Spiced Gingerbread Oatmeal with Easy Caramelized Apples
This quick and easy spiced gingerbread oatmeal recipe is the perfect way to warm up on a cold December morning. This oatmeal combines classic gingerbread spices with rich maple syrup and caramelized apples for a hearty and decadent breakfast.
The weather has turned chilly here, and although I always hate to see summer go, my mind immediately starts turning into full on holiday mode. The last few months of the year always seem to fly by, but boy are the packed with all kinds of fun (and delicious!) things.
Ahem, may I introduce you to gingerbread oatmeal?
Spiced with warm flavors, it makes the perfect breakfast on any cold December morning. It would also make a delicious and easy Christmas morning breakfast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm spices add delicious flavor: Generous amounts of ground ginger and cinnamon plus nutmeg, cloves, molasses, and brown sugar supply this oatmeal with cozy, comforting flavors.
- Hearty and nutritious: Oats are packed full of good for you vitamins, including B1, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and more. Apples provide fiber and antioxidants.
- Quick and easy: This oatmeal can be thrown together and served in less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy mornings, or those mornings when you don’t feel like being in the kitchen, but still want something delicious!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Oats: I used rolled organic rolled oats in this recipe. You can use rolled, old fashioned, or quick oats. Cooking times will vary.
- Spices: This recipe calls for a combination of spices to get that classic gingerbread flavor, similar to a gingerbread cookie. You’ll need cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Milk: I used 2% reduced fat milk in this recipe. Whole milk would also work great. You could also substitute oat milk or almond milk for a dairy free option.
- Maple Syrup: An absolute must in this recipe, for both the apples and the oatmeal.
- Apples: Use whatever you like or have on hand. Today I used my favorite honey crisp apples.
- Garnishes: I always like to garnish my oatmeal with a little extra something. An extra drizzle of maple syrup, sprinkle of cinnamon, and dollop of vanilla yogurt are all yummy (and recommended!) options.
How to Make Gingerbread Oatmeal
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, spices, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and then bring to a boil over high heat. Once the mixture begins to boil, add the oats, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently so the oats don’t burn.
- While the oatmeal is cooking, begin slicing the apple thinly, or dice into small cubes if preferred. Add 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup to a small pan, heating on medium-low. Place the apples directly onto the maple syrup, swirling them around to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are completely coated and caramelized. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Remove cooked oatmeal from the heat and let stand for 2 minutes. Add in 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup, stirring to combine. Taste the oatmeal and adjust the flavors to your liking. You may decide it needs more maple syrup, another splash of milk, or extra cinnamon.
- Serve the cooked oatmeal with a splash or two of additional milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla yogurt (my personal favorite!). Place the sliced caramelized apples along the top of the oatmeal. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Keep a close eye on the oatmeal as its cooking. The oats can easily burn on the bottom of the pan if the temperature is too high and its not stirred frequently.
- Cooking times will vary if using quick oats. They will cook much faster than old fashioned or rolled oats.
- You can use brown sugar in place of maple syrup in this recipe.
- If you’re cooking for a crowd, this recipe easily doubles.
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FAQs and Storage
Yes! One serving of oatmeal is packed full of calcium, iron, and fiber, among other things.
Oats are naturally gluten free. Make sure to check for a certified gluten-free label, as they can come into contact with gluten during processing.
Craving More Recipes?
Check out these reader favorites, straight from my log cabin kitchen.
- Maple Pecan Granola
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- Glazed Orange Scones
- Chocolate Sweet Rolls
- Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
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Spiced Gingerbread Oatmeal
This quick and easy spiced gingerbread oatmeal recipe is the perfect way to warm up on a cold December morning. This oatmeal combines classic gingerbread spices with rich maple syrup and caramelized apples for a hearty and decadent breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- Extra cinnamon, maple syrup for garnish
Caramelized Apples
- 1 apple, diced or sliced thin
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, spices, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and then bring to a boil over high heat. Once the mixture begins to boil, add the oats, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently so the oats don't burn.
- While the oatmeal is cooking, begin slicing the apple thinly, or dice into small cubes if preferred. Add 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup to a small pan, heating on medium-low. Place the apples directly onto the maple syrup, swirling them around to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are completely coated and caramelized. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Remove cooked oatmeal from the heat and let stand for 2 minutes. Add in 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup, stirring to combine. Taste the oatmeal and adjust the flavors to your liking. You may decide it needs more maple syrup, another splash of milk, or extra cinnamon.
- Serve the cooked oatmeal with a splash or two of additional milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla yogurt (my personal favorite!). Place the sliced caramelized apples along the top of the oatmeal. Enjoy!
Notes
If you loved this recipe for spiced gingerbread oatmeal, make sure to come back and leave a comment and a 5 star rating! Tag me on Instagram with your creations @ourhandcraftedhomeblog.
