Creamy Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Toasted Pecans

Steel-cut oats earn their hearty chew from a slow simmer that keeps them creamy yet toothsome. Here they are toasted first, then cooked with cinnamon, diced apple, and maple, and finished with warm toasted pecans.

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 30 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 365 cal
• 10g protein
• 54g carbs
• 14g fat
• 7g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter or coconut oil
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk or oat milk
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, diced
• 1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• as needed extra milk for serving

Instructions

1. 1Melt the butter in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the steel-cut oats and toast, stirring constantly, until they smell nutty and a few grains turn a shade darker, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. 2Pour in the water and milk carefully (it will steam). Add the salt, cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low so the mixture maintains a gentle simmer.
3. 3Cover partially and cook, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking on the bottom, until the oats are tender with a pleasant chew and the liquid is mostly absorbed, 22 to 25 minutes.
4. 4While the oats cook, place the chopped pecans in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Toast, shaking the pan often, until fragrant and a shade darker, 3 to 4 minutes. Tip onto a plate and toss with the remaining cinnamon and the brown sugar while still warm.
5. 5In the last 5 minutes of oat cooking, stir the diced apple into the pot so it softens slightly but still holds shape.
6. 6When the oatmeal reaches your preferred thickness, remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla. If it seems too thick, loosen with a splash of extra milk.
7. 7Ladle into four bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cinnamon-sugar pecans and an optional drizzle of more maple syrup or milk.
8. 8Serve hot. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of milk the next morning.