_{Updated 05.16.25}

Many say, me included, that breakfast may be the most important meal of the day. I believe wholeheartedly that it is, and I remember only skipping breakfast a few times. In all honesty, I could easily eat a large breakfast every day. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, bread, fruit, juice, milk, coffee etc., but I don’t. Why not? Too many calories, too time-consuming and too expensive to be totally honest.

Key Ingredient in This Recipe

Ingredients to make Apple Cherry Steel-Cut Oatmeal

You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.

Steel-cut oats
Apples – you can use any type of apple you like; they provide natural sugars and thus sweetness to this oatmeal
Dried cherries – dried fruits add a chewy texture. If you don’t have cherries, try cranberries, dates or apricots.
Cinnamon
Hazelnuts – almonds are a good alternative and so are walnuts, or pecans. You can also sprinkle some toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

When you like chewy grains, you will like steel-cut oats. Steel cut oats are whole grain oat kernels without a husk, that were cut into smaller pieces using a steel blade. They are coarser than rolled oats and chewier, even when they are cooked, you’ll have something to chew on. There are other types of oats you can use as well, take you pick.

How to Make Apple Cherry Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Step 1 – Cook/roast the steel-cut oats in a dry pan, over low heat, for just a few minutes until fragrant. It will enhance the flavor of your breakfast.

Step 2 - Then add water, or milk if you prefer. Also add the peeled and chopped apples, dried cherries, cinnamon and salt. Simmer until done.

Step 2 – Then add water, or milk if you prefer. Also add the peeled and chopped apples, dried cherries, cinnamon and salt. I used Granny Smith, because I love tart apples. When you prefer sweeter apples, use those or a mix of tart and sweet.

Bring mixture to a simmer and simmer for about 25-30 minutes. Stir frequently, as you want to avoid that the oats stick to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3 – Your breakfast is ready when the oats are creamy and have fully absorbed the water and the juices of the apples. The cherries are also soft, as they absorbed the liquid as well.

Step 4 – Turn off the heat and allow the oatmeal to cool just a little bit. Taste it – be careful not to burn your tongue! Depending on your preference, you may want to add something sweet, like brown sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Step 5 – Divide over 2 bowls. Sprinkle with chopped roasted hazelnuts, pecans or pumpkin seeds or your favorite nut. You can also add some protein powder if you like a high protein breakfast.

Hand holding bowl of apple cherry steel-cut oatmeal

This recipe creates a dairy-free, vegan (if you’re not using honey), sugar-free (if you’re not adding sugar) and gluten-free (if you’re using gluten-free steel-cut oats) breakfast.

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