The Perfect Healthy and Easy Winter Breakfast – Apples and Oats

Now that we’re in January, it feels like we’re back to normal again – the holiday excitement has subsided and the seemingly endless supply of baked goods are almost depleted. However, not quite everything is back to normal. Five extra pounds that weren’t there before now hugs my midsection stubbornly unwilling to disappear. Now that the leftovers mom sent me home with are all gone, its time to get back to a normal, healthy eating pattern. I started whipping up this savory and sweet oatmeal and apple breakfast that is perfect for these chilly winter months and will leave you satisficed throughout the day. I actually made this a few times for mom and dad while I was visiting for the holiday and they loved it so much they started requesting it the rest of the time I was there. I never thought I would get them away from their super sugary instant oat packets but they loved it and its so much healthier for you. This page has affiliate links and if you purchase something from this page I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. I donate 5% of this blog’s revenue to the Environmental Defense Fund, so you help donate to a great cause if you click on any affiliate links or ads that may be on this page!

I love this meal so much, not only because it tasty and hearty, but also because it takes virtually no effort to put together. I use rough measurements and tend to eyeball the ingredients and it turns out delicious every time. You can’t mess it up!

The measurements I have here is for about two to three people, but feel free to revise this as you need. I first begin by boiling about a cup and a half of water while I start cutting up the apples. I like to make little bite sized cubes and I like a lot of apple pieces, so for three or four people I’d use between two and three apples depending on the apples’ sizes.

Once your water is boiling, toss the cubed apples in along with the syrup, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, sugar and flour. If you don’t have ginger, allspice, or nutmeg, that’s ok! I happen to have it in my pantry so they add some dimension to the flavors, but it will still be good with just cinnamon if that’s all you have. Allow the apples to soften and cook down, about 30 minutes. I like to add the flour because it makes the apple mixture a bit thicker and more syrupy. This mixture may seem like too much water, but you’re going to need the water for the oats, as they soak up quite a bit of liquid. Once I add the apples, and make sure they are on a low simmer, I let them cook and go back to work or clean the kitchen, just make sure you’re watching nearby and give them a quick stir now and then.

After the apples cooked for at least thirty minutes you can add your oats and raisins if you desire. I use old fashioned oats, so just be mindful of the required cook time depending on the oats you use. Old Fashioned oats only need about five minutes to cook, if you use steel cut oats it will probably require 20-30 minutes and a bit more water as it continues to evaporate out. Just make sure that as the oats cook, that you watch your liquid, you don’t want the oats to stick at the bottom, so if it seems to be drying up you can continue to add more water.

After the oats are cooked, you’re done! Divide into bowls, top with granola, chopped walnuts or sliced or slivered almonds if you choose, and you’re in for a healthy hearty, tasty breakfast! If you want to add some nutrition, feel free to toss in chia seeds or flax seeds when you start cooking your apples. This recipe is so simple, you can add or take away just about anything. Try this with different fruits like peaches, or even figs, or dates, really, just about anything goes on this one!

Bonus idea: try this at night for dessert with a scoop of ice cream!

Did you make this recipe? How did it come? Please leave a comment and let me know if you did anything different I’d love to hear from you!