Warm, satisfying and hearty enough to make you last through to lunchtime, this oat bran porridge with apples is the ultimate fall breakfast. Top it with your favourite nuts, syrup or cinnamon, and enjoy a healthy sweet treat first thing in the morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Oat Bran Porridge with Apples
- Oat bran – this is the outer layer of the oat groat, which is the whole oat kernel. It is the edible outer husk of the oat grain and is rich in fibre, particularly soluble fibre, which is known for its ability to help lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, and promote a feeling of fullness.
- Apples – use your favourite apple variety, but I recommend Gala, Fuji or Honeycrisp if you’re going for extra sweetness, and Granny Smith for a slightly tarter flavour.
- Maple syrup – for added sweetness, but can be omitted if you wish to reduce your sugar intake.
- Peanut butter – optional, but highly recommended as it makes the porridge even creamier. You can also substitute it with almond butter, or any other nut butter you enjoy.
How to Cook Oat Bran Porridge with Apples
Step One – Cook Oat Bran Porridge
Stir oat bran with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until it’s thickened.
Step Two – Stir in Maple Syrup and Nut Butter
Remove the porridge from heat and stir in maple syrup and nut butter for added sweetness and creaminess. Let the porridge rest for about 5 minutes or so, until it thickens and cools down a bit.
Step Three – Add Toppings or Save for Later
Top the porridge with chopped pecans, nut butter, maple syrup or cinnamon. You can also allow it to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Oat Bran Porridge FAQs
What is the Difference Between Steel-Cut, Rolled, and Instant Oats?
There are so many choices for oat products out there. Instant oats, rolled oats, steel-cut oats… it can get confusing. And how exactly does oat bran fit into all of this?
It’s actually pretty simple. All oats start off as oat groats; the whole, unbroken grains. The only difference is in how much the groat has been processed. This results in each variety having a distinct texture and different cook times.
Steel-cut oats (also known as Irish or Scottish oats) are processed by chopping the whole oat groat into several pieces, rather than rolling it flat. They take slightly longer to cook, and often keep their chewy texture.
Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned or whole oats) look sort of like flakes, as they are processed by pressing the grains of oats flat. They cook faster than steel-cut oats, hold their shape fairly well during cooking, and are a great substitute for instant oats.
Instant oats (also known as quick oats) are the softest of the three, and the most processed. They cook very quickly, and result in a mushy texture once cooked.
Though different in many ways, all three varieties have the same nutritional value, as they are all made from the same grain. One cup of oats has 307 calories, 10 grams of protein, 56 grams of carbs and five grams of fat.
And What Is Oat Bran?
Oat bran is a slightly different story. Bran is the outer later of the oat grain, just underneath the outer hull. This means it has a different nutritional profile than oats, and one might argue it’s a bit healthier.
It’s higher in fibre than oats, and slightly lower in calories. Also, it doesn’t take very long to cook, and can even be eaten raw, such as in your smoothie or yogurt to increase your fibre intake.
Despite its slightly harder texture, bran porridge is actually super easy to cook. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes of your time, start to finish.
Is Oat Bran Gluten Free?
Oats themselves are inherently gluten-free, but they are often grown and processed in facilities that also handle wheat. This cross-contamination can lead to the presence of gluten in oat products.
If you are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, it’s important to look for oat bran that is certified gluten-free. This certification ensures that the oats were grown and processed in a way that minimises the risk of gluten contamination. Always check product labels and certifications to be sure, as different brands and products may vary in their gluten content.
What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
You can use your favourite apple variety. I would recommend Gala, Fuji or Honeycrisp if you’re going for extra sweetness, and Granny Smith for a slightly tarter flavour.
You can either cube or grate the apple. If you prefer a few chunks, chop it up. And if you want a perfectly smooth texture, I recommend grating the apple. Whether or not to peel it is up to you, but again, if you want a creamy porridge, I recommend peeling it.
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes, oat bran porridge is perfect for meal prepping. Once it’s cooked, let it cool to room temperature. Then cover it with a lid or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Other Apple Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you’re in the mood for some healthy apple recipes, check out these:
Oat Bran Porridge with Apples
Ingredients
- 1 small apple, grated or chopped (yield ~ 100g)
- ⅓ cup (45g) oat bran, uncooked
- 1 ¼ cup (300g) water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- Optional toppings: chopped pecans, nut butter, sprinkle of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Grate or finely chop the apple.
- In a large saucepan, combine bran, apple and water. Stir to combine, and raise the heat to high to bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes, until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed and the oats are nice and creamy. Stir in the maple syrup and peanut butter, and remove from heat.
- Let the porridge rest for about 5 minutes or so, until it thickens and cools down a bit. Top with chopped pecans, maple syrup, or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
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