Whenever I go out for brunch, I have the hardest time choosing what I should have. Should I pick something sweet or something savory? Oatmeal, yogurt with granola, or omelet? My husband always convinces me not to order yogurt or oatmeal since I eat it all the time but I still find myself craving it on the weekends. At my last breakfast outing at Besaw's in Portland, I just couldn't resist and ended up ordering oatmeal. My husband didn't approve but once I had a bite, I was so glad I listened to my gut! It was by far the best oatmeal I have ever had. I still think about it all the time and so I had to make my own version at home. Here is the best oatmeal you will ever have, apple cider oatmeal with caramelized apples, Greek yogurt, and homemade granola.

Print Recipe

Apple Cider Oatmeal with Caramelized Apples

Total Time30 mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: oatmeal

Servings: 2

Author: Cherry on My Sundae

Ingredients

Granola

• 1 cup oats
• 2 tablespoon sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 teaspoon oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Caramelized apples

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups apples peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Apple cider oatmeal

• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup milk
• pinch of salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Remaining ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• honey optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Make the granola. Toss together 1 cup oats with 2 tablespoon sliced almonds, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together ¼ cup honey with 2 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and stir to combine.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Spread the oats in an even layer and bake for 15 minutes. Stir the granola and bake another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, stir the granola, and let cool.
• Meanwhile, make the caramelized apples. Melt 2 tablespoon butter in a non-stick saute pan over medium heat. Add 2 cups chopped apples, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Stir to mix and reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until the apples have softened, about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Prepare the oatmeal. Combine 1 cup oats with 1 cup apple cider, 1 cup milk, a pinch of salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes or until creamy. Remove from heat.
• Portion the oatmeal into 2 bowls. Top with the caramelized apples, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, granola, and a drizzle of honey. Serve warm.

**Helpful tips and common mistakes

This apple cider oatmeal may look like a lot of work but it comes together quickly. Start by making the granola. You can always buy premade granola or make it days in advance. This is a pretty simple granola recipe using honey as a sweetener and adding almonds in the mix. Feel free to swap the almonds for other nuts or using a combination, adding coconut, dried fruit, or even chocolate chips. That's the great thing about granola, it's so versatile and always tastes great.

While the granola is cooling, make the caramelized apples. Slowly cook the apples in butter and brown sugar, spicing it up with a little bit of cinnamon. It's really starting to smell like fall in the kitchen now!

Now it's finally time to make the oatmeal. You can use rolled oats, quick oats, or steel-cut oats, just make sure to increase or decrease the cooking time for quick or steel-cut oats. Simmer the oats in milk and apple cider with a pinch of salt and cinnamon until creamy. You can also swap the milk for almond, soy, coconut, or whatever milk your heart desires.

Portion the oatmeal into bowls and top with the caramelized apples, Greek yogurt, granola, and a drizzle of honey. This apple cider oatmeal was really the most perfect breakfast dish for me because it combines two of my favorites: yogurt and oatmeal. It may sound like an odd combination but it's a match made in heaven. The tart yogurt with crunchy granola, sweet apples, and creamy oatmeal is just divine. I am literally drooling as I am writing this. In fact, I think I'll go help myself to another bowl right now.

For more apple inspiration check out this apple cardamom cake with pistachio cream!