Cranberry Apple Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats have long anchored hearty American breakfasts with their chewy bite and slow simmer. Here, tart cranberries and Honeycrisp apple cook into the pot with maple and warming spices, finished with toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 35 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 385 cal
• 11g protein
• 62g carbs
• 12g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 large Honeycrisp apple
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the fresh cranberries and pick out any soft ones, then set half aside for finishing. Core and dice the apple into small bite-size pieces, leaving the skin on for color and texture.
2. 2Combine the steel-cut oats, water, milk, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring once or twice so nothing sticks.
3. 3Reduce the heat to low so the oats settle into a steady simmer. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the oats thicken and turn creamy.
4. 4Stir in the diced apple and half of the cranberries. Continue simmering for another 8 to 10 minutes until the apple softens slightly and the cranberries begin to burst and release bright red juices.
5. 5Taste and fold in the maple syrup. The oats should look glossy and spoonable; if they seem too thick, splash in a little more milk and warm through.
6. 6Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until they smell nutty and start to pop. Remove from the heat.
7. 7Ladle the hot oats into bowls. Scatter the remaining raw cranberries over the top for fresh tart pops against the warm porridge.
8. 8Finish each bowl with toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts, and fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately while the contrast of hot oats and cool cranberries is sharp.