This healthy maple apple and walnut oatmeal is a great breakfast comfort food. Warming cinnamon, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and hearty oats make this a filling breakfast that’s ready in under 10 minutes.
What’s better than a good breakfast?
I’m a morning person, and breakfast is a big part of why. I share the same sentiments as the great Leslie Knope:
“Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?”
(Psst: there’s a video compilation of Leslie’s best breakfast moments at the bottom of this post)
But back to nutrition things…
It’s important to get enough fiber, protein, and carbohydrates in your first meal of the day to keep you full throughout the morning. Otherwise, it’s easy to go for the candy bowl at work…which, while a great place to get an occasional treat, is not exactly a nutrient-dense alternative to a filling breakfast.
This maple apple and walnut oatmeal has a good balance of those nutrients:
–walnuts are a good source of healthy omega-3 fats
–apples are high in antioxidants and fiber
–oats are full of whole grains, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates
In addition to these items in this recipe, you could add some of the following for more protein, fat, and/or fiber:
-chia seeds
-flax seeds
–hemp seeds
-pumpkin seeds
-raisins
Other Ways to Prepare Maple Apple & Walnut Oatmeal
You can also prep these as overnight oats. Instead of preparing the oats according to the package instructions, combine 1/2 cup of oats with enough milk (or water) to where it just passes the oatmeal in a jar or bowl (about 1/2 cup). You can go ahead and chop the apple, but it will be freshest if you do so in the morning. Add whatever toppings you like and leave it in the fridge overnight!
If you want to prepare this as a baked oatmeal, check out this recipe from Taste of Home. This is a base recipe that you can add whatever you’d like to. I’d estimate that you would want to add another apple and about a cup or so more of chopped walnuts, but baked oatmeal is pretty forgiving when it comes to toppings, so don’t fret!
If you try another one of these methods, let me know in the comments section so we can all benefit from your experience!
That’s all for this post, ’til next time!
Maple Apple & Walnut Oatmeal
Equipment
- small bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 c old-fashioned oats oats are naturally gluten free, but if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance I'd recommend using gluten-free oats
- 1 red gala apple, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup or raw local honey
- 1/2 c walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare oatmeal according to package instructions.
- Add cinnamon and maple syrup to cooked oatmeal and stir until combined.
- Top with chopped apples and walnuts. Sprinkle with more cinnamon if desired.
- Enjoy warm with milk, coffee or tea.
Notes
- chia seed
- flax seed
- unsalted butter
- nutmeg
- raisins
- chopped pitted dates
- pumpkin seeds
Like easy and healthy breakfast recipes? Try my chia seed pudding!
For more about how oats are naturally gluten-free, see this article by the Celiac Foundation.
