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Home » Recipes » Fruit, Yogurt and Grains

Apple Pie Oatmeal Brûlée

Updated: Jul 15, 2024 · Published: Oct 23, 2021 by Jennifer

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you have one of those kitchen torches buried in the bottom of your drawer, now is the time to use it! This Apple Pie Oatmeal Brûlée has all the flavors of fall in a delicious oatmeal, finished with a caramelized, crunchy top. That topping is everything!

Apple oatmeal brulee in a white dish with cinnamon sticks on top.

This was one of those recipes that I just stumbled upon after an apple-picking extravaganza. I had made some homemade applesauce, and to use it up, I tossed it into a pot of oatmeal.

It was so easy and turned everyday oatmeal into a treat. Then I thought, why not add a crunchy top? I will admit, I dusted off my kitchen torch (an impulse buy after I thought I would be churning out crème brûlée every week). Who knew you can brûlée breakfast too?

The result is a sweet and comforting oatmeal, that not only tastes like apple pie but is fancy enough to be called oatmeal crème brûlée. The crunchy top is the best part, and deserves the necessary crack with the back of a spoon to get it started.

Jump to:
  • What you will need
  • Making the oatmeal
  • How to make oatmeal brûlée
  • 💡Top tip
  • Substitutions and variations
  • What to serve with oatmeal brûlée?
  • Storage and make-ahead
  • Frequently asked questions
  • More fall recipes
  • 📖Recipe

What you will need

You likely have all the ingredients at home. Nothing fancy here!

Ingredients on a beige surface for apple pie oatmeal.
  • Oats- I make my oatmeal with steel-cut oats. I love the texture it brings (firm and a little chewy). You can use old-fashioned oats instead (just follow the instructions on your packaging).
  • Milk and water- I use a combination of milk and water to cook the oats. I find that using all milk makes it taste a bit too rich. This ratio cuts down on calories, yet still feels creamy. You can use any milk you like.
  • Salt- To flavor the oats and balance out the sweetness.
  • Applesauce- I prefer unsweetened chunky-style applesauce, but feel free to use regular applesauce. Store-bought or homemade is fine. If you only have sweetened applesauce, taste it first before adding the brown sugar.
  • Brown sugar- I use it to sweeten the applesauce. You can cut down or omit the sugar altogether if you like things less sweet (remember it's going to get a sugary top, so you may prefer to leave it out when preparing the oatmeal).
  • Spices- Cinnamon and allspice are my faves, but you can use apple pie spice, cloves and nutmeg.
  • White sugar- I find that white granulated sugar works best for caramelizing the tops.

Making the oatmeal

Grab a pot and get stirring! If using old-fashioned oats, be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.

Four-part instructions showing how to make stove-top oatmeal in a pot.

Step 1. Bring a large pot of milk and water to a boil. Step 2. Add the oats and cook for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Step 3. When most of the liquid is gone, add the applesauce, spices, and brown sugar. Step 4. Give it a stir, and allow it to sit off the heat for a few minutes before caramelizing the top.

How to make oatmeal brûlée

Oatmeal in a white dish with a spoon next to it.

Add the cooked oatmeal to a ramekin or crème brûlée dish.

White sugar on top of a dish of oatmeal.

Add the white sugar to the top.

Top of oatmeal in a white dish being swept with a kitchen torch.

