Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats have a chewier bite than rolled oats, and cooking them with apple right in the pot means the fruit softens into the oats instead of sitting on top. This is a good option for anyone who finds overnight oats too soft or mushy.

Steel-cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats, but the texture is worth the extra twenty minutes if you're not a fan of how soft overnight oats get. Apple cooked right into the pot flavors the whole batch instead of just sitting as a topping.

Walnuts added at the end keep their crunch, which is a nice contrast to the creamy texture of the oats. This reheats well with a splash of milk, bringing it back to that same just-cooked consistency.

The recipe card has the full ingredient breakdown and cook time for all ten portions. Let the oats cool before dividing them into containers, then refrigerate what you'll eat within four days and freeze the rest. Add a splash of milk when reheating to loosen them back up.

Nutrition note: This is general food information, not individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats

YIELD

10 portions

ESTIMATED NUTRITION

515 calories • 18g protein • 79g carbs • 15g fat per portion

What I really like about this recipe is the chewier texture steel-cut oats have compared to my usual rolled oats.

Ingredients

• 5 cups steel-cut oats

• 7 1/2 cups milk

• 5 apples, diced

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 3 tbsp honey

• 3 tsp cinnamon

• pinch of salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine the oats, milk, diced apple, cinnamon, and salt in a pot.

2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy.

3. Stir in honey and vanilla.

4. Let the food cool briefly, then divide it evenly among 10 airtight meal-prep containers. Top with walnuts just before eating.

Meal-prep notes: Refrigerate promptly and use refrigerated portions within 3–4 days; freeze any portions you will not eat in that window. Reheat gently with a splash of milk to loosen it. Nutrition is estimated per portion.