we’re talking now. Is Paula Deen jealous she didn’t invent this yet??
As for foods – and yes, I consider this a breakfast food – that I associate with autumn: hokkaido/kabocha squash. No second thoughts needed.
Nice! those are both delicious!
The best fall food is squash. Especially when it is in pie form. Don’t knock it till you try it 😎 I also love the cinnamon and nutmeg combo. Classic. Paula Deen has not been too popular here in the States for her racist comments. I probably would scrape her off the toast and spread some jam on it instead.
I need to try the pie route again!
I love Fall Food, and this oatmeal will be perfect on a chilly morning — or for dessert! 🙂
Dessert? This is why we’re friends 😀
Bring on the fall foods! Actually, I’ve had pumpkin, apples, and caramel on the brain for at -least- a month now. So you can imagine that I busted out the happy dance when I saw yellow leaves on the trees the other day. I’d bust out another dance if you put a bowl of this in front of me. Pls & thx.
LOL. REALLY
And now I want apple pie stuffed French toast, maybe with some ricotta or goat cheese….mmm, cheese. Oops, sorry I side tracked myself. What can I say? It happens.
Welcome to Fall. Soon anyway.
P.S. At the farmers market today, there were peaches and apples on the same table. I went for the peaches because pretty soon I won’t be able to get them. You know me, I’m going to hang onto summer as long as possible. Then I’ll be dragged kicking and screaming into Fall.
OH YES. Ricotta. But goat…maybe on the side.
Well that just sounds amazing, Arman! Pinning now.
Thanks so much, Linda 🙂
Can’t wait for fall so I can eat this daily 🙂 I am always up for fun flavors of oatmeal!
YES! thanks so much!
Yum! Love this recipe. You know I love my oatmeal and my apples! I love warming apples with cinnamon (and then adding peanut butter to get it all melty) which is also great in oatmeal.
YES! I have a recipe coming up that you’ll love then!