When it comes to breakfast I typically look for things that are easy to prepare, packed with nutrients, and ideally taste good. This recipe hits all those marks. As for simplicity, this recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and only involves basic chopping, measuring, and stirring. In terms of nutrients, oats provide a number of health benefits including a rich source of iron (which some vegetarian/ vegan diets may lack) and the addition of chia adds a boost of nutrients and a source of healthy fats that promote heart health. And as for taste, well, it’s topped with caramelized cinnamon, apples, and walnuts. Enough said.

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
2 cups water
1 apple
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1 tbsp honey*
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 pinch of salt

*If honey isn’t your thing, you can substitute in maple syrup or omit it all together. The apples alone should have enough sugars to aid with the caramelization.

Preparation:

1. In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
2. While the water is getting to temperature, dice your apple into small pieces and chop your 1/4 cup of walnuts.
3. When the water starts boiling, stir in 1 cup of rolled oats with a pinch of salt and lower to a medium-low heat. Occasionally stir the oats to keep them from sticking to the bottom, but don’t over do it. I’ve found I get a better consistency if I stir the oats less.
4. While the oats are cooking, throw your honey, apples, walnuts, and cinnamon into the sauce pan on medium-high heat. Stir these regularly to keep them from sticking and pull the pan off the heat once you’ve reached a good level of caramelization.
5. Once the oats are fully cooked and have absorbed the majority of the water, pour the oats into a bowl. Top them with the caramelized apples and walnuts, and sprinkle on your chia seeds.
6. Enjoy!