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This recipe for Irish Oatmeal with Hot Buttered Cinnamon Apples is the perfect motivation to get out of bed on a chilly morning. And bonus, I share my best tip for how to make Irish oats FAST!
During the cooler months, there’s nothing better than waking up to a warm and hearty bowl of oatmeal.
Do you go for Irish oats, old-fashioned rolled oats, or instant oats? Obviously if time is a concern, instant oats might be your go-to. But with a little planning ahead you can sit down to a hearty bowl of steel-cut oats, which has more nutrition benefits than more processed forms of oats.
The only question you’re left with is what toppings you want to add!
What is Irish Oatmeal?
Have you ever had Irish oatmeal? Or maybe you know it by a different name, such as pinhead oats or steel-cut oats?
If you’re not familiar with it, steel-cut oats are oats from which the inedible outer husk has been removed. The oat groats (the inner part of the oat kernels) are cleaned, and then chopped into three or four small pieces as they’re passed through steel cutters.
Whatever you call it, this dish is a delicious and healthy whole grain!
What is the Difference Between Irish Oatmeal and Regular Oatmeal (aka Rolled Oats)?
To me, Irish oatmeal has a nuttier flavor than regular oatmeal (i.e., rolled oats). Additionally, Irish oatmeal’s texture is chewier. And generally, I feel like it’s a bit heartier of a meal (which is why the serving size is just 1/4 cup dry oats per person).
Irish Oats…as you can see, they look quite different from rolled oats.
Which Oats Are the Healthiest?
Irish oats and regular oatmeal (aka rolled oats) are manufactured slightly differently. Rolled oats are Irish oats that have been flattened! Irish oats are the least processed. Old-fashioned rolled oats retain some bran. However, instant oats are rolled oats that are precooked and dried, which removes the outer bran.
Oat bran contains fiber and vitamins, so the more oats are processed, the more nutrition they lose. Because of this, Irish oats retain more nutrition benefits. (Read more about the differences between steel-cut oats and rolled oats on Nuts.com.)
Oatmeal Topping Ideas
Irish oatmeal takes a bit longer than regular oatmeal to cook (usually somewhere around 30 minutes). However, if you soak Irish oats the night before they cook up much quicker.
A bowl of oatmeal is a blank slate! You can eat them as-is, or dress them up any way you like. Sweet toppings, are always good, but savory oats are also delicious.
Here I took advantage of our gorgeous local New York State apples by cooking an apple with maple, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla. It smelled amazing cooking up, even better than chocolate chip cookies in the oven (and I’m a chocolate chip junkie, so you know that’s serious).
Here are a few more topping ideas:
- Fresh berries + coconut
- Maple syrup + pecans + cinnamon
- Brown sugar + butter + walnuts
- Chocolate chips
How Do You Make McCann’s Irish Oatmeal?
It’s actually very easy and requires minimal ingredients to make this Irish oats recipe!
Irish Oatmeal Recipe Ingredients:
- Irish oats (also called steel-cut oats)
- Water
- Salt
How to Make Irish Oats:
- Add oats, water, and a pinch of salt to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat down and simmer uncovered until the oats are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Be sure to stir occasionally and add a splash more water as necessary if the oats get too thick!
- Top with anything you like and serve.
Pro Tip: You can cut the cooking time down to about 15 minutes if you soak the oats in cool water overnight (make sure they’re covered by 1 inch of water). Then strain the oats through a fine mesh sieve, and when you cook the oats, reduce the amount of water by 1/3. So for this recipe, if you soak the 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats overnight, you would use 2/3 cup water instead of 1 cup to cook them.
More Recipes with Oats to Try:
- Strawberry and Coconut Cream Overnight Oatmeal Parfaits
- Oatmeal Golden Raisin Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze
- Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
- Gluten Free Date Bars with Almonds and Oats
- Savory Oatmeal Breakfast Bowls with Smoky Garlic Greens and Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake
- Oatmeal Crème Pies with Rum Raisin Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith
Irish Oatmeal with Hot Buttered Cinnamon Apples
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Ingredients
Oats:
- 1/4 cup Irish oats also called steel-cut oats
- 1 cup water
- 1 pinch sea salt
Hot Buttered Cinnamon Apples:
- 1 medium sweet crisp apple such as Macoun, washed, cored, and chopped (not peeled)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Oats:
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then turn heat down and simmer (uncovered) until the oats are tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, and adding a splash more water as necessary if the oats get too thick.
