Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

With different seasons come different food associations. With fall, I think of warm comforting foods and seasonal produce. Apples are a fall staple. Most varieties are at their seasonal peak during this time.

I used gala apples in this recipe.

Growing up, my mom would make us cinnamon tea during cold weather. We would drink it and feel so cozy! Now as an adult and nutrition student, I still like adding cinnamon to my meals or take it in as a tea for similar comfort reasons but with the additional knowledge that cinnamon has some great health benefits.

This recipe is an accumulation of all of that. Inspired by the season, but truly great to have year-round.

Recipe makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup steel cut oats
2 cups milk of choice
2 cups water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp nut butter
2 apples
Coconut cooking oil spray

Directions

Generously spray a sauce pan with coconut oil and heat it on low-medium heat.
Add oats and stir frequently, until lightly browned (about 3 minutes).
Once oats are at desired toasty-ness, add in water, milk, and cinnamon. Stir well.
Raise heat and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, lower heat again to bring oats down to a simmer.
Cook oats uncovered for about 30 minutes or until liquid is mostly absorbed. Stir every now and then.
During the last 10 minutes of the oats cooking, chop two red apples into bite-size pieces.
Spray a sauté pan with coconut oil and add the apple chunks. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Cook apples until lightly browned and slightly softened (about 5 minutes).
Divide cooked oats into 4 containers and top with apples and nut butter.

*Optional: Add 1 tbsp of honey or your favorite sweetener to the oats before dividing them up. Or, add 1/4 tbsp of sweetener to the individual servings. I like to add honey to mine and my partner likes to add brown sugar.