Cranberry Apple Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats earn their keep with a nutty chew that slow mornings love, especially when simmered with tart fresh cranberries and crisp Honeycrisp apple. Maple, cinnamon, and ginger turn the pot into cozy American breakfast comfort you can make ahead.

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 30 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 385 cal
• 9g protein
• 62g carbs
• 13g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 large, diced Honeycrisp apple
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the fresh cranberries and pick out any soft ones. Dice the apple into small bite-size pieces, leaving the skin on for color and fiber.
2. 2Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced apple and cook, stirring often, until the edges soften and turn lightly golden, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. 3Stir in the fresh cranberries, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Cook another 2 minutes until some cranberries begin to burst and release bright juice.
4. 4Pour in the water and milk, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
5. 5Stir in the steel-cut oats and reduce the heat to low so the liquid maintains a steady simmer.
6. 6Cover partially and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking on the bottom. The oats should thicken and turn creamy while remaining pleasantly chewy.
7. 7Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust warmth of spice if needed.
8. 8Let the oats rest off heat for 3 minutes so they finish absorbing liquid and the cranberry flavor blooms.
9. 9Spoon into bowls and top each serving with a scatter of toasted pecans for crunch.
10. 10Serve immediately while hot, or cool and portion into containers for quick weekday reheats with a splash of milk.