Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal + Salted Tahini Caramel

This is a breakfast I’ve been making quite often these past couple months. A creamy oatmeal topped with sauteed cinnamon apple and a crazy delicious tahini-maple sauce. This sauce has been one of my favourite hacks for improving oatmeal ever since seeing it on Sophie’s blog a few years ago.

I’ve been making variations of this caramel for years and I’m still loving it so much. It is by no means a traditional caramel, but rather a super simple tahini/nut butter based sauce, but the taste and texture is incredible. I’d recommend that you make a bigger batch; I find that there’s rarely enough. I hope it becomes a favourite for you too.

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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal + Salted Tahini Caramel

Makes 2 large (or 3 small) portions

ingredients

Oatmeal:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 2 cups water

• A small pinch of sea salt

• 2-3 tbsp hemp hearts (optional)

• 1 tsp coconut oil

• 1 large apple, diced into 1/2-inch pieces

• Ground cinnamon

Salted Tahini Caramel

• 2 tbsp tahini

• 2 tbsp almond butter or cashew butter (or more tahini)

• 4 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp maca powder (optional but delicious)

Optional toppings: coconut flakes, granola, nuts, etc.

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instructions

1. For the oatmeal: Combine the oats, water and salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn it down to medium-low and let simmer, stirring often, until the oats are soft; about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the hemp hearts, if using.

2. While your oats are cooking, cook the apples. Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil has melted, add the diced apples. Cook, stirring often, until the apple are soft, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and stir. Set aside.

3. For the salted tahini caramel: In a small jar or bowl, mix together the tahini, nut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and maca and whisk well. Add water, one teaspoon at a time, until you get a caramel-like sauce. It should be smooth and easily pourable. Taste and adjust as needed by adding more salt, vanilla or maple syrup.

4. Divide the hot oatmeal between two bowls (or three for smaller portions), garnish with the sauteed apples and a generous drizzle of the caramel sauce. Add any other toppings you’d like (coconut flakes, granola, etc). Enjoy.