This Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the ultimate cozy breakfast for crisp, chilly mornings! Made with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts, it's everything you want in a comforting fall breakfast.
5 Star Reviews
Kate writes "Delicious! I subbed maple syrup for the brown sugar and used almond milk for the milk. I accidentally cooked for 10 minutes (this is what happens when you are talking on the phone while meal prepping), but it was delicious regardless" ★★★★★
Sheetu writes "Lovely morning breakfast recipe. Thank you. I just cooked with water and while serving added oat milk." ★★★★★
Making rolled oats in the instant pot is quick, hands-off, and delivers perfectly creamy results—no stove-watching or spills! With tender apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts in every bite, this apple cinnamon oats is a cozy, delicious way to start your morning, especially in the Fall season. It is like apple pie in the form of oatmeal!
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🍎 Why You’ll Love This Apple Oatmeal Recipe
This recipe is tried, tested, and foolproof—no burn warning, no hassle! After lots of testing, I found a few easy tricks to make creamy oatmeal right in the instant pot (no need for the pot-in-pot method).
Here’s the key: Apples are made up of about 86% water, which helps release enough moisture as they cook. By layering the ingredients and pouring the milk on top without stirring, you avoid it sticking to the bottom and burning. It’s an easy, cozy breakfast you can count on every time!
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Best apples for oatmeal
The best apples to use when making oatmeal porridge are varieties such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, or Granny Smith —they hold their shape under pressure and add great texture and flavor.
Avoid softer types like Red Delicious, which tend to break down too much when cooked. That said, if you love eating an apple fresh, it’ll likely taste great in oats too—use what you have!
Ingredients you'll need to make apple oats
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Oats - Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for this apple cinnamon oatmeal, as they cook evenly under pressure and yield a creamy, hearty texture. If you're gluten-sensitive, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats. Avoid steel-cut oats—they take longer to cook and won’t give you the soft, porridge-like consistency you're looking for here. Quick-cooking oats can turn mushy under pressure.
- Apple - Best apples for oatmeal are crisp and slightly sweet-tart apple varieties such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, or Granny Smith. These hold their shape well and add both texture and flavor to the oatmeal. That said, any apple you enjoy eating fresh will likely work just fine—so feel free to use what you have on hand!
- Milk - Whole milk adds richness and gives the oatmeal a luxuriously creamy porridge texture. If you're looking for a dairy-free option, almond milk or oat milk is a great substitute.
- Sweetener - Golden brown sugar enhances the fall vibes with its warm, caramel-like flavor, which pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apple. For a more natural or refined sugar-free option, maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar are great alternatives.
- Spice - The classic combination of apple and cinnamon never fails. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg if you want to add more apple pie vibes.
Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 apples core removed and cut into chunks
- 1 cup old fashioned oats or rolled oats
- 2 cups water
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 + ½ cups milk divided
- ¼ cup brown sugar or to taste
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or as needed
Instructions
- Heat instant pot to saute. When hot, add butter and let melt.Tip: Butter not only enhances the flavor but also aids in preventing sticking by providing an additional layer of fat.
- Add chopped apples and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add oats and continue sautéing for another minute. Press cancel, add water, ground cinnamon and salt. Stir well.Tip - Toasting oats in butter adds a delicious nutty flavor and enhances the taste exponentially!
- Pour 1 cup milk on top. Tip- Gently pour 1 cup of milk on top without stirring. This step is crucial to prevent the dairy from directly contacting the base, which could lead to scorching.
- Close and lock lid (making sure that valve is set to seal), cook on manual for 7 minutes. When cooking time is done, let instant pot be in warm mode for 10 minutes.
- Release pressure (but turning valve to vent), open, add remaining milk (if needed), brown sugar and chopped walnuts. Stir and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make apple cinnamon oatmeal?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Pro tip: This apple & cinnamon oats recipe has been tested in both 3-quart and 8-quart instant pots.
Easy Substitutions & Tasty Variations
Whether you're working with pantry staples or adjusting for dietary needs, this apple with oatmeal is flexible and customizable. Here are a few simple ways to make it your own:
- Swap the sweetener: Switch up the brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal. Use maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar in place of brown sugar for a naturally sweet twist.
- Change up the fruit: No apples? Try pears for a cozy instant pot breakfast for Fall or Winter.
- Spice it up: Along with cinnamon, feel free to add ground cloves, allspice, or a touch of freshly grated nutmeg for extra warmth and depth.
- Make it gluten-free: Just use certified gluten-free rolled oats instead.
- Nut alternatives: Chopped walnuts add crunch and richness, but toasted pecans or sliced almonds work just as well.
- Nut-free: For a nut-free version, simply skip the walnuts.
- Dairy-free: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy free milk.
Storage & Reheating
This brown sugar apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe is perfect to be doubled using a larger pressure cooker so you have a healthy breakfast prepped in the fridge. Let the cooked oats cool to room temperature and refrigerate in small air-tight containers for up to 4 days.
Reheat - When ready to eat, warm in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it reaches your preferred temperature. You might need to add an extra splash of milk or water because the oats tend to thicken up when refrigerated.
