Apple pie oatmeal makes breakfast feel like dessert but is uber healthy, gluten-free, refined-sugar free and vegan. Made with diced apples sauteed in coconut oil with spices served sprinkled with chopped walnuts, a drizzle of maple syrup and lemon zest. A warm and comforting breakfast.
Oatmeal – love it or hate it? I feel like people generally feel very strongly towards oatmeal. I used to be in the hater category, until suddenly I was finally open to it.
Growing up I could smell the aroma of oatmeal cooking on the stovetop rooms away, either my mom making it for my dad or my grandmother making some for herself. To this day the smell of oatmeal instantly transports me back to childhood, even if, during those days I would scrunch up my nose and refuse to even give oatmeal a shot. The way my mom and grandmother made oatmeal though was just plain oats cooked in water or milk. Boring. Flavorless. Not excited.
That’s not the way I make my oatmeal today. It needs to be dressed up – like in this apple pie oatmeal recipe.
The star ingredients include:
- chopped apples
- gluten free whole oats
- spices including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg
- coconut oil
- flax seeds
- walnuts, maple syrup & lemon zest for serving
Now doesn’t apple pie oatmeal sound a whole lot more excited than plain oatmeal?
To add some extra flavor to the apples what I do first is sautee them in a bit of coconut oil, adding in the spices after a couple minutes. This allows the apples to caramelize and infuse the whole dish with more flavor.
Then the water gets added and once that comes to a boil the oats themselves. I personally prefer to cook my oats in water, but you could use a non dairy milk of choice instead. I find it makes the oatmeal a bit too rich with all that milk, but I’ll leave that up to you.
Once the oats are cooked through mix in the flax seeds for a hidden superfood touch, and serve the apple pie oatmal topped with crushed walnuts, a drizzle of maple syrup and some lemon zest. The walnuts add a contrasting crunch, the maple syrup a hint of sweetness and the lemon zest some true fresh flavors.
Since I cannot start my day without salt I also add just a pinch of salt on top. That slightly sweet and salty combo in the oatmeal is my favorite. This apple pie oatmeal recipe makes you feel like you are basically starting your day with dessert. Yet a healthy guilt free one. It’s so warm and comforting, simply perfect for a cold winter morning. Apples and walnuts together always make for a great combo!
What’s your favorite way to make oatmeal? I must say I’m currently hooked on this apple pie oatmeal and I’ve made this at least a dozen times, both for myself and for my dad.
To save some time every morning I normally make a big batch of this apple pie oatmeal, so that I can simply quickly heat it up the following two days.
If you’re looking for a more chocolate based oatmeal breakfast be sure to try my stewed apple walnut chocolate oatmeal.
Apple pie oatmeal makes breakfast feel like dessert but is uber healthy, gluten-free, refined-sugar free and vegan. Made with diced apples sauteed in coconut oil with spices served sprinkled with chopped walnuts, a drizzle of maple syrup and lemon zest. A warm and comforting breakfast.
- 1.5 cups apple chopped
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup gluten free oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup
- 6 tablespoons walnuts chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
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Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a pot and add apples. Cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add spices, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
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Add water, bring to a boil and add oats. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until oats are cooked through. Add flaxseeds and mix.
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Serve topped with walnuts, maple syrup and lemon zest.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That looks and sounds heavenly. I am trying that this weekend!
Traci says
I make oatmeal every week, and I think I’d love this creation. So easy, healthy, and beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Vicky says
Thanks! One of my new favorites!
Katie D says
Perfect slightly sweet breakfast option! It sounds delicious
Vicky says
Thanks!
Joyce says
Such a simple and comforting breakfast recipe with my fave spices! Make once eat forever right? ๐
Vicky says
Exactly!
Alicia Taylor says
My husband and I love oatmeal and eat it several times a week. He’ll love this version! I love all the apples! I think I will try it with pecans instead of Walnuts. We can pick them up off the ground here.
Vicky says
Will be delicious with pecans too!