Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I'm in Ethiopia this week with ONE.orgs #ONEMoms team and cannot wait to share some incredible stories with you when I get back. But today I am sharing with you a great quick and easy breakfast recipe my family and I love. I wrote this post last week and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Lately I've been waking up to a noticeable chill in the air. The kind of chill that makes me wish I could sleep in all morning and where fuzzy fleece the rest of the day. Although cereal does have its place in our breakfast repertoire, cold mornings are the perfect setting for a warm breakfast.

Growing up, my mom used to buy instant apple cinnamon oatmeal packets where all you needed to do is add hot water and give the oatmeal a stir. Oh gosh, I used to love searching for those little semi-dehydrated pieces of apples hiding in a sea of thick oats. These days my love of apple cinnamon oatmeal hasn't changed but the way I prepare them has.  Making homemade oatmeal at home is a cinch and in my opinion, is far superior in flavor to those instant packets. Although instant packets while camping are very convenient! 

When I make oatmeal on the stovetop I also love to add a warm fruit topping as well as a few other ingredients to enhance the overall flavor and texture of my whole-grain breakfast. Making a quick apple cinnamon compote only takes a little more effort than making the oatmeal on its own. Sweetened by apple juice and the apple itself, this fruit topping is bursting with natural sweetness. I also like to top my oatmeal off with a sprinkle of chia and ground flax seeds for the added protein, fiber, and omega-3 benefits. If you're an oatmeal fan, give this recipe a try. Your kids will love the taste of cooked apples and cinnamon on this classic warm breakfast meal.