Caramel Apple Oatmeal

Caramel apple oatmeal is one of the best cozy fall breakfast ideas! It’s healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and made with no refined sugar. The creamy stovetop oatmeal is flavored with dairy-free caramel sauce, then topped with warm spiced apples and chopped nuts. It’s loaded with fall flavors, reminiscent of apple pie, and tastes like dessert for breakfast. You’ll especially enjoy it during cold mornings!

Why I love this caramel apple oatmeal recipe

‘Tis the season of cozy meals, chilly weather, and apple picking! Growing up in Minnesota, visiting the apple orchard was an essential October tradition. We’d pack the whole family in a car, drive to the local orchard, and gather more apples than we’d know what to do with. This would inevitably result in apple-filled EVERYTHING for the following month straight. I’m talking apple pie, bread, muffins, cookies, crumbles, and pretty much every apple-flavored variation you can think of. My absolute favorite? Caramel covered apples! *Swoons*

Although I’m no longer living in Minnesota, this caramel apple oatmeal brings back a little piece of my childhood every time I make it. It’s cozy, comforting, and oh so satisfying. If you’ve ever wanted to eat dessert for breakfast, you now have the perfect excuse. This oatmeal is reminiscent of classic apple pie, but it’s also fiber-packed and incredibly nourishing.

In order to make this cozy fall breakfast recipe, we’ll first make a creamy dreamy bowl of stovetop oatmeal. It’s sweetened with healthy caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Then, we’ll lightly fry diced apples and flavor ’em with warm fall spices. Combine the two, add an extra drizzle of caramel, and voila! You’re ready to dig in within just 15 minutes.

This caramel apple oatmeal is:

• Vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and soy-free
• A quick and easy, one-pot meal
• Made with healthy ingredients & pantry staples
• A high fiber breakfast for weight loss
• Naturally sweetened with fruit
• One of the best warm healthy breakfasts for fall and winter!

What is apple pie oatmeal made of?

• Oats: This apple oatmeal recipe is best with rolled oats. I don’t really recommend using quick oats or steel cut oats. If you do, follow the package instructions for cooking.
• Apple: Apples are the star of this meal! They are lightly fried on the stovetop with warm spices. I suggest using honey crisp apples for the best flavor, but you can’t go wrong with any kind. This red fruit provides various health benefits, including antioxidants and pectin (which acts as a prebiotic and promotes gut health).
• Vegan caramel: Use store bought vegan caramel sauce or create your own at home. I recommend following my super easy, 3-ingredient vegan peanut butter caramel recipe.
• Plant-based milk: Oatmeal can be cooked with any type of plant-based milk. My favorite choices are almond milk and oat milk.
• Coconut oil: We’ll lightly fry the diced apples with a teaspoon of coconut oil. Nonstick cooking spray works as well.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract is an essential for oatmeal. Much like desserts and baked goods, it enhances the overall flavor and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Warm spices: In particular, we’ll use a combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is necessary for balancing the sweet flavors and enhancing the caramel.

How to make healthy apple cinnamon oatmeal

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Begin by combining all oatmeal ingredients in a pot. This includes rolled oats, plant-based milk, water, peanut butter caramel, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.

Next, transfer the pot to a stovetop over medium heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy.

While the oatmeal is cooking, warm a skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly grease it with coconut oil or nonstick spray. Add diced apples, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg.

Cook the diced apples for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until warm and soft.

After, serve the oatmeal with the cooked apples on top. Add any other toppings of your choosing. Enjoy!

The best apple oatmeal toppings

This apple cinnamon oatmeal already has warm spiced apples on top. However, I suggest adding other toppings as well! You can’t go wrong with an extra drizzle of caramel and chopped nuts. Browse the ideas below to find your favorite.

• Caramel: The healthy caramel sauce is already mixed into the oatmeal, but I recommend adding it on top as well.
• Nuts and seeds: Try it with chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds. These add a crunchy texture, which is a delicious contrast to the creamy oats.
• Fruit: Feel free to incorporate other fruits. I think this caramel oatmeal recipe also pairs well with banana and blueberries.
• Nut butter: Get in your healthy fats with a drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter on top.
• Granola: Toss a sprinkle of granola on top for crunchy texture. I suggest choosing a seasonal flavor, like maple or pumpkin spice.
• Yogurt: Add a dollop of coconut yogurt for a truly creamy oatmeal bowl.
• Maple syrup: If you would like a sweeter flavor, drizzle real maple syrup on top. Sugar-free maple syrup is a great option if you are looking to cut back on sugar.

Preparing oatmeal for meal prep

If you plan to make this caramel apple oatmeal in advance, allow it to cool down to room temperature before storing in a sealed container. It will thicken as it cools, so I recommend adding a few splashes of plant-based milk before reheating.

You can reheat the meal-prepped oatmeal on the stovetop or inside the microwave. Be sure to add the toppings after reheating the oats.

More vegan oatmeal recipes

• Peanut Butter Oatmeal
• Chocolate Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal
• Chocolate Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal

More fall breakfast recipes with apples

• Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl
• Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

If you try this Caramel Apple Oatmeal, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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