Apple Pie Oatmeal
Apple Pie Oatmeal is a healthy way to start your families day. Spice up your breakfast with this old fashioned favorite with diced apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, crunchy walnuts, and oats. Although it tastes like fall, you can enjoy this any time of the year.
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No matter what time of year, this Apple Pie Oatmeal is a favorite is our house. In fact, on average my kids request this once to twice per week. I’m thrilled to make this for them, because it’s loaded with good healthy ingredients. I go easy on the brown sugar, but this gives it that extra special yumminess that they love.
This apple pie oatmeal recipe is really easy to make, and it requires very simple ingredients. I kept it simple, so the kids can easily whip this up whenever they are up for making it on their own.
APPLE PIE OATMEAL INGREDIENTS
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- Butter – We use unsalted butter, but we don’t add any salt to this recipe it would be fine to use salted butter. Also, there’s alternative butters that taste great. Our favorites are Earth Balance, and Miyoko’s vegan butter.
- Apples – There’s so many apple that would work really well for this recipe. We love Honeycrip apples, and Granny Smith and cook up great. If you decide to make this, choose a firmer apple, so they don’t get mushy when cooked.
- Walnuts – I would choose walnuts all day long for many recipes, since they’re one of my personal favorites. Pecans would also be delicious in this oatmeal recipe.
- Cinnamon – I kept it simple with cinnamon, but you could really add some extra flavor with apple pie spice, or just nutmeg, ginger, or cloves.
- Brown sugar – I always try to substitute brown sugar for any time white sugar is needed. If you want to avoid the refined sugars, try date pieces or paste, apple butter, honey, maple syrup, vanilla yogurt, mashed bananas, or even stevia.
- Oats – Any type of oats will do, but not all oats are created equal. Quick oats are quick, but whole grain oats offer much more nutritional value. More details on this below.
- Water – I use water, but for creamier oatmeal try milk or milk alternatives.
STEPS TO MAKE APPLE PIE OATMEAL
Many parents struggle to get their kids to eat. I have had friends reach out to me concerned that their kids with won’t eat healthy, or sometimes won’t eat. I have definitely struggled with this, and still have moments with both my boys. Luckily, overall they’re good eaters.
For many years I used sneaky tactics to get the greens in, and I would makes things taste better just to get them to eat what I felt was healthy for them. For example, I added spinach and veggies to smoothies, and they didn’t know. (They know now, expect it, and love it.) Apple pie oatmeal is another example. They think they’re eating pie, ha, getting dessert for breakfast. But, it’s naturally sweetened, and lightly sweetened with a bit of brown sugar.
HOW TO MAKE APPLE PIE OATMEAL VIDEO
In this video tutorial, Brody and I walk you through the entire recipe and how do make this delicious breakfast. This recipe and video is Day 3 of our “5 Day Breakfast Challenge”, which is offered for FREE to the kids. Moreover, it’s an easy hands on stove top version that gives kids a chance to practice their cooking skills, learn ingredients, and make a new recipe.
This was originally created for my kids school as an enrichment when Covid-19 first struck, and we had to remain under quarantine. It was a hit, and the kids really enjoyed it. Lot’s of students shared their pics, and videos of them creating their breakfast recipes. So fun!!
WHAT TYPE OF OATS SHOULD I USE?
Oats are one of the most popular foods in the world, especially for breakfast. But they’re also used in a variety of recipes, smoothies, and desserts.
Not all oats are created equal. Oats come in a variety of names, and processes. This can get confusing, so I will discuss the most common oats used for oatmeal.
It starts with the Oat Groat which is the whole oat berry that has had the outer husk removed. What remains after the husk is removed is the cereal germ, bran portion of the grain, and the endosperm.
Steel Cut Oats: This is the oat groat that has been cut into small pieces by steel blades. They do require a longer cooking time than the rolled, quick, and instant oats. The cooking time is 20-30 minutes. Steel cut oats have a nutty flavor, and a chewy texture. It’s definitely well worth the wait for a bowl of this in the morning.