More Apple & Cinnamon Breakfast Recipes to Fall in Love With 🍎
For a crisp fall morning, these comforting apple recipes for breakfast are packed with warmth, flavor, and just the right amount of spice.
- Apple Cinnamon Bread is a moist, buttery loaf packed with two whole juicy apples. It’s just sweet enough and delivers that unmistakable “fall in a loaf pan” flavor.
- Healthy Apple Crumble features tender cinnamon apples under a golden almond flour and pecan topping. This naturally gluten-free dessert is easy to make and feels indulgent.
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins bake up tall with domed, golden tops and a deliciously spiced interior.
- Air Fryer Baked Apples are an incredibly easy air fryer breakfast that’s big on flavor thanks to two clever shortcuts.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Hannah
I don’t have a manual button it’s only other option is pressure cook what do I do
Maria Doss
pressure cook
Maria Doss
Some instant pots have it as "manual" and some as "pressure cook". Both function the same way. Hope it helps:)
Charissa
This looks so good! I am really getting into Instant pot oatmeal! My question is, can I make this with 2 cups of rolled oats but use the same amount of water/milk? I had great success with 2 cups of rolled oats and 1 can of coconut milk and about 3 and a half cups of water in a other recipe. Also, if I do double the oatmeal, can I keep the same amount of apples? We don't like our oatmeal too appley. Lol TIA!
Maria Doss
Hi Charissa, You can totally double the recipe without doubling the apples. The cooked apples tend to add release moisture, so I would recommend adding an additional 1/4 cup or so liquid to compensate for that. And, the cooking time need not altered, since the instant pot will automatically take longer to come to pressure. Hope it helps, Maria
Theresa
Have you tried a non-dairy milk with this recipe? Sounds yummy!!!
Maria Doss
Hi Teresa, I don't have any readers trying with a non-dairy milk, but I don't see any issues with using it. However, if you are using a milk with higher fat content (like coconut milk), then I would suggest replacing half the milk with water. hope it helps, Maria
Jake Courchene-Roy
When you cook on manual, is that at high pressure or normal?
Maria Doss
Hi Jake, It is Normal pressure - Maria
Wendy
@Maria Doss, Thanks for this recipe! I have Pressure Cook and High Pressure or Low Pressure options. I'm trying my first attempt at this recipe on Low Pressure. 🤞
Maria Doss
Hi Wendy, It would be normal pressure, Maria
Justina Perea
@Maria Doss, I too only have high and low pressure options . Is low pressure considered "normal"?
Maria Doss
Hi Justina,
I would say go with the low pressure especially when cooking oatmeal, Maria
Kate
Delicious! I subbed maple syrup for the brown sugar and used almond milk for the milk. I accidentally cooked for 10 minutes (this is what happens when you are talking on the phone while meal prepping), but it was delicious regardless.
Maria Doss
Hi Kate, Glad you liked the oatmeal, Maria
SHEETU
Lovely morning breakfast recipe. Thank you. I just cooked with water and while serving added oat milk.
Maria Doss
That sounds wonderful, Maria
KP
Has anyone tried the porridge button to cook this? Maria what do you think?
Maria Doss
Hi, Porridge button is sometimes used when working with steel cut oats. I do not have any readers try when using rolled or old fashion oats. I'm sorry that I'm not able to offer much help, Maria
Ashley
I made this recipe and from start to finish with waiting for warming times and preheating it took 37 minutes. Turned out very well. Definitely making again. We did swap out brown sugar for maple syrup. Next time we will try a natural release since that's what the instructions on the instant pot recommend for oats.
Maria Doss
Hi Ashley, I like the idea of using maple syrup instead. Hope the natural release method works quicker, Maria
Kim
This had way to much liquid. Did not add the last 1/2 cup of milk. Think could have reduced amount of water
Maria Doss
Hi Kim, Thank you for the feedback, Maria
Lillian
Can I use a stovetop pressure cooker for this recipe?
Maria Doss
Hi Lillian, Of course! Saute apples and then oats in a hot pressure cooker (over medium heat), as mentioned in the recipe. Stir in milk and water (increase water by an additional 1/2 cup), pressure cook (about 5 mins in low heat after the first whistle) and let pressure drop naturally. Open, stir in brown sugar and walnuts. Adjust milk/water based on your desired thickness. Hope it helps and apologies for a late reply. Wishing you a wonderful new year - Maria
Courtney
I've successfully made this recipe at least 3 times but the last 2 times my IP has given me the burn warning. 🙁 I don't stir the milk and follow the recipe exactly. Not sure what I'm doing differently that would cause this. Also, once it starts to burn is there any way to salvage it?
Maria Doss
Hmm...does you instant pot work well for other dishes - Maria
Martha
I have a pressure cooker and it has low med and high. I cooked it on low. And I only had 1 cup of oatmeal which I was happy you have a recipe with 1 cup oatmeal. It was nice and golden brown on the bottom( I expected that) and turned out perfectly.. will use this recipe again. Very happy it turned out. Low is the way to go I guess.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡
Janine Kirin
This is a great recipe! I’ve made it twice this weekend. The end consistency is perfect! I have a 8qt pot and cooked it on the low pressure cook setting. So many flavor possibilities with this recipe. I also added sliced almonds to my bowl. Delicious!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