I love steel cut oatmeal, though during busy weekdays I usually reach for the Maple and Brown Sugar packet variety for a quick breakfast at my desk. On weekends, however, I enjoy preparing a warm, nutty batch of steel cut oats from scratch.
Making steel cut oats at home lets you control the sweetness and experiment with different flavor combinations. Last Sunday I made Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats sweetened with pure maple syrup—perfect for a crisp fall morning.
I served the oats in hollowed apples for a festive presentation; this is optional but makes for a charming and practical way to use fresh-picked apples. I finished the bowls with chopped walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. The recipe yields about four servings, so I portioned the leftovers for breakfasts over the next two days.
Full disclosure: I loved these—both the texture and the flavor were just what I wanted. My husband Brian didn’t care for them; he prefers the softer texture and sweeter profile of packaged oatmeal, so take his opinion lightly if you favor healthier breakfasts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Have a great weekend!
Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
with maple syrup
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup steel cut oats
4 cups hot water
1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup chopped apple (I used Honeycrisp)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Optional garnishes:
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup additional chopped apple
Extra maple syrup for drizzling
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the steel cut oats and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
2. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and salt.
3. Pour in the hot water, stir, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and stir in the chopped apples and maple syrup. Continue cooking, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the oats reach your desired consistency.
5. Serve the oats in bowls or spoon into hollowed apples for a festive touch. Garnish with chopped walnuts, extra apple pieces, and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
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