Rolled Oats = Old Fashioned Oats: These oats are made from oat groats, which is the whole grain, after husk removal. They have a mild flavor, and softer texture. First, they’re hulled, steamed, and rolled through a mill to flatten them, and avoiding cracking. Flattening the oat reduces the cooking time to about 10 minutes.
Quick Oats: The quick oats go through the same process as rolled oats, but they’re flattened even thinner. These will cook in just a few minutes.
Instant Oats: This is the smallest , and thinnest type of oats. They’ve gone through the same process as rolled oats, and quick oats, but they’ve been pre-cooked. This is why they’re considered instant oats, and cook in just a couple minutes. The texture tends to be very soft, and mushy.
IS APPLE PIE OATMEAL HEALTHY FOR KIDS?
There are many healthy benefits to eating oatmeal, and the other ingredients in this recipe. You can use this recipe as the base, then add or remove ingredients that you either don’t like or may have dietary restrictions. My kids love this recipe, and since it’s part of the “5 Day Breakfast Challenge”, I have seen lots of kids make and love this recipe too.
Benefits of this recipe:
Oats are high in soluble fiber. Also, they’re high in vitamins, antioxidants, and other important nutrients. They can help lower LDL bad cholesterol, for a healthy heart. Moreover, there are claims that it may help decrease the risk of childhood asthma.
An apple a day helps keep the doctor away, so I make sure my kids eat apples everyday. We’re big apples fans in our house, because they’re delicious and they have many healthy benefits. Apples are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and are rich in fiber.
Walnuts are my personal favorite out of all the different nut types. When I was growing up, I remember eating them right off tree. I still eat them today, and my kids love them as well. Too bad we don’t have a tree. Lol!
Now, I use them all the time. For instance, I add them in smoothies, salads, baking, or I eat a handful just on their own. I find them so delicious. More importantly, they’re very healthy for you containing omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and other important nutrients.
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST APPLE PIE OATMEAL
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- Use rolled oats or old fashioned oats for this recipe, since the texture goes well with the apple. Also, it tends not to get mushy like the instant oats.
- Cook the apples in a pot with the butter, walnut, cinnamon, and brown sugar, for a few minutes before adding oats. This softens the apples and walnuts, and also develops the flavors. (Your kitchen will smell amazing!)
- Cut the apples in small diced pieces. My kids like the smaller pieces better when eating it, instead of biting into big chunks of apple.
- Use water to keep calories down, and not as think. Use milk or alternative for a creamier thicker consistency.
WHAT ARE OTHER TOPPING CHOICES FOR APPLE PIE OATS?
This is really a personal preference, and what you and your kids like. I put a list of variations together, but mix and match these yummy toppings to create your favorites.
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- Sliced bananas, shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips, and pecan pieces
- Almond butter, banana slices, and Chia seeds (or favorite nut butter)
- Vanilla yogurt, date pieces, shredded coconut, and some extra walnut pieces
- Apple pieces, apple butter, walnuts, and honey drizzle
- Apple pieces, dried fruit pieces, and crunchy granola
- Fresh berries, banana slices, and nut butter
WANT MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES FROM BLC?
APPLE PIE OATMEAL
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons butter (Salted or unsalted is ok, since no added salt to this recipe.)
- 1 medium diced Honeycrisp apple (save some of the diced apples for the topping)
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces (save some for the topping)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup quick oats (follow instructions for 2 servings)
- 2 cups water (for cooking the oats)
- milk or milk alternative (for the topping)
Instructions
- Have your ingredients measured, cut, and prepared.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat 2minutes, then add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and diced apples.Stirring 2 minutes until apples soften.
- Next step - follow the label on the quick oats for directions. An additional 5-6minutes.
- When liquid is absorbed pour into bowl, add a sprinkle of cinnamon, brown sugar, and milk or milk alternative, and any other toppings you like.
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