If you have never tried steel cut oats, then now is the time. They are really quite different than rolled or quick oats–chewier, and nuttier.

Even though they take quite a bit longer to make, you can prepare extra, refrigerate it, and then heat it up the next morning. When I do this, I usually divide up leftovers in separate microwave bowls. Then in the morning, I break up the cold oats (which turn into gelatinous bricks in the refrigerator) with a spoon, add about 2 teaspoons of water per bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for about a minute until hot.

steel cut oats with apple and cinnamon

2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 cup steel cut oats
4 cups water
pinch of salt
milk
cream
sugar
cinnamon apples (recipe follows)

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in oats and stir frequently until oats get a bit toasted (When you can smell them cooking, then they’re toasted). Pour in water and bring to a boil. Once the mixture comes to a rolling boil, add in the salt and reduce heat to a very low simmer.

2. Simmer the oats for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently. If the water evaporates to quickly, you can add more as you go along. Pour into bowls and top with milk, cream, sugar, and the cinnamon apples.

cinnamon apples

This recipe is designed as a single serving. Double and triple the recipe to your heart’s content.

1/2 small apple
1 teaspoon butter
pinch ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons granulated or brown sugar

Peel and cut the apple into very small pieces. Place in a microwave safe dish and top with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and serve.

Here’s a couple breakfast recipes for apple week!

Even though this recipe isn’t topped with apples, it would be so good if it were. Just use the cinnamon apples recipe above to put on top of this heavenly cream of wheat.

Or you could have these cinnamon oatmeal apple muffins.

9 Responses to “apple week! steel cut oats with cinnamon sugar apples”

1. VeggieGirl says:

   7 October 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Loooovely “fall appropriate” oats!
2. maybelles mom says:

   7 October 2009 at 6:35 pm

   i love stone cut oatmeal, we have started doing it in the slowcooker overnight. this topping is a wonderful addition.
3. Laura says:

   7 October 2009 at 6:38 pm

   I never thought to toast the oats before. I will try that next time.
4. Sarah says:

   7 October 2009 at 7:29 pm

   I make this in the crock pot at night before I go to bed. I put a liner in the crock pot and for every cup of oats I put in 2 cups of water, add a few chopped up apples, a little butter, and some cinnamon, set on low. When you wake up in the morning scoop out the oatmeal into bowls add a little sugar and milk and you have a nice hot breakfast first thing in the morning!
5. Steph says:

   7 October 2009 at 8:10 pm

   steel cut oats are my favourite! you make them even better with apples and cinnamin
6. Jaime says:

   7 October 2009 at 8:52 pm

   Thanks for the ideas, Sarah and maybelles mom. The slow cooker idea is perfect. I will have to do that sometime–perhaps when my kids all want to eat the oats too. Yum.
7. Jen T says:

   8 October 2009 at 2:43 pm

   Yum! I am thinking those cinnamon apples would be good on ice cream too
8. Connie (the write one) says:

   10 October 2009 at 7:38 am

   I think Jen has the right idea! I love stone cut oatmeal, I like the texture better than regular.
9. Jodi says:

   18 October 2009 at 10:18 am

   I love that you can put this one in the fridg. and eat it later! My kids will enjoy this one.