by Kathryn of Hill Lake Farm
Heart warming, rich and flavorful this oatmeal will be your go to breakfast whenever the autumn season rolls in, or maybe anytime there is a nice chill in the morning air. The star of the show in this recipe is the fried brown butter apples which add a crispy caramelized texture, that pairs perfectly with a soft, creamy oatmeal. You can use whatever type of milk you prefer, but to make this oatmeal even more decadent I like to use sheep’s milk or add some heavy cream if I don’t have sheep’s milk on hand.
This oatmeal is the epitome of a perfect fall breakfast. It’s hardy enough to be warm and filling, but light enough that it’s not gonna weigh down your digestion like many of the delicious treats we indulge in, this season. Growing up in the Hudson Valley we have some of the best apples in the country, and when the season rolls around each year it’s important to savor the fruits of the season. Eating seasonally isn’t just trendy, it’s also ecologically minded. The fruits will never be more nutrient dense than when pick ripe right off the tree, and the impact of growing that fruit will never be smaller than when it’s right in your local community. By eating seasonally: you support local growers who take care to do things right, you support your own body, and the ecosystems that allow for the precious fruits to begin with, and you maintain the delicate connections between you and the natural world.
This recipe is a single serving but can easily be doubled for additional servings. This recipe is quick and easy and never disappoints in our house. It can be put together quickly in the morning, but feels like slow comfort food.
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Ingredients:
- 1/3 Cup Rolled Oats (organic – old fashion rolled oats work best) oats are highly sprayed with glyphosate so it’s important to shop organic here
- 2/3 Cup Sheep Milk (substitute: 1/3 Cup Whole Milk & 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream -or- any milk of your choice)
- 1 Apple (1/4 cup chopped & remaining sliced thin for frying – I used Kinder Crisp but any apple will work)
- 1 Scoop Protein Powder ( I use Mt. Capra – Goat Whey but any plain or vanilla protein powder will work)
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Butter (browned)
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt (Redmond Real Salt)
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom
- Maple Syrup for topping *optional*
- 1 tbsp Heavy Cream for topping *optional*
What You’ll Need?
- Small Sauté Pot
- Frying Pan: cast iron is preferred but not needed
- Wood Cutting Board: avoid plastic — it sheds microplastics into food
- Sharp Chopping Knife
How to Make Apple Oatmeal?
The first step is gathering up good quality ingredients, and you’ll likely have most of these items on hand already.
Step 1:
In a small pot, add rolled oats, chopped apples, and milk/cream, to begin stewing on low heat for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2:
Add the remainder of the flavoring ingredients to the oatmeal as the oats cook and milk reduces: protein powder, brown sugar, butter, sea salt, cinnamon, cardamom, & vanilla. Cook down until oats are tender and the oatmeal has thickened. Remove from heat and add to a bowl to allow to set.
Step 3:
While oatmeal cools and sets, fry the apples. Add butter to a sauté pan and begin to heat. Slice the remainder of the apple into thin slices and add to butter. Fry the apples in butter on medium high heat, careful not to burn the butter while browning the apples. Add brown sugar to the apples right before the apples finish.
Step 4:
Top the oatmeal with the fried apples pouring the brown butter, sugar sauce over top. Optional: add a spoonful of maple syrup and heavy cream to the top.
Going Camping?
This breakfast is great at home, but somehow it’s even better when enjoyed outside cooked over an open flame. I like to bring the dry oatmeal ingredients in a jar, and the milk separately to combine when ready to cook. This oatmeal is perfect for a fall camping trip or just a breakfast picnic with someone special.
Hill Lake Farm
– Brown Butter – Apple Oatmeal
Easy & Delicious. Everything you want in a fall breakfast.
NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 1
PREP TIME:
5 Minutes
COOK TIME:
15 Minutes
TOTAL TIME:
20 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/3 Cup Rolled Oats (organic)
- 2/3 Cup Sheep Milk (substitute: 1/3 cup whole milk + 1/3 cup heavy cream, or any milk)
- 1 Apple (1/4 cup chopped, remainder sliced thin for frying)
- 1 Scoop Protein Powder (I use Mt. Capra Goat Whey, or any plain/vanilla)
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Butter, browned
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt (Redmond Real Salt)
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom
- Maple Syrup, for topping optional
- 1 tbsp Heavy Cream, for topping optional
Instructions:
1️⃣ Add rolled oats, chopped apple, and milk/cream to a small pot. Stew on low heat.
2️⃣ Stir in protein powder, brown sugar, butter, sea salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla as the oats cook and milk reduces. Cook until thickened, then remove from heat and set in a bowl.
3️⃣ While the oatmeal sets, heat butter in a sauté pan. Add the sliced apple and fry until browned, stirring in brown sugar just before finished.
4️⃣ Top the oatmeal with the fried apples and brown butter sauce. Optional: finish with maple syrup and heavy cream.
Tips:
- Using a cast iron pan, to fry the apples, will give them great caramelization & texture.