Steel cut oats are flavored with pure maple syrup, chopped walnuts and crisp apples to create a bowl of breakfast perfection.
Is there anything better than pure, fresh maple syrup? Golden in color and caramel in flavor, it is one of my favorite ways to naturally sweeten muffins, yogurt, pancakes and of course, oatmeal.
Yesterday I celebrated my birthday with a picture perfect Fall day complete with apple orchards, farm stands and pumpkin patches. The sun was shining and the air was crisp. Truly, I could not have asked for a better way to spend my birthday than enjoying my favorite season with my family.
In honor of spending many more birthdays together, I created this healthy and delicious bowl of steel cut oats full of protein, fiber and antioxidants. In addition to spending one of the best years of my life watching my little boy grow from newborn to toddler, I am also celebrating another milestone: After losing close to 60 pounds this past year, I am officially the smallest I have ever been in my adult life.
It feels so good knowing that I am setting a positive example of a healthy lifestyle for my son. Fitting into skinny jeans doesn’t feel so bad either. ;-)
Thank you for sharing the past year with me. Cheers to 32!
- 1 c steel cut oats
- 2 c milk fat free
- 2 c water
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 2 apples cored and diced
- 1/4 c walnuts chopped
- 1/4 c flax seed meal
- 1/4 c toasted wheat germ
- 2 tbs pure maple syrup
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In a medium sauce pot, whisk milk, water, vanilla, salt and spices (cinnamon through cloves) over medium heat. Whisk frequently until mixture begins to bubble around the edges.
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Once liquid is bubbling lightly, stir in steel cut oats. Return pot to a boil then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.
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About 2 minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in apples, walnuts, flax and wheat germ.
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Serve with maple syrup on top.
Terri Herbstrieth
Hi Liz, have all the ingredients for this yummy oatmeal, but need directions on cooking in a slow cooker since I’m without a kitchen at the moment. I have never made oatmeal in a slow cooker so I’m clueless as to go about it. Do I just dump everything in and let it cook for 8 hours or do I need to reserve some of the liquids and add at the end? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m losing my edge on healthy breakfast during my kitchen addition. Thanks, Terri
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Terri – Yes I would add everything in the beginning including the liquid. Also it might be smart to spray the insert with a little cooking spray for easy clean up in the morning. Let me know how it turns out!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Congrats on skinny jeans!! Love oatmeal & the warm spices that pairs so well with apples!!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much! I could eat oatmeal daily!!
Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama
Happy belated birthday! And congrats on the skinny jeans :) The oatmeal looks great. I eat oatmeal for breakfast pretty much every day.
The Lemon Bowl
Thank you Jamie!! I do, too. It’s the best! What do you put on yours?
Soni
Belated Happy Birthday!I’m a big oatmeal lover too and with all these lovely warm spices in there I bet the oatmeal tastes divine :)
The Lemon Bowl
Let me know if you try it!! One of my favs!
The Squishy Monster
I adore pure maple syrup too! I was that silly finicky kid that would reject the false smiling face of Aunt Jemima because she knew she wasn’t real! LOL…great bowl of warmth and comfort for breakfast!
The Lemon Bowl
Oh my goodness that is hilarious!!!! I don’t blame you one bit.