My Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the easy, homemade breakfast you’ll want on repeat all fall and winter. This recipe softens apples in the microwave while the oats simmer in a creamy blend of apple cider and milk. You get deep apple flavor without babysitting a skillet. It’s ready in just 20 minutes, making it a warm, spiced way to start your morning without any extra fuss.
In the fall, I go all in with apple and pumpkin desserts like my Apple Cranberry Salad and my Apple and Sausage Dressing.
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Why this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe is a Keeper
It’s a cinnamon apple oatmeal recipe that skips the fuss of babysitting a skillet. It still delivers cozy, spiced flavor in every spoonful.
ONLY USE 2-4 OF THE MOST APPLICABLE FEATURES.
- Ready in 20 Minutes: The microwave and stovetop work at the same time, so breakfast comes together fast on busy mornings.
- Deep Apple Flavor: Cooking the oats in apple cider instead of plain water adds a concentrated fruitiness competitor recipes often skip.
- Kid-friendly and Cozy: Warm spices and tender apples make this a comforting bowl the whole family will ask for again.
- Meal-prep Friendly: It reheats well, so you can make a batch ahead for easier weekday mornings.
- Serve with my: Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and my Brioche French Toast Casserole.
Can I Use a Different Type of Apple for this Oatmeal?
Yes, though firmer, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith hold their shape best during cooking. Softer apples like Red Delicious can turn mushy once they hit the microwave. That said, any apple you have on hand will still work in a pinch. If your apples are on the softer side, just cut back the microwave time by a minute so you don’t end up with applesauce.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Excellent! I hate, absolutely hate eating oatmeal but this is so enjoyable and refreshingly tasty. Thanks for a great recipe”
~ Janet
Ingredient Notes to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
A few of these ingredients do some heavy lifting, so here’s what to know before you start cooking.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Apple: Firmer varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith hold their shape best when microwaved with the lemon juice and sugar.
- Apple cider: This is the ingredient that sets this oatmeal apart from a plain oatmeal apple and cinnamon combo, adding concentrated fruity flavor you can’t get from water alone.
- Whole milk: Using whole milk alongside the cider keeps the oats rich and creamy instead of thin.
- Apple pie spice: This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice gives the oatmeal its warm, cozy flavor in just one ingredient. If you don’t have it on hand, a mix of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg works as a stand-in.
- Old fashioned oats: These hold their texture better than quick oats, giving you a heartier, chewier bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and apples.
Variations and Substitutions to Make this Recipe
This cinnamon apple oatmeal recipe is easy to adjust based on what you have in your kitchen or how you like your breakfast.
➡️ Swap the milk: Use oat milk or almond milk in place of whole milk for a dairy-free version.
➡️ Boost the protein: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or a scoop of protein powder once the oats are done cooking.
➡️ Add crunch: Top your bowl with chopped pecans or walnuts for texture against the soft apples and oats.
➡️ Skip the added sugar: Leave out the brown sugar and rely on the apple cider and apple pie spice for natural sweetness.
Kitchen Tools To Make Apple Oatmeal
You likely already have most of what you need for this one, but a few pieces make the process smoother.
- Large Saucepan: A sturdy saucepan gives the oats room to simmer without boiling over.
- Measuring Cups: Getting the milk-to-cider ratio right keeps the texture creamy instead of soupy or thick.
- Measuring Spoons: These help you nail the lemon juice, brown sugar, and spice amounts exactly.
- Cutting Board: A stable board makes dicing your apple quick and safe.
8: How to Make Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Here’s a quick look at how this apple cinnamon oatmeal comes together before you head to the full recipe card below.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Soften the diced apples in the microwave with lemon juice and brown sugar until tender.
- Simmer the oats in a mix of apple cider and whole milk on the stovetop while the apples cook.
- Stir the oats often so they cook evenly and soak up all that creamy liquid.
- Combine the warm apple mixture and apple pie spice into the finished oats off the heat.
- Serve the oatmeal right away while it’s warm and fragrant.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips for the Breakfast Recipe
A busy morning doesn’t mean skipping a warm bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal. A few small steps the night before make this recipe even faster to pull together.
➡️ Chop the apples early: I dice my apple the night before and store it in water with a splash of lemon juice so it won’t brown.
➡️ Measure your dry ingredients: I portion out the oats, salt, and apple pie spice into a small container so I can dump and go in the morning.
➡️ Use pre-made apple pie spice: I keep a batch of homemade Apple Pie Spice on hand so I never have to hunt down individual spices at 7 a.m.
➡️ Warm the cider ahead: I sometimes heat the apple cider and milk together the night before, then just reheat and add oats in the morning to save a few minutes.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
On a snowy day you can make the whole family a warm and delicious breakfast in the crock pot.
- Slow Cooker: If you love the low-and-slow route, this recipe also has a Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal version that’s perfect for a hands-off morning.
What Type of Apples work Best in this Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe?
Crisp apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and add natural sweetness without turning mushy.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
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- Storing: Let the oatmeal cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in a splash of milk or apple cider each time to restore that creamy texture, since oats thicken significantly as they sit and can turn thick or clumpy without a little extra liquid.
- Using Leftovers: Turn extra oatmeal into a new breakfast by layering it into Apple Cinnamon Muffins batter for added moisture and flavor, or swirl in a spoonful of Apple Butter for an even richer apple taste. You can also serve it alongside Cinnamon Baked Apples or a slice of Apple Crisp for a full fall-inspired brunch spread.
Expert Tips for Making Oatmeal with Cinnamon and Apples
This cozy cinnamon apple oatmeal is warm, comforting, and ready in minutes. Here are some things to remember.
➡️ Stir Often: I stir the oats every minute or so while they cook so they don’t stick or scorch on the bottom of the pan.
➡️ Dice Small: I cut my apples into small, even pieces so they soften fully in the microwave and blend into every bite.
➡️ Adjust Sweetness: I taste the oatmeal before serving and add a touch more brown sugar if my apples aren’t very sweet.
➡️ Watch the Thickness: I remove the oats from the heat while they’re still a little loose, since they thicken fast as they sit.
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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
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Ingredients
- 1 Large Apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1½ cups Whole Milk
- 1½ cups Apple Cider
- 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
- pinch Salt
- ½ teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
Instructions
- Place apples, lemon juice, and brown sugar into a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for four minutes.
- In the meantime, add cider and milk to a large saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Stir in oats and salt.
- Cook oats over medium-high heat, stirring periodically, for about 5-6 minutes, or until oats soften.
- Remove from heat, stir in Apple Pie Spice blend and warm apple mixture.
Christina’s Notes
- Cook Low: Keep the heat at medium-high instead of high so the oats simmer gently and don’t boil over the pan. Fresh Spice: Use a fresh jar of apple pie spice for the boldest cinnamon flavor, since older spices lose their punch. Store Smart: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days for the best texture. Loosen With Liquid: Add a splash of milk or apple cider when reheating so the oats loosen back up instead of staying gluey.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
So delicious breakfast idea. I made this oatmeal today and I’ll make it again.
This was so amazing! I can’t wait to make it again.
This turned out so delicious! Apple cinnamon oatmeal is a must try cold weather recipe. I’ll surely keep this amazing recipe.
Thanks a lot for this quick and easy apple cider oatmeal recipe! Will surely have this again! Loved the flavor and it tasted so delicious!
Excellent! I hate, absolutely hate eating oatmeal but this is so enjoyable and refreshingly tasty. Thanks for a great recipe
You are very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
looking good