Old fashioned rolled oats get a lot of attention. They’re breakfast basics but also cookies and crumbles! Steel cut oats have more of a porridge vibe. But Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats hit just right.
The appeal of steel cut oats, also known as Irish or pinhead oats, lies in the texture. They have a bit of chew and a springiness between your teeth, unlike the softness of rolled oats. You get that wholesome oat flavor with substance.
Steel cut oats need about 30 minutes of simmering, which might be more time than you can spare if you’re trying to beat the school bus to the corner. But those days are behind me. So I’ve got more time for oatmeal. Exciting life I lead I know!
Maybe boring, but a bowl of steel cut oats with all the toppings satisfies. Even better? Simmer some diced apple with your oats. You get that apple pie for breakfast feeling, but look ma, whole grains!
Still, toppings make all the difference for a bowl of oats. I’ve kept it simple with walnuts and a touch of maple syrup. Though some dried fruit would be nice.
Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats make for a filling breakfast that feels good and good for you. So go ahead and eat your porridge.
More Please?
Research suggests that kids eat more fruit when it’s cut up. I find it’s true at my age, too. I might ignore the apple sitting in my fruit bowl. But chop it up and throw it some oatmeal? Boom, a built-in serving of fruit.
It’s also an example of using wholesome add-ins to boost the nutrition of other foods. I think it’s a good strategy and one that I try to keep in mind when I’m cooking.
Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
EQUIPMENT
- 2 or 3 quart sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (for toasting the oats)
- 1/2 cup steel cut oats
- 2 cups water
- 1 small apple peeled, cored, diced, about 3/4 cup
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/16 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 cup chopped walnuts, for topping
- maple syrup, for topping
Instructions
Toasting the Oats
- Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add steel cut oats.
- Stir frequently for about 4 – 5 minutes until oats begin to brown in spots and smell toasty.
Simmer the Toasted Oats
- Pour water into saucepan with toasted oats.
- Add cream, apples, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Bring water to boil. Reduce heat to simmer.
- Simmer oats for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until oats are tender and liquid reduced to your liking.
- Please note the bits of cooked apple are very hot. Allow to cool sufficiently before serving.
- Serve topped with chopped walnuts. Add maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can skip toasting the oats. In this case, there is no need for the butter. Start by bringing water to a boil in the saucepan. Add steel cut oats to the saucepan along with the apple, heavy cream, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Stir well and return to boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until oats are tender and liquid reduced to your liking. Top with walnuts and maple syrup if desired.
- Omit the heavy cream if you prefer. Or use half-and-half or milk in its place. You can also replace a portion of the water with milk if you prefer a creamier bowl of oatmeal. Though the oat flavor tends to get overshadowed by the milk.
- Use a sweetener other than maple syrup if you like. When oats are done, stir in a sprinkling of brown sugar or granulated sugar to taste. Or skip the sweetener altogether.
