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This apple cinnamon oatmeal features tender, gooey apples cooked in a salted caramel-like sauce and served over warm, creamy cinnamon oatmeal! A healthy and warming breakfast that’s super simple, yet incredibly delicious!
Introducing my go-to breakfast during the colder days: apple oatmeal! But not any oatmeal, one that comes with slightly caramelized apples that are cinnamony, buttery, and oh-so-gooey. The oatmeal itself is not left behind, being naturally sweetened with applesauce and a generous pinch of cinnamon. I’ve made this recipe over and over again over the years, and it never disappoints!
If you ever feel in need of a warming bowl of oatmeal that’s both fruity and cozy, you’re going to love this one!
Looking for more oat recipes? Check out my strawberry overnight oats, chai-spiced oats, or these unique Ferrero Rocher overnight oats!
⭐️ What Makes It So Irresistible
- Gooey caramel apples. In this recipe, fresh apples are sautéed in butter, then tossed with coconut sugar and maple syrup to create a rich caramel-like flavor!
- Double apple flavor. Forget about those recipes that simply spoon sautéed apples over bland oatmeal. Here, I went all-in with the apples, incorporating applesauce into the oatmeal to naturally sweeten it and add extra apple flavor!
Grace, a reader, says: “This was so good!! Perfect for a rainy fall day here in the mountains. Had everything in hand, too, which was nice. 🙂 ★★★★★”
Tetyana, a reader, says: “This was yummy and hit the spot. My teenager enjoyed it as well, and we both especially loved the caramel apples. I had to add an extra cup of water to make sure my oats cooked through, and once the water reduced, they still had a good texture. ★★★★★”
🍎 Grab These Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to make apple oatmeal:
- Apples – First, you want to pick the right type of apples, preferably a variety that will soften and get tender after cooking. I recommend using Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or even Cortland. Do not go with Pink Lady or Granny Smith unless you want a crispy texture.
- Butter – For richness and for a wonderful buttery flavor. You can use store-bought vegan butter or check my vegan butter recipe here.
- Coconut sugar and maple syrup – Because making caramel from scratch takes time and isn’t the easiest option (especially if you’re short on time in the morning), I rely on a combination of coconut sugar and maple syrup to add a natural caramel flavor to the apples.
- Cinnamon – Because apples + cinnamon = 😍
- Oats – You can use either quick or rolled oats. If you prefer a soupy, thinner consistency, go with quick oats. On the other hand, for chewier, heartier oats, use rolled oats.
- Applesauce – You will need unsweetened applesauce to naturally sweeten the oats and to infuse them with apple flavor!
- Vanilla extract – Use a good-quality store-bought brand or homemade vanilla extract.
- Salt
🥣 How It’s Done
- Peel and slice the apples. Peel the apples and remove the core. Slice them into quarters.
- Dice them into cubes. Next, dice them into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
- Transfer to a saucepan. Add the vegan butter and diced apples to a saucepan.
- Cook. Sauté the apples for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
- Sweeten the apples. Add the coconut sugar, maple syrup, water, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cook until saucy. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Combine the oatmeal ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Cook until thick and creamy. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes for quick oats and 5-7 minutes for rolled oats.
🥛 Best Way to Serve It
Divide the oatmeal between serving bowls and top with the saucy caramel apples! You can then garnish your oats with slivered or crushed almonds for some crunch. I personally love to top mine with these sweet and salty almonds!
📔 Thomas’ Tips
Dice your apples into even cubes. This ensures all pieces cook evenly, so none turn mushy while others stay crispy.
Adjust the cooking time. Depending on how you like your oatmeal, feel free to adjust the cooking time. Personally, I don’t like the oats too soupy, so I cook them for about 7 minutes.
Microwave option: If you prefer to cook the oatmeal in the microwave, use the same ingredient ratio and microwave it uncovered on high for about 2 minutes.
❄️ Storing and Reheating
This oatmeal is best served immediately while the apples are still warm and saucy. You can, however, store the apples and cooked oatmeal separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Reheat the apples in a saucepan over medium heat. Do the same for the oatmeal, and add a splash of milk to thin it if it has thickened too much.
💬 FAQs
You can use steel-cut oats, but the cooking time and liquid volume will need to be adjusted.
You have either used the wrong variety of apples and/or cut them into chunks that were too big. Next time, try using another type of apple.
Yes, you can prepare the apples up to 3 days ahead and reheat just before eating. For the oatmeal, I recommend preparing it right before serving.
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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Oatmeal
Ingredients
Caramelized Apples
- 2 medium apples (Golden delicious, Honeycrisp, or Cortland)
- 1 tsp (5 g) vegan butter
- 2 tbsp (28 g) coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
- 1/2 tsp (2 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Oatmeal
- 1 cup (90 g) oats (rolled or quick oats)
- 1/2 cup (125 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- a pinch of salt
- optional: toasted slivered almonds for topping
Instructions
Caramelized Apples
- Peel and slice the apples. Start by peeling the apples and removing the core. Slice them into quarters. Next, dice them into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
- Sauté. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced apples and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the apples are tender and slightly golden brown.
- Sweeten the apples. Add the coconut sugar, maple syrup, water, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened and coats the apples. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
Oatmeal
- Combine the oatmeal ingredients. Add the oats, applesauce, unsweetened plant-based milk, cinnamon, and salt to a medium saucepan.
- Cook until thick and creamy. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes for quick oats and 5-7 minutes for rolled oats. Stir regularly to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
- Divide between 3 serving bowls and top with the warm caramelized apples! Feel free to add an extra pinch of cinnamon and toasted slivered almonds for topping.
- This oatmeal is best served immediately, but it will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. It can also be enjoyed as a cold breakfast or reheated on the stove (you may have to add a little bit more milk).
Notes
Nutrition
Note: This recipe was first released in September 2021 and updated with new process shots and detailed instructions in February 2026. You can see the older photos below.
About the Author
Thomas Pagot is the founder, photographer, and recipe developer behind Full of Plants. He created the blog in 2016 as a personal cookbook for vegan recipes. Through years of recipe development, Thomas has successfully grown Full of Plants into a trusted resource for plant-based recipes.
Leave a Comment
I’m new to oatmeal and now officially in love with it. This recipe is a keeper! I’ll definitely try your other oatmeal recipes.
Glad you liked it Lil! Thanks for your rating 🙂
This was yummy and hit the spot. My teenager enjoyed as well and we both especially loved the caramel apples. I had to add an extra cup of water to make sure my oats cooked through and once the water reduced they still had a good texture.
Awesome! I’m glad you both enjoyed this recipe ^^
This was so good!! perfect for a rainy fall day here in the mountains. Had everything in hand too which was nice. 🙂
Thanks for your feedback Grace! Glad you liked it 😉
And I’m sure it’s even more enjoyable on a rainy day, especially in the mountains!