This is another recipe I created during covid times; apples and oatmeal are definitely a beloved combination, but I wanted a little something *extra*. I love sweets and all types of desserts, and I especially love finding ways to make “cheat foods” healthy! 

Oatmeal was always a popular choice in our home when I was growing up, but those oatmeal bowls typically consisted of 2% cow’s milk, brown sugar and strawberries. My oatmeal bowls look a little different these days, I use dairy-free milk instead of cow milk, and lots of fruit, usually some combination of apples, strawberries, blueberries and bananas. I also like topping my oatmeal bowls with chopped walnuts and dates, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

But when I was coming up with this recipe, I wanted all of the comfort, warmth, and heartiness of an oatmeal bowl, without *just* having an oatmeal bowl!

Oatmeal itself is a delicious and wholesome way to kickstart your morning. It’s packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and gives you lasting energy to fuel your day. I’ve noticed this firsthand in my own life; a couple of years ago, I started specifically and consciously having oatmeal for breakfast on days that I was taking my dog for hikes, either in the form of an oatmeal bowl, or healthy oatmeal cookies or bars, like my Everything Oatmeal Bars recipe. I noticed right away that I had much more energy and endurance, and could hike longer without feeling tired. Choosing oatmeal before exercising kept my stamina up in a comfortable, natural-feeling way that a cup of coffee just can’t! So now, on days that I’m going for hikes with Zeus, I make sure to have oatmeal in some form for breakfast.

This bowl consists of cooked stovetop apples–the “apple pie filling,” a caramel apple drizzle, and additional, optional toppings such as maple syrup, chopped nuts and cinnamon. The caramel apple drizzle is created by blending half of the cooked apples with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, dates and water; this sauce is almost gelatinous, and adds even more sweetness to the bowl. It is absolutely delicious mixed in with the oatmeal.

There are a wide variety of toppings that would complement this bowl well, but I like to use chopped nuts, such as walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts, and then maple syrup and more cinnamon. Some other great ideas to top these bowls with would be dairy-free yogurt, brown sugar, fresh or dried fruit, or of course other types of chopped nuts.

And perhaps the best part!? This recipe is 100% oil and butter free. If you’ll notice, not even vegan butter is used in any of this. And unless you choose to top it with something sugary like maple syrup or brown sugar, there’s no added sugar, either. You’re truly going to be shocked at how indulgent this tastes, when it really couldn’t get much healthier. By skipping added sugars and fats, it offers a guilt-free way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie! So, the next time you crave something warm and comforting for breakfast, or anytime of the day, try out this Apple Pie Oatmeal recipe–it’s sure to become a new favorite.

Oatmeal: A staple in many households, oats serve as the base for this recipe. The oatmeal itself is blended dry to turn it into oat flour. Then, the oat flour is mixed with water and refrigerated overnight to transform it into a light, velvety consistency. This small step really changes the dish from a typical “oatmeal bowl,” but you can always skip this step if you prefer!

Apples: The apples add natural sweetness and a hint of tartness. They’re sliced and cooked on the stove with cinnamon, water and a dash of cornstarch or arrowroot powder until the apples are tender and have that syrup-y, compote-y effect of apple pie filling. They’re also super flavorful without having to add any sugar at all.

Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, and Allspice): A blend of these warm spices infuse the oatmeal bowl with that quintessential apple pie flavor.

Dates: Often described as “nature’s candy,” dates offer a healthier alternative to refined sugar. Blended with half of the cooked apples, they create a decadent caramel apple drizzle, enhancing the overall sweetness of the dish.

Optional additional toppings: Customize your bowl of Apple Pie Oatmeal with a variety of toppings such as chopped nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of more cinnamon. These additions not only add crunch and flavor but also boost the nutritional profile of these oatmeal bowls.

1. Prepare the oatmeal by pouring the dried oats into a blender and blending them by themselves to make an oat flour. Pour the oat flour into a bowl and mix with ½ C water. Put the bowl in the refrigerator to double in size overnight.

2. Make the stovetop cinnamon apples by combining the apple slices, ½ C water, 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder and a dash of cinnamon in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil, Stir, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer, keeping the lid on. Cook until the apples are very soft, checking and stirring often so they don’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan.

3. Once the apples are finished cooking, make the caramel apple drizzle by blending ½ of the cooked apples, ⅛ tsp each of cinnamon, ginger and allspice, ¼ C water and 6 dates together. Blend very well until smooth. Set aside.

4. Retrieve the oatmeal from the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. You’ll most likely need to stir in more water to thin it out a bit.

5. Once the oatmeal is reheated, top it with the baked apples, caramel apple drizzle, and optional additional toppings such as maple syrup, chopped walnuts and more cinnamon.