Slow down and fuel your body with a deliciously sweet and savory bowl of creamy goodness with this Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe. Made with a luxe apple cinnamon topping, it's both a treat and a way to fuel your body with nutrient-rich energy! It uses almond milk and almond butter, resulting in the perfect creamy texture.

creamy apple oatmeal in a white bowl with silver spoon

A Quick Look

Recipe Name: Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe
Ready In: 40 minutes
Serves: 8 servings
Main Ingredients: rolled oats, almond milk, maple syrup, solid coconut oil, almond butter, cinnamon, pinch salt
Why You'll Love It: Slow down and fuel your body with a deliciously sweet and savory bowl of creamy goodness with this Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe. Made with a luxe apple cinnamon topping, it's both a treat and a way to fuel your body with nutrient-rich energy! It uses almond milk and almond butter, resulting in the perfect creamy texture.

The perfect creamy stove top oatmeal

When it comes to making oatmeal, it can be a bit tricky to get the recipe to the perfect texture. Sometimes it ends up too watery and other times it winds up way too thick. So, how do you get the perfect creamy oatmeal? Well, the answer is in this recipe.

Today I’m showing you how to make the most delicious stovetop oatmeal recipe. Made with rolled oats, almond milk, maple syrup, and almond butter, this recipe is made with healthier ingredients that taste absolutely delicious.

We’ll be topping it with a delicious maple syrup and cinnamon apple blend that is absolutely mouthwatering. The flavor is unreal!

This is guaranteed to be one of your favorite oatmeal recipes — it's perfectly creamy and filled with delicious flavor in every bite! Plus, it's packed with nutrients like fiber, protein, and magnesium.

Photo of ingredients for Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe with labels.

Ingredients in this stovetop oatmeal recipe

These stovetop oats come together in two parts. First, we have a set of ingredients for the oatmeal base, and then we’ve got four ingredients that are going to create the most delicious apple topping.

Oatmeal Base

Rolled oats: This recipe begins with 1 cup of rolled oats. Be sure to check the label if you're looking for a gluten free option (sometimes oats come in contact with gluten during processing).
Almond milk: 3.5 cups of almond milk is going to help the oatmeal reach the perfect texture. Be sure to measure it out closely, as oatmeal needs just the right amount of liquid. You can also use dairy milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk if preferred! (Side note — did you know almond milk contains lots of calcium as well as some vitamin C and potassium?)
Maple syrup: Next, sweeten things up by adding 2 tablespoon of maple syrup.
Coconut oil: 2 tablespoon of coconut oil will help us get the right texture. Be sure to use solid (not melted) coconut oil.
Almond butter: 1 tablespoon of almond butter will work to thicken up the oatmeal. I love almond butter, but any nut butter is fine!
Cinnamon: Add some extra flavor with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This makes a big difference!
Salt: Finally, finish off the oatmeal base with a pinch of salt.

Apple Topping

Apples: The apple topping is made with a base of 2 deliciously juicy honeycrisp apples. They need to be peeled and chopped before using.
Coconut oil: Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to help create a sort of syrupy finish.
Maple syrup: Sweeten things up with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
Cinnamon: Last but not least, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon completes the apple topping!

Kitchen tools used to make creamy oatmeal

This recipe is pretty simple as far as kitchen tools go. Below is a list including everything you'll need:

Cutting board
Knife
Sauce pot
Stirring utensil
Sauce pan
Spatula

To measure out ingredients, you will need the following measuring cup sizes: ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ½ cup, and 1 cup.

Instructions for making this stovetop oatmeal recipe

One of the great things about this recipe is that prep is simple and it’s actually quite easy to throw together. Everything is made on the stove in two pots and the total cook time is less than 20 minutes. When all is said and done, this recipe yields eight heaping servings.

First, grab a sauce pot and add the rolled oats and almond milk. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let simmer while stirring occasionally. Let the oats cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until they're creamy. Turn off the heat.

Next, add the maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until everything is combined and very creamy.

Set a saucepan over medium heat and add the coconut oil. Then add the chopped apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir everything together with a spatula and let cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the apples have softened.

Finally, distribute the oatmeal into bowls and top with the cinnamon apples.

creamy apple oatmeal in bowls with spoons

How is this recipe healthier?

When it came to creating this oatmeal recipe, I knew that I wanted to make it with the healthiest ingredients possible. To do that I used a few key substitutes, swapping out the less-than-great ingredients for some that are filled with more nutrients.

Almond milk
First up is the almond milk. Regular milk will work just fine and in this recipe, but I like to use almond milk for its flavor and nutritional content.

Maple syrup
Next, the maple syrup is swapped in to replace regular granulated sugar. The swap is super easy to make, it tastes delicious, and it’s lower glycemic (meaning it won’t boost blood sugar the same way regular sugar does). It works as a wonderful sweetener!

Almond butter
Almond butter is a great substitute for peanut butter. It tends to have a bit more nutrients, and it tastes so yummy with the maple syrup. I recommend using an all natural version for the best possible ingredients.

creamy apple oatmeal n bowls with spoons

Recipe Tips

Can I make oatmeal with water?

Though you can make oatmeal with water, I don't usually recommend it! Using milk to make oatmeal is a big component in achieving the right texture. It also contributes to the flavor!

What can I add to oatmeal for texture?

To make oatmeal crunchier or to simply add a bit of texture, you can add ingredients like nuts, extra nut butter, or even some fruit.

What is the best way to make oatmeal thicker?

If your oatmeal isn't thick, the best thing to do is let it continue simmering for a few extra minutes. This will usually do the trick. If not, you can also mix in an extra spoonful of nut butter!

Why are my oats not getting soft?

The answer for this is actually similar to the last! If your oats still feel hard, they likely need to cook for a few more minutes.

What else can I add on top of my oatmeal?

To enjoy some extra toppings, consider adding bananas, nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), raisins, honey, an extra maple syrup drizzle, chia seeds, or an extra sprinkling of cinnamon or brown sugar! On a related note, you can also add a couple of drops of vanilla extract for added flavor.

If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!

Are you interested in some more oatmeal recipes? No matter what flavor you’re craving, there is a recipe for that! Check out these oatmeal ideas for a tasty way to start your mornings.

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

Erin Antoniak