For the Hot Buttered Cinnamon Apples:
- Add all ingredients (except the vanilla) to a small-medium skillet. Cook (uncovered) over low heat until the liquid has evaporated and the apples are tender, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
To Serve:
- Stir half of the apple mixture into the porridge, then pour the porridge into a bowl and top with the remaining apple mixture. Serve hot.
Notes
- How to Make Irish Oats Fast: You can cut the cooking time down to about 15 minutes if you soak the oats in cool water overnight (make sure they’re covered by 1 inch of water). Then strain the oats through a fine mesh sieve, and when you cook the oats, reduce the amount of water by 1/3. So for this recipe, if you soak the 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats overnight, you would use 2/3 cup water instead of 1 cup to cook them.
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- Fresh berries + coconut
- Maple syrup + pecans + cinnamon
- Brown sugar + butter + walnuts
- Chocolate chips
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
Share it with me on Instagram and leave a comment to let me know your thoughts!
:: GIVEAWAY ::
The Irish Food Board (Board Bia) is providing three 28 oz tins of McCann’s Irish Oatmeal as prizes for three lucky winners! (Due to shipping, this giveaway is only open to residents of the U.S. – sorry for any inconveniences!)
To participate, you can do any of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each so I can count them as separate entries:
- Leave a comment telling me your favorite breakfast food.
- Leave a comment telling me about the best bowl of oatmeal you’ve ever had.
- Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment here.
- Share this giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment here.
- Share this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment here.
You don’t need to have a blog to enter this giveaway! This giveaway ends Sunday, December 7, 2012 at 9PM EST. After that, the winner will be randomly chosen and notified by email. Good luck to all!
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on November 30, 2012. I updated it with more information on January 20, 2020.
Disclosure: I received a tin of McCann Irish Oats to try for free from Board Bia, and they are also sponsoring this giveaway. As always, opinions stated are my own. This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Free Bonus
I just discovered your blog looking for Irish oat recipes and made this recipe this morning–so good! The smell in the house was wonderful. Just a quarter cup was very filling.
Currently searching your other recipes and love that you also love Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings!
My favorite bowl of oatmeal (we have this often) is McCann’s Irish Oatmeal with dried cranberries, raw cashews and a little brown sugar. yum!
My favorite breakfast food is sourdough french toast.
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my best bowl of oatmeal had real maple syrup, sliced bananas, and chocolate chips
my fave breakast food is anything hot…..right now, cream of wheat, but i’d love to switch to oatmeal
Pinterest pin, Sounds delicious. I am making some Irish oatmeal now with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla with some Chia seeds, nuts and raisins.
So you add the vanilla…when?
Eric, Sorry about that! I updated the recipe above (the vanilla gets added at the end of Step 2). Thanks for the catch! :)
Every day at work, I make microwave rolled oats with raisins, honey and raw almonds. It is yummy, quick and really nutritious. Next I will try steel-cut oats. Thanks for the ideas.
The best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had was made of old fashion oatmeal sweetened with brown sugar, and I stirred in chopped pecans and ground cinnamon. I topped it with sliced banana.
I LOVE this recipe. I’ve made it countless times. I make the apples the night before and add them to my instant steel cut oatmeal at work the next morning. Tonight I’m going to try pears, ginger, & cardamom.
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The best bowl of oatmeal I ever had was actually some Irish Oatmeal that I tried in Costco.
My favorite breakfast is probably cinnamon rolls.
This looks amazing! I might have to make it immediately!!! :-)
My favorite oatmeal was made with steel cut oats,cinnamon, diced apple, and brown sugar. Its tastes like I’m eating an apple pie. :)
I don’t have a blog
Karen Goodwin Delaney shared on Facebook
Best bowl of oatmeal was with freshly rolled oats, brown sugar, a touch of nutmeg. Melted butter on top, then a drizzle of heavy cream
I really like a continental breakfast…fresh fruit & pastries!
I only eat steelcut oats… call me spoiled. My favorite lately was with leftover apples that had been very lightly sweetened and seasoned with cinnamon and cardamom… and lemon juice.
My favorite breakfast? Right now it is Greek yogurt with my homemade fig preserves, walnuts, pepitas and sunflower seeds. Tomorrow it may be something different.
I love oatmeal so much that I have three bowls a day! One in the morning, one as snack, and one after dinner for dessert. My ultimate favorite is creamy oats with a spoonful of chunky peanut butter, swirl of maple syrup, and a cloud of Reddi whip on top.
The best bowl of oatmeal was with maple syrup and cinnamon.
My favorite breakfast food is cinnamon rolls.
Oh I’ve never had Irish oats before :) but I love normal oats so this should be just as good :D
This porridge sounds just lovely. I love cooked apples, and vanilla makes everything just a bit more special. My favorite bowls generally include cocoa powder, dates, chia seeds, and a splash of almond milk to top it off!
favorite oatmeal would be done up as granola – w/ some yogurt thrown on.
favorite breakfast is probably toast w/ a little pb on it. though i do love granola also.
My favorite breakfast food is homemade corned beef hash and eggs. You can’t beat it.
Mmm! This looks totally yummy. Didn’t know the Irish had their own oatmeal ;)
And i wanted to tell you how gorgeous all the recipes from your new book have been. I’ve been seeing them all over the blogosphere an they look fabulous!
You are so sweet, thank you so much for your kind words about my book!
My fave breakfast food would have to be eggs and bacon! :-D
Oh my, I think I found my breakfast! This is stunning!!
My favorite breakfast is a bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal!
The best oatmeal i ever had was cooked in coconut milk, and topped with dried fruits and carmelized almonds and a bit more coconut milk
My favorite breakfast is greek yogurt with homemade granola
I never turn down french toast!
Favourite breakfast: Homemade yogurt with mango, mixed berries, saigon cinnamon and ginger.
Best bowl of oatmeal = steel cut with almond extract, almonds, fresh cherries & a few chocolate chips!
Favorite breakfast food = something filling, which usually means PB/AB is involved!
The best oatmeal I’ve ever had is the McCann’s Steel Cut Oats with a little rice milk, brown sugar and fresh pomegranate seeds.
My Fav oatmeal was at a conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Banana Nut Brulee oatmeal….OMG!!!
The best bowl of oatmeal I had was made by my awesome sister, who put toasted almonds and pecans in it. The soft texture of the oatmeal against the crunchiness of the nuts was perfect!
My favorite breakfast food is banana pancakes.
You make the humble oatmeal look like a gourmet meal, Faith.
LL
I sharde this giveaway on Twitter
My best bowl of oatmeal would be brown sugar cinnamon.
My favorite breakfast food is an English muffin with ham, egg, cheese and jalapenos.
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The best oatmeal I’ve ever had was when I visited my grandparents as a child. My Grandmother made Grandfather and me oatmeal every morning and we had it with real cream taken from the top of the milk bottle that was delivered fresh twice a week to the front porch.
My favourite breakfast is a denver omelette with a side of homefries.
The best oatmeal I ever had was in Ireland. :-) My friend made it with Baileys and cinnamon and it was out of this world delicious. :-) xo
Yum! I have to try that!
The best bowl of oatmeal I ever had was at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. It was years ago, but I remember it to this day. I am convinced it was Irish oatmeal, given the wonderful texture. I need to go back!
My favorite breakfast is plain, non-fat Greek yoghurt with raisins and cinnamon. Yum!
My fav breakfast food is certainly oatmeal! What a staple!!
The best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had was super simple… oatmeal, whole milk, pinch of salt, spoonful of sugar, and a teaspoon of cocoa powder!
My favorite breakfast food is a toasted bagel with cream cheese and jam!
The best bowl of oatmeal was baked oatmeal with apples and raisins
My favorite breakfast food is pancakes
My favorite is french toast
My favorite oatmeal is whatever my husband makes for me
My favorite breakfast is Greek yogurt with Grape Nuts and fresh fruit.
My favorite breakfast changes with the seasons. Since winter is on the way, I’m back to Malt-o-Meal. I love the smell and the taste — just add a little brown sugar and some milk. Mmmmm. Thanks for the chance to win that yummy-looking oatmeal.
oatmeal with peanut butter
I love French toast!
In warmer weather I love yogurt with granola, but when it gets cold I love hot oatmeal! Thanks!
Mmmm I love Irish Oats! This looks so so good, Faith!
You had me at hot buttered apples!! Love this oatmeal!
My best bowl of oatmeal is always the one I just had!
My favorite breakfast food is BACON
I love steel cut oats but the only reason I rarely cook them is they take longer than the quick oats. I love the plate you have in the first picture..very pretty!
my favorite breakfast food is a big, fat, glaze-y cinnamon roll. :)
my best bowl of oatmeal also had cooked apples and cinnamon in it! they weren’t irish oats, though…
Best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had recently has been with leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving.
Favorite breakfast food, currently: egg white omelet (veggies & touch of cheese), an orange, and half a bagel.
I made the best bowl of pumpkin oats the day after Thanksgiving this year. Pumpkin, oats, an egg white, cinnamon, and a dollop of leftover whole cranberry sauce!
My favorite (treat) breakfast food is eggs benedict on sourdough toast!
I love having fruit salads for breakfast, very fresh…
This recipe might work great to put in a crock pot overnight on low.
The best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had was one made with almond milk and cashew butter while camping – I was so exhausted and cold from the weekend backpacking trip that nothing had ever tasted so perfect!
I shared this post on FB!
My favorite breakfast food is poached eggs!
Greek yogurt!
My favorite breakfast foods are huevos rancheros or chilaquiles… savory over sweet! But oatmeal is pretty awesome too. : )
My favorite oatmeal is rolled oats with egg whites, cinnamon & nutmeg – topped with sliced banana and peanut butter.
My favorite breakfast is homemade corned beef hash with poached eggs – yum!
I had a pretty wonderful bowl of oatmeal today. It was quick cooking steel cut oats that I did in microwave w/ water. I added some brown sugar and frozen blueberries, stirred this up, then added fresh raspberries on top and a splash of vanilla almond milk. Delish!!
My favorite breakfast food would have to be pancakes. I can’t get enough of them:)
The best bowl of oatmeal I ever had was a banana oatmeal flavour by Joy the Baker!
Love this oatmeal! My favorite breakfast food is french toast!
Pity I cannot win this but wow it does look delicious. have a good weekend Diane
As for the best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had, that’s a toughie… I recently made something similar to your oatmeal with cinnamon apples and it was fantastic topped with a spoonful of peanut butter! I called it “Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats” and I MUST make it again – and your recipe! – soon.
My favorite everyday breakfast is absolutely oatmeal! I typically make stovetop rolled oats, but steel-cut have become my go-to recently. I also switch it up sometimes and make baked oatmeal.
For special occasions, you can’t go wrong with pancakes or waffles =).
You have the best giveaways! I love oatmeal. SO SO good. I find myself eating it for breakfast lunch and sometimes dinner! Aside from oatmeal, my other favorite for breakfast is smoothies.
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Best bowl of oatmeal? My first breakfast on a vacation in Ireland. Just added butter, a little cream and sugar over the top.
My favorite breakfast food? Pain perdu.
favorite oatmeal combo: almond milk, cottage cheese, pumpkin and almond butter. YuM~~~
I’ve been loving gluten free pancake lately. :)
I love steel cut oats. We eat them frequently with toppings like banana, apples, pumpkin puree. They are delicious.
A wonderful recipe! This porridge looks delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa
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I shared this giveaway on Facebook.
Brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal.
My favorite breakfast food would be an English muffin, ham, egg, cheese and jalapeno sandwich.