Oatmeal is a fabulous way to start the day, but packaged varieties contain SO much added sugar. Skip the store-bought! This recipe is my son Charlie’s all-time favourite and has the perfect apple cinnamon sweetness.
Weekdays are nuts. Like really nuts. Anybody agree? Getting two kids out the door feels like pure mayhem most days! I’m UH-MAZED at you moms who all pull it off (especially for those of you with more than two kids), mommyhood isn’t for the weak! Now, let’s talk breakfast.
Charlie is one of those kids who can’t sit still, and meal times are no exception. If I had a nickel for every time that I asked him to sit down and take a bite… Knowing how challenging it is to get kids to eat, especially in the morning, makes it that much more important to find healthy breakfast foods that they LOVE!
Healthy Breakfast for Kids
Scrambled eggs with toast and some fruit is a common staple around our house, and this apple cinnamon oatmeal is his absolute favourite (he actually names it as his favourite food)! I’ve even packed it for his lunch in a Thermos container on days when he doesn’t eat it for breakfast and wants something other than a sandwich for lunch.
I make a big batch and warm up individual portions for a few days, which saves my sanity. Be warned, it does solidify when cooled. My kids are totally ok with it, we just heat it up in the microwave or on the stove in a small pot with a bit of extra water and sprinkle a tiny bit of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup on it and top it with whole milk. Done like ….breakfast!
Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast foods, but be aware of the pre-packaged varieties that contain added sugar (read the labels – click here for how to read a food label). Just to give you some context, every 4 grams of sugar that you see on the label equals 1 teaspoon. Oats are also gluten-free for those who don’t tolerate it, you just have to be sure to buy the oats that are marked gluten-free as they may otherwise be contaminated with gluten in the processing.
Oatmeal Health Benefits
Loaded with soluble fibre to keep you feeling full and satisfied (oatmeal is sometimes referred to as a ‘slow carbohydrate’ as it doesn’t make your blood sugar spike), this oatmeal is also a great source of many vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium and potassium and contains more protein than some other grains. I like using MacIntosh or Spartan apples best as they cook down nicely, but you can use any type of apple that you like.
Charlie’s Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Charles Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fabulous way to start the day, but packaged varieties contain SO much added sugar. Skip the store-bought! This recipe is my son Charlie's all-time favourite, and has the perfect apple cinnamon sweetness.
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups large flake oats
- 3 cups diced peeled apple
- 3/4 cups raisins
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the oats, apple, raisins and cinnamon and cook over medium heat for approximately 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Serve with a sprinkle of brown sugar or maple syrup and your favourite milk.
Thank you for the recipe, I can’t wait to try this! Do you use quick oats or old fashioned oats?
I used old fashioned oats!
Excellent! Thank you for sharing! You are very caring mom.
Thanks Alla!!
This is definitely a staple in our house!! My son loves it as well and I can pack some extra nutrition in it. I love making it with some nut milks for extra creamy ness and a ripe banana for natural sweetness. I have been known to sneak in steamed pureed cauliflower…no one can tell…haha!
Keep the easy mom recipes coming Tori, us mamas need them!
Oh wow that’s AWESOME that you can sneak in cauliflower nice work mama!
Hi! How many days can this be refrigerated for?
Thanks.
Hi Amanda, I usually find it’s ok in the fridge for 3-4 days
I was enjoying your article but the last paragraph seems to be a bit mixed up somehow, maybe a few sentences didn’t load properly? Thanks for sharing the recipe, sounds delicious!
Thanks for letting me know Kathryn I will check it out!
This sounds yummy! Do you have the nutritional facts, or a place to find them? I’m keeping track for my diabetes…
I’m so sorry I don’t! I plan on getting someone to help me put these in down the road.
Thanks for posting this , my little girl loves it and it is super easy to make!
Thanks Savanna I’m happy she likes it!!
Yum! I love oatmeal.. I dunno if you this too, but my Oma recommends pouring hot water over the raisins so it’s soft before adding to the oatmeal 🙂
Hi Jen that’s a great suggestion – I find that you don’t need to do that when you add the raisins in while cooking which is a nice shortcut!
This may very well be an odd question but how do the apples and raisins come out after being in the water for 10 minutes? Are they mushy/soggy at all?
Hi Brittany!
They are soft but not soggy – you can wait a bit to add them in half way though cooking the oatmeal if you like them firmer!
Tori
Would this work with quick oats as well? Or do they have to be old fashioned?
Yes you can use quick oats it will just cook quicker! I’m not sure if you would need to adjust the water but I would give it a whirl!
What would you change if using steel cut oats? Wait a little longer to add apples and raisins?
Hi Kim, yes I would just add the raisins and apples in half way through cooking – would be DELICIOUS with steel cut oats!
I just made this oatmeal it’s fabulous!! never thought to cook the apples in it! 🍎👌🏻I have lots left over, can I refrigerate it for the next day?
Thank you April and yes you can!
Just made this for my girls and they LOVE it! Thanks Tori.
Thanks Mikaela that is awesome!
So yummy! I’m not usually an oatmeal fan but this recipe is delicious!
This is definitely a good to in our house although I make mine a bit different!
I add water n raisins with a chopped apple n cook until apples are done. Then I mix oatmeal with flax meal n cook until done …3-5 mins! Add brown sugar with milk and a bit of cream!! So yummy .. I could never go back to just eating oatmeal!
Thanks for sharing Wanda, sounds delish!
Made this for the family this morning! Everyone enjoyed a hearty and cozy bowl of comfort! And the house smells wonderful!