This Hot Buttered Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the quintessential autumn breakfast. Sweet cinnamon apples atop apple cider-infused oats. It’s hearty and sweet and totally comforting. It’s a hug in a bowl. Everything you want as the leaves turn to amber and the warmth of summer fades.

Key Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

• Coconut oil: Toasting the oats in coconut oil before adding the liquid gives them a lovely nutty flavour. Butter would absolutely work here too, in place of the coconut oil.
• Rolled oats: We’re using old-fashioned rolled oats to get a nice fluffy, flakey texture. No mushy quick oats here!
• Apple cider or apple juice: Infuses the oats with apple flavour and a hint of sweetness.
• Butter and brown sugar: Makes the sweet caramel sauce that enrobes the apples.
• Cinnamon: Brings spice and warmth to both the apples and the oats.
• Apples: I love using tart apples like Granny Smith, Sweet Tart, or Pink Lady. But, feel free to use whichever variety you like or have on hand.

How to make Hot Buttered Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This oatmeal comes together so quick, I like to make the apples first and once they’re cooking start making the oatmeal. That way they’re ready at just about the same time and the oatmeal isn’t sitting around getting cold and stodgy.

1. In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add the apples and toss to coat. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until softened.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
5. Add the oats and cook until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Add the apple cider, cinnamon, and salt. Stir briefly to combine.
7. Bring to a simmer, about 3 minutes.
8. Remove from the heat and cover. Let sit for 7 minutes.

Serve topped with hot buttered apples and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.

Spice it up!

This oatmeal is plenty delicious as it is, but if you’re looking to add a little extra spice, try replacing the cinnamon with one of these flavourful homemade spice blends: Apple Pie Spice, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Chai Spice, or Gingerbread Spice.

Looking for more sweet fall recipes? Try this Cinnamon Simple Syrup (Copycat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce) to add a little cinnamon spice to your morning latte or bedtime steamer.

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Hot Buttered Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

The perfect breakfast for a cozy fall morning. This easy stovetop oatmeal topped with sweet cinnamon apples tastes like apple pie and comes together in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 4

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Ingredients

  

Stovetop Oatmeal

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups apple cider / apple juice, or water
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Hot Buttered Apples

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Instructions

Hot Buttered Apples

• In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
• Add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
• Add the apples and toss to coat. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until softened, tossing a few times throughout. While the apples cook, make the oatmeal.

Stovetop Oatmeal

• In a medium saucepan, melt coconut oil over medium heat.
• Add the oats and cook until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the apple cider / apple juice, cinnamon, and salt. Stir briefly to combine.
• Bring to a simmer, about 3 minutes. You want the cider to be bubbling rapidly around the edges and a few inches towards the center of the pot.
• Remove from the heat and cover. Let sit for 7 minutes. The oats are done when they appear slightly dry and flakey on top with very little moisture remaining on the bottom. If they're too wet, allow them to rest for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Serve topped with hot buttered apples and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe adapted from Cookie + Kate.