Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Crunchy, crisp apples in creamy, smooth oatmeal packed with great flavor is a breakfast impossible to get tired of. This creamy apple oatmeal is ready in about 2 minutes in the microwave.

It is made with instant whole oats, coconut milk or almond milk, fresh diced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon, with optional flax and chia seeds. It is dairy free and naturally sweet from the fruit.

The Best Creamy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal (Dairy Free)

I eat creamy apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast probably 3 or 4 times a week. It’s definitely a favorite! It’s so simple and yummy, and it’s one of our favorites.

Creamy oatmeal is a classic breakfast option. However, I’m not a fan of using dairy milk. It gave me migraines, so I had to kick dairy to the curb. I’ve been experimenting with several non dairy options for a few years and have fallen in love with vanilla almond milk and coconut milk. They create a really creamy texture, and I prefer the original coconut milk or vanilla almond milk in this recipe.

As if creaminess isn’t enough, the crispy and juicy apples add even more sweetness and flavor. My favorite apple to use is a Fuji. You’ll love this quick, healthy and easy breakfast.

The magic is in the contrast. The oats cook up soft and creamy in the milk, and the apple goes in raw at the end, so every spoonful has a little crunch. A sprinkle of cinnamon ties it all together and makes it taste like apple pie for breakfast. Flax seeds and chia seeds are optional, but they stir right in and make the oatmeal even thicker and more filling.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Oatmeal

• Ready in about 2 minutes. The microwave does the work while you dice the apple.
• Dairy free and creamy. Coconut milk or almond milk makes it smooth and rich.
• Crunchy and soft. Fresh, crisp apple is stirred into warm, creamy oats.
• Naturally sweet. The apple and vanilla milk bring the sweetness, with no added sugar in the recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this apple oatmeal recipe and why each one is there. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Instant whole oats: Instant oats are rolled thin and precooked, so they turn soft and creamy in the microwave in just a couple of minutes. Old fashioned oats will work too, but they need a little more time and liquid to soften. If you need the oatmeal gluten free, look for oats labeled certified gluten free.
• Flax seeds (optional): Add a mild, nutty flavor and help thicken the oatmeal. Ground flaxseed blends in more smoothly than whole seeds.
• Chia seeds (optional): Chia seeds soak up liquid and swell, which makes the oatmeal even thicker and more filling. Stir well so they don’t clump.
• Coconut milk or almond milk: This is what makes the oatmeal creamy without dairy. Original coconut milk or vanilla almond milk are the favorites here. Vanilla almond milk adds a touch of sweetness and vanilla flavor, and coconut milk makes it extra rich. Use the drinkable kind in a carton, not canned coconut milk, which is much thicker. Any milk you like will work.
• Apple: One medium apple, washed well and diced. Fuji is the favorite because it is sweet, crisp and juicy, but Honeycrisp, Gala and Pink Lady are also great choices. Leave the peel on for color and extra crunch. Dice the apple into small, even pieces so you get some in every bite.
• Cinnamon: Just a sprinkle on top. Cinnamon and apple are a classic pair, and it adds warmth without any sugar. Add more if you love it. A pinch of nutmeg or a drop of vanilla is a nice addition too.
• Toppings (optional): A spoonful of almond butter, a few chopped walnuts or a drizzle of honey all make it feel extra special, but the apple and vanilla milk already bring plenty of sweetness on their own.

How to Make Creamy Apple Oatmeal

1. Combine the oats and milk. In a microwave safe bowl, stir together the oats, flax seeds, chia seeds and milk. Use a bowl with plenty of room, since oatmeal can bubble up as it cooks. Make sure the seeds are stirred in well so they don’t settle in a clump at the bottom.
2. Microwave. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well, then continue to microwave for up to 1 more minute, until the oatmeal is as thick and creamy as you like. Stirring halfway helps it cook evenly and keeps it from boiling over.
3. Dice the apple. While the oatmeal cooks, wash the apple well and dice it into small pieces. A sharp knife and a steady cutting board make this quick. Cut around the core, then slice and dice the pieces so they are about the size of a pea or a little bigger.
4. Add the apple. Remove the oatmeal from the microwave and stir in the diced apple. The apple stays crisp and juicy against the warm, soft oats.
5. Finish with cinnamon. Combine well, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Let it sit for a minute if you used chia seeds so they can thicken the oatmeal a little more. Enjoy!

Ways to Customize Your Oatmeal

• Swap the fruit. A reader used canned peaches instead of apples for a softer texture and loved it.
• Change the milk. Use original coconut milk for richness or vanilla almond milk for a little extra sweetness.
• Skip the seeds. Flax and chia seeds are optional, so leave them out if you don’t have them.

Creamy Apple Oatmeal FAQs

• What is the best apple for oatmeal? Fuji is the favorite because it is sweet, crisp and juicy. Any crisp, sweet apple works well.
• Can I use regular milk? Yes. Coconut milk or almond milk keeps it dairy free, but any milk you like will work.
• Can I use old fashioned oats? Yes, but they take longer to soften. Microwave in short bursts and add a splash more milk if needed.
• Can I cook the apples with the oats? You can, if you want them soft. Adding them at the end keeps them crunchy.
• Can I use other fruit? Yes. A reader made it with canned peaches for a softer consistency and called it yummy.
• How do I keep the oatmeal from boiling over? Use a large bowl and stop to stir after the first minute. If it starts to rise, pause the microwave for a few seconds and then continue.
• Is this oatmeal gluten free? Oats are naturally gluten free but are often processed with wheat. Use certified gluten free oats if you need to.
• Can I make it ahead? It is best fresh. Oatmeal thickens as it sits, so if you make it ahead, keep it in the fridge, add the apple when serving and stir in a splash of milk when you reheat it.

Microwave Apple Oatmeal with Almond Milk

Microwave apple oatmeal made creamy with coconut or almond milk, topped with crisp diced apple and cinnamon. A dairy free breakfast ready in about 2 minutes.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup instant whole oats
• 1 tsp flax seeds optional
• 1 tsp Chia seeds optional
• 1 and 1/2 cup coconut milk or almond milk I prefer original coconut milk or vanilla almond milk
• 1 medium-size apple diced (my favorite is Fuji)
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

 

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine and stir together oats, flax seeds, chia seeds, and milk. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and continue to microwave up to an additional minute or until oatmeal is at desired consistency.
• Meanwhile, wash apple well and dice. Remove oatmeal from microwave and add diced apple. Combine well then sprinkle with cinnamon. Enjoy!

Made this oatmeal? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me what fruit you used in the comments below. I love hearing about your swaps.

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