Hello! Before I made this oatmeal, I never really considered myself an oatmeal person. I practically never ate oatmeal at all. The texture, I thought, was weird, and it didn’t really taste like anything. It was a food that i had always categorized as… “bleh.” But after I developed this recipe on a Saturday morning when I wanted to switch up my breakfast, I completely became an oatmeal person. I’m telling you that I eat this oatmeal almost every morning. It is SUPER easy to make and the ingredients are so common, you probably have them lying around your house. It’s relatively low maintenance, and full of flavor and nutrients to fill you up until lunch. It also incredibly good for you. Every single ingredient does something different for your body’s overall health.
Rolled oats (certified gluten free of course) are full of carbs and fiber. They contain a powerful fiber called beta-glucan that help lower cholesterol, decrease your risk of diabetes, and protect against heart disease. This recipe contains 1 cup of oats, and serves 3. A single serving of oats contains 8 grams of fiber, 13 grams of protein, and 51 grams of complex carbs that provide your brain with the sugar it needs to function properly (aka: students- eat oatmeal before school!) They contain multiple different types of antioxidants, and vitamins, including B3 and avenanthramides.
Almond milk contains healthy fats and proteins that can lower your blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure and, like oats, decrease cholesterol levels. They are high in vitamin E and magnesium, which helps regulate nerve and muscle function. Increased consumption of almonds is directly linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease.
Apples, as we all know, keep the doctor away. But like… do they really? The answer is no. Obviously, eating one apple everyday does not keep you completely healthy… however, apples do provide the average person with a high percentage of their daily nutrient needs. ONE apple contains 20% of the RDI of fiber for the average adult woman, 20% of RDI of carbs, and 11% of vitamin C. Stay healthy people, eat apples (but still go to the doctor.)
Cinnamon is filled with anti-inflammatory properties that help your body fight off infections and repair tissue damage. It has also been proven to increase brain function, and decrease your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and or Alzheimer’s. It can help fight bacterial and fungal infections, especially in the respiratory tract. It’s also believed to have the ability to prevent tooth decay and get rid of bad breath… and no one wants bad breath.
Chia seeds are an AMAZING source of omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber, and iron, and calcium. According to Medical News Today, one ounce of chia seeds contains 18% of your calcium RDI, 27% of your phosphorus RDI and 30% of your manganese RDI. They have been PROVEN to help fight constipation, heart disease, and diabetes, proving that they are, in fact, a heart healthy food
Here are my tips for before you get cooking!
#1: You really don’t need an immersion blender. A food processor or REGULAR blender will work in exactly the same way. The reason why I say immersion blender in the instructions is because of how risky pouring boiling hot milk with chunks of apples in it into a blender is. The liquid can splatter and burn you, and it’ll be really hot. If you’re a kid: please have your parents help you with this step so you don’t get hurt!
#2: This recipe keeps REALLY well. When I say I make it before a week and store it in mason jars I’m not kidding. I’m SUPER busy, so during the school week I try to sleep as late as I can without being late for school, so this is super convenient. I can just heat it up, add the toppings, and voila! I’m in the car driving to school with time to spare. It keeps for more than a week in the fridge, and is just as yummy then as it is fresh out of the pot.
#3: You have to stir what’s in the pot. If not, it will burn and stick to the bottom of the saucepan and it’ll be impossible to get off. Not to mention your oatmeal will taste like something is burning and that is less than amazing. So, whenever there is milk in the pot, keep stirring it to ensure this doesn’t happen.
#4 This recipe is great for picky eaters. Apples are a commonly known and frequently eaten fruit. They are sweet, and familiar, and if you have or are a picky eater, this is a way to familiarize or introduce them or yourself with a new food. I didn’t like oatmeal before I tried this recipe! I’m proof it works! (As a plus, it’s heavenly with brown sugar on top… but what isn’t?)
#5: If you aren’t a picky eater, and consider yourself more adventurous, branch out with your toppings! I will try every food at least once, (except for gluten of course) and most of the obscure foods I try I end up loving. So, I make this recipe more interesting by using toppings that add a new texture and flavor. I try to, especially on weekdays, to jam as much protein and healthy fats into my breakfast as possible, so I don’t get hungry before lunch. You can see on the printable recipe what toppings I usually use, but I also recommend unsweetened shredded coconut, almond butter, flax seeds, chia seeds, fruits, slivered almonds, raw rolled oats, or maple syrup. It’s all great.
SO! Here’s the recipe. Happy cooking people!! Hope your days are filled with good breakfasts and happy mornings!
Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk I used unsweetened vanilla
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup rolled oats CERTIFIED gf (if you have celiac)
- 1 medium sized apple
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
for the toppings (optional! this is just what I used)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1/2 banana sliced
- 1/2 apple chopped
- 2 teaspoons honey (for drizzling on top, maple syrup also works)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan on high heat, add the almond milk, water, cinnamon, and vanilla
- While that is heating up, peel the apple and cut it into small chunks
- As soon as you are done cutting the apple, add it to the almond milk and water, no matter how close to boiling it is
- Stir the pot with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to boil
- Once it starts to boil, remove from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend the apples and milk/water together to make one homogenous mixture. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can pour the apples and liquid into a blender, just be careful of how hot it is. Remember: it was just boiling and could very easily burn you!!
- Place the pot back on the stove and wait for it to boil again. Stir continuously so the milk doesn't burn.
- Once the liquid in the pot begins to boil, add the salt, chia seeds, and oats. Then, turn the heat down to medium/low.
- Continue stirring until the oatmeal reaches the consistency you want it to be. Personally, I like it to be thicker and hold its shape so it is easier to put toppings on. This should take around 20 or so minutes, depending on your stove.
- Remove from the heat, plate, top, and enjoy!
- and if you make this, DM or tag me on instagram (@maizycakes3)