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.
Mira
Thanks for sharing this simple and healthy breakfast idea! I've always wanted to be able to have oats before a workout and then eat something like eggs or an omelet, but I'm such a terrible breakfast eater, that I almost always skip the oats.I'll make them tomorrow :) (Much better than those apple flavored instant oats)
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness
This recipe sounds perfect for this time of year. Thanks for sharing. There are so many nut milks around, I need to try them all!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Yum!
Courtney @RunningforCupcakes
I'm not a big oat person but when I do eat them it is always in apple cinnamon form!
Britt@MyOwnBalance
Yes! I love the combo of apple and cinnamon in my oatmeal! So delicious!
Kat
This is seriously one of my FAVORITE combos for oats. I love that crunch that the apple gives texture wise :)
Michele @ Two Raspberries
Super YUM! perfect flavor combo apple and cinnamon are always great together in my book ;-)
Manali @ CookWithManali
It's raining apples and cinnamon everywhere! What a healthy and delicious breakfast recipe Dannii! love it!
Over a Cuppa
I love a bowl of porridge now it is getting colder. I like to add spices to mine to cheer it up a bit and I love black treacle too for a treat. Love the idea of adding apple, I shall give it a go!
Chris @ Shared Appetite
This looks amazing! Apple is my fave fall flavor by far.... what a great way to start off the day!
Karen
Yum! Quick and easy too, just how I like it! I'm with you on the two breakfasts along with morning workouts, I do the exact same thing! :)
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
When I first opened this I thought I wasn't going to like it - I don't liked chunky apples in my oatmeal for some reason! Never did I EVER think to shred an apple into oatmeal! Genius!! Now I have to try it :)
marcie
I've been on an apple oatmeal kick and I'm not tired of it one bit! Your oatmeal is definitely perfect for a pre-workout breakfast. :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Aren't oats the best? Its such a comforting and warm breakfast. I love this apple pie flavour and the milk you used too!
Allison
I've been having a variation of this for breakfast nearly every day since the apples have arrived. I really can't get enough! Plus, eating oatmeal that tastes like pie is just the best way to wake up in the morning :)
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods
I've been on a big oatmeal kick. Once the weather begins to cool that is all I want for breakfast. The shredded apple sounds so delicious!
Brittany
YES to apples and cinnamon. They were MADE for each other! This looks delicious.
Alison Hanncock
I made this for a late breakfast this morning and YUM! Really comforting and it did actually taste like apple pie. Thanks for an inspired recipes. My breakfasts are usually so boring.
Jenny Tandie
What do you do for protein for breakfast?
Taylor
This would be even better with some nut butter in it too.