Gluten-Free Apple Pie Oatmeal

There’s nothing like a hearty oatmeal in the morning to start your day off right. This apple pie oatmeal recipe hits the spot and is vegan and gluten free too. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.

While most of my breakfasts these days are savory, I still enjoy a little oatmeal in the morning, on occasion.

Oatmeal offers up a hearty breakfast and is loaded with soluble fiber, antioxidants and whole grains. If you can tolerate oats, adding them to your breakfast will help fill you up and keep you warm.

Is Oatmeal Gluten Free?

Yes, oatmeal is gluten free as long as it’s labeled gluten free. Oats are notoriously cross contaminated with wheat during the growing and harvesting processes, so any oats you consume must be labeled gluten free (or even better, certified gluten-free) to be safe to eat if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

I used Bob’s Red Mill quick cook oats to make this recipe.

You can find a comprehensive list of brands that make gluten-free oatmeal products in this article.

About My Apple Pie Oatmeal

My apple pie oatmeal is no ordinary oatmeal recipe. Not a chance.

I’m going to show you how to make apple pie oatmeal that’s loaded with fiber, healthy fats and, of course, delicious and sweet apples!

I must admit, I felt a little guilty eating it because it tastes like dessert. It’s sweet (without added sugar) and has the texture of apple pie filling. I suppose you could make this breakfast dish as a healthy dessert option too!

What You Need

You’ll need a few items to make this gluten-free apple pie oatmeal shine.

(1) Oats:  I know a lot of people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities cannot tolerate oats, but I can and I love them.

Oats are tricky for us gluten-free folk. While oats are naturally gluten free, they are notoriously cross contaminated with wheat. They are grown in rotation with wheat, and farmers use the same manufacturing equipment to harvest and store oats as they use with wheat. Therefore, because of the way oats are grown and manufactured, most oats contain pieces of wheat. (Read Are Oats Gluten-Free?)

Again, it’s essential to only consume gluten-free oats if you’re serious about being gluten free (this goes for anyone who has celiac disease or gluten sensitivity). I buy my gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats by Bob’s Red Mill. It’s a brand I know and trust when it comes to creating safe, gluten-free products.

(2) Apples:  Apples are the star of the dish, so you’ll want to use a crispy apple you like most. I prefer a sweeter apple, like a Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, but if you like your apples tart, by all means choose a different apple breed. I leave the skins intact, but you could peel the apple for a smoother texture.

(3) Applesauce: To get that signature apple flavor, you’ll also need some unsweetened applesauce to make this recipe. This will really help amp up the apple flavor of the dish!

(4) Chia Seeds:  A lot of people have heard of chia seeds, but few have had the opportunity to try them. I love the texture of chia seeds. When combined with water or a liquid, they bulk up and become gel-like. The texture is fun… I like it!

Chia seeds are most notable for their health benefits. They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats your body needs to thrive), and they are also rich in antioxidants and fiber. I personally use Salba Chia Seeds, but any brand will work (just check labels to ensure your chia seeds are GF).

(5) Non-Dairy Milk:  You’ll want to have your favorite non-dairy milk on tap to make this apple pie oatmeal recipe. I recently started buying Silk Cashew Milk and really love it. You could use cashew milk, almond milk, soy milk or even plain ole’ milk if you consume dairy. Water is another good option if you don’t like milk or milk alternatives.

(6) Spices:  What makes this apple pie oatmeal special is that it’s loaded with delicious apple pie flavors like cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract and maple syrup. All of these flavors come together to complete this wonderful hearty breakfast.

How to Make Apple Pie Oatmeal

In a small pot, combine the oats, diced apples, chia seeds, applesauce, milk, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Bring mixture to a boil and keep it at a rolling boil for about 8 minutes until apples soften and it’s a smooth, creamy texture. 

Remove oatmeal from the heat and add the vanilla extract and maple syrup. Mix together well, give the mixture time to slightly cool before adding it to your serving bowl (or bowls if sharing).

Top mixture with fresh apple slices, chopped walnuts and a pinch of cinnamon sprinkled on top. You can then top it with chopped walnuts and another sprinkle of cinnamon to taste.

The mixture is creamy and delicious – just the right notes of softened apples and gooey oatmeal. Yum!

I give you permission to eat the whole bowl of delicious and gluten-free apple pie oatmeal. When you do, you’ll load up on heart healthy whole grains, plenty of good old fashioned fiber, healthy fats and so much more.

Other Recipes with Oatmeal

You might like these recipes too:

Gluten-Free Chocolate Oatmeal: This easy gluten-free chocolate oatmeal recipe tastes like dessert but is loaded with good for you ingredients to help you start your day off right.

Breakfast Donuts: My easy and gluten-free breakfast donuts make for a wonderful on-the-go breakfast that you can enjoy all week long.

Simple Strawberry Overnight Oats: Make these oats the night before and wake up to a jar of delicious – and deliciously simple – strawberry overnight oats. Yum!

Protein Pancake: This protein pancake is made with quick-cook oats and egg whites. It’s a filling breakfast and in regular rotation at my house!

This apple pie oatmeal recipe is inspired by the Oh She Glows cookbook.