Coconut Sugar Oatmeal with Caramelized Apples {recipe} (2024)

Memories of the instant oatmeal flavors are what inspired this Coconut Sugar Oatmeal with Caramelized Apples. A little more grown up, but still incredibly simple to make. I used coconut sugar in place of brown sugar, which brings a fabulous caramel flavor to both the sautéed apples and the oatmeal. And it still melts on top, just the way I remember. A few golden raisins for texture and a drizzle of whole milk to complete this bowlful of warm and cozy.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to meet the people who grow and produce Quaker Oats, and tour their mill (still the largest in the world) that was built in the early 1900s. It was a chance to see the seed to spoon journey of the oats that bring us nourishment, and how Quaker continues to pioneer innovative ways of delivering the best oats to our kitchens, as they have for the last 140 years.

And that starts with those who grow. Their Direct Growers program consists of over 400 farmers in Canada, where oats grow best. When those oats are delivered to the Iowa facility, mostly by railcar, aproprietary grading lab ensures oats that continue on to be milled meet the Quaker’s high quality standards.Nearly half of their oats are grown by the Direct Growers, which has advantages like understanding the origin of the oats, as far as knowing which farms our crops came from, and growing preferred varieties with specific benefits for particular Quaker products.

And gluten-free oats, well, it’s a highly discussed topic these days. Oats are naturally gluten free, but have been known to get a little too close with other gluten-containing grains like wheat or barley, in the field, during storage and even transportation. That’s why people with celiac disease and gluten allergies sometimes avoid oatmeal. Thankfully, Quaker experts have developed a breakthrough cleaning system to remove these other grains to creategluten free oatmeal you can trust.

These days I look in my own pantry, and the Quaker Man is still staring at me, some 30 years later. In some way, shape or form, sweet or savory, I eat oats nearly every day. It’s hard to find another whole grain with such versatility, accessibility, and subtle, toasty flavor.

If you feel like you struggle to make a good bowl of oatmeal, here are a few of my favorite tips:

1. Toast your oats in a pat of butter before you add the water. This brings out the true flavor, just like it would to nuts.
2. Don’t overstir your oats while they are cooking. Otherwise, they tend to get gummy from the starches releasing.
3. Let them sit, off the heat, after they’re done cooking. This rest will let them cool slightly so the oats can thicken, and a wonderful texture is created.

Enjoy, xo.