Apple Pie Skillet Oatmeal

I made this Apple Pie Skillet Oatmeal twice this weekend and let me tell you! It is BEYOND delicious. And literally tastes like a bowl of warm apple pie with creamy, melting, vanilla ice cream on top. This recipe came to me on a whim when I was laying in bed and craving a good warm breakfast. I imagined warm and buttery caramely apple pie filling with some hearty oatmeal and this did NOT disappoint.  If you enjoy a good apple pie dessert and/or if you are a fan of good oatmeal, you will LOVE this recipe. 

The key to this Apple Pie Skillet Oatmeal is that you have to cook it in a NON-STICK skillet! The bigger surface space allows the caramely apple mixture and the oatmeal to cook together and get buttery, toasty, nutty, creamy ...everything that you would expect in a delicious piece of hot apple pie! 

Ingredients (For 1 Hefty Serving or 2 Normal Servings):

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Granny Smith Apple, diced

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

1 Pinch of Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Instant Oats

1 Cup of Milk {of your choice}

Toppings of your choice {nuts, milk, brown sugar, etc.}

{In a non-stick skillet, over medium-low heat, melt the butter.}

{Add in the diced apples and begin to saute.}

{Sprinkle on the brown sugar, pinch of salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract.}

{Reduce the heat to low and let this apple mixture sauté for about 8 minutes. You want the apples to be soft, but not too mushy.  The brown sugar and butter mixes together and will create a yummy caramel that will coat each apple piece and create amazing flavor for the oatmeal.}

{After about 8 minutes when the apples are soft add the caramel is bubbly and delicious, add in the instant oatmeal. I used 2 of the instant packets, which is the equivalent to 1/2 cup.}

{Mix the instant oatmeal with the apple/caramel mixture to combine and coat everything.}

{Add in the milk and stir well.}

{Continue stirring over low heat for about 3-4 minutes, or until the milk is absorbed and the oatmeal is perfectly rich and creamy.}

{You will have the perfect bowl of warm and buttery apple pie goodness! Serve it up warm and enjoy!... Or you could top it off...}

{...I topped mine with a splash of milk and a walnut/pecan/almond nut mixture. You could also add brown sugar, coconut flakes, honey, whatever you like.  Any way you top it, this oatmeal is EVERYTHING! Let me know if you decide to give this one a try. :)} 

xoxo, thanks for reading!