How do you like the sound of starting your morning with the warming taste of apple pie, but much lighter? It sounds good to me! This Apple Pie Porridge is a delicious vegan breakfast made with almond milk, shredded apple, cinnamon and some maple syrup for extra sweetness. It makes getting out of bed on a cold morning that little bit easier!
Just 6 ingredients go in to making this delicious porridge and it is ready in under 10 minutes. Breakfast doesn't have to be complicated and it's a great recipe for kids too!
If you are looking for other ways to use apples, then why not try our Apple Turnovers, Cinnamon Baked Apples or Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.
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Why you will love it
- So easy to make - It's as simple as mixing everything together in a saucepan and heating through.
- Ready in under 10 minutes - A quick and easy breakfast.
- Creamy and comforting - It doesn't get more comforting that a bowl of warm porridge.
- Kids love it - Kids usually love anything sweet, so this will go down well! It's also a great opportunity to get kid's to eat apples, if they aren't usually a fan.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Oats - We used rolled oats as we find that they are the best for porridge and for the quickest cooking time. If you use other oats, then cooking times will vary.
- Almond milk - This is a controversial one (more on that below), as a lot of people make porridge with just water. But we love ours with milk to get it super creamy. We have used almond milk, but you could use skimmed, semi-skimmed milk or full fat.
- Apple - Any apples will work here and it's a great way to make a budget friendly breakfast.
- Maple syrup - The apples add lots of sweetness, but we like to add some more with a little maple syrup. You could use honey too, but it wouldn't be vegan.
- Cinnamon - Just a little bit adds so much flavour, without adding lots of extra calories and it's also seen as a superfood. A whole tablespoon (not that you would want to eat that much in one go) has under 20 calories in it and it is also high in calcium, fibre and magnesium. It is also anti inflammatory and helps to lower cholesterol too. Win!
- Pecans - These add a nice crunch on top. They can be swapped for any other nut though.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make apple oats - Step by step
One: Grate the apple using a coarse grater.
Two: Put the oats, almond milk, shredded apple, maple syrup and cinnamon in to a pan and gently head for 4-5 minutes until thickened.
Three: Serve in bowls with apple slices and pecans on top.
Health benefits
When we want a healthy and filling breakfast, porridge is always our go to. Porridge is a great way to start the day because oats are a complex carbohydrate, which provide slow-releasing energy throughout the morning and keep you going until lunch.
Porridge made with milk is a good mix of carbohydrates, protein and fibre. If you are making it with water, then this will lower the fat and sugar, but also lower the protein.
Oats contain a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which studies have shown can help to lower your cholesterol. They also contain iron, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. If you are making this porridge with milk like we have, then the vitamin and mineral content increases, as does the calcium content.
Apples are a good source of fibre, potassium and vitamin C and K. Apples have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. One reason for this may be that apples contain soluble fibre, and this can help lower your blood cholesterol levels.
Apples also contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects. However, many of these are in the peel, so if you peel the apples they they won't have the same benefits.
Porridge toppings
Porridge is all about the toppings. We have added some extra apple slices and crushed pecans on top, but here are some other toppings that work well in this porridge:
- Flaked almonds
- Homemade Nutella
- Berries
- Chia seeds
- Homemade Almond Butter
- Homemade Peanut Butter
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate chips
Storage
This is best eaten straight after cooking it and if you follow this recipe, then you should have enough for 2 portions. However, if you do find yourself with leftover porridge then did you know that you can use it to make pancakes? If you had 80g of porridge, you can add 80g of self raising flour to it, along with an egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 50ml of milk and whisk it up to make pancake mixture.
Frequently asked questions
Well, yes and no. When it comes to this recipe, yes it is the same thing. Oatmeal is a type of porridge, but porridge isn't always made of oats. It can be made of a variety of grains or legumes.
This really is a personal preference. Technically, traditional porridge is made with just water and it is still creamy. But, we like ours super creamy and that's why we use milk.
No, you don't have to. But, adding some at the beginning of cooking can help add a nice nutty flavour. Don't add it at the end, otherwise it will just taste salty. You only need a tiny pinch.
Yes, this can be made in the microwave if you would prefer. You won't need as much milk and it will only take 3 minutes, stirring half way through.
More oat recipes
If you’ve tried this apple cinnamon oatmeal, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Apple Pie Porridge
Ingredients
- 60 g (0.75 cups) Oats
- 350 ml (1.5 cups) Almond milk
- 1 Apple - grated
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 0.5 teaspoon (0.) Cinnamon
- Apple slices and pecans - for serving; optional
Instructions
- Grate 1 Apple using a coarse grater.
- Put 60 g Oats, 350 ml Almond milk, grated apple, 2 tablespoon Maple syrup and 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon into a pan and gently head for 4-5 minutes until thickened.
- Serve in bowls with Apple slices and pecans on top.
Recipe tips
- pecans on top when serving for some extra crunch.
- Want more spice in it? Add some nutmeg and ginger too.
- You could swap the apple for pear, or use a mixture of them both.
- Want this on a warm day? Make it as overnight oats. Just mix everything together the night before and put in the fridge overnight. Top with extra apple and pecans before serving.
- You can use any milk to make this porridge, or even swap it for water.
- The cooking time for this recipe is for using rolled oats. If you use steel cut oats, then the cooking time will vary.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Becca
This sounds so comforting. I'm going to make it for breakfast tomorrow after my 10k run.
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
I love the concept of having two breakfasts! Haha, I always have a big green smoothie before my run and a big bowl of oats very similar to this after! These oats look absolutely delicious and so comforting!! :) Yum!
Kirtley Freckleton@ The Gist of Fit
I LOOOVE oatmeals with apple and cinnamon--favorite way to eat it!!
And hey, I say the closer you can make it to a pie and keep it healthy, the bettttter!!
Ashley Taylor Yannello
Yum! This looks so delicious :) Great too, for the crisp fall mornings!
Beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing with the world!
Ashley
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
YUM!!! I love the idea of using shredded apples. I'm not usually a huge oatmeal fan because I like more texture/chewing (if that makes sense) but this seems perfect! I have to try this almond milk too.
Anna chapman
DEVINE!!!! Smells amazing! Makes me feel like I am eating something naughty! Will forward this recipe on to friends for sure! Thank you :)
Choclette
Porridge is such a great breakfast food and if you cook it for long enough it's so creamy, you don't really need milk. Apple and cinnamon is a lovely addition. I add all sorts to mine, depending on my mood. Prunes is one of my favourites.
Mary
I'm not a fan of cooked apples, but I am a fan of two breakfasts! Haha! :P
I do like adding slices of apple and other fruits on top of my porridge in the mornings though.
Ren Behan
Looks like a lovely breakfast - the children would enjoy this kind of fuel in the morning, too! Have a great bank holiday weekend
Jeanette
This would be free on the Weight Watchers Filling and Healthy plan. :-)
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
Apple pie oats are a favourite of mine, especially with lots of cinnamon, yum!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry
Perfect healthy breakfast or in my case afternoon snack.
Imogen
I just made a smaller version of this for dessert and it is SO good.
Zoe
Do you think it would work well with pear too? I know it wouldn't taste like apple pie then, but I have loads of pears to use up.
Thanks :)
Megan
I would love some more breakfast recipes please. I am lacking in inspiration and if there is nothing I fancy, then I tend to just skip it altogether.
Sarah
Such a great idea for low fat goodies! Will definitely give this a go. Great post :)
Cassandra
These are on my meal plan for tomorrow :) I get so bored with just plain oatmeal, but it is the quickest healthy breakfast that I can think of. I hope I can get this milk in Asda.
Barbara
I really should make more of an effort to eat breakfast every morning, but I often don't have an appetite. Do you have any suggestions for something fairly small, but healthy that would start my day off right?
Lucie Aiston
Yum!!! I know it's bad but I rarely eat breakfast! This looks like a great way to start the day :)
Lucy
Now I have a craving for apple pie lol. Do you have a healthy apple pie recipe by any chance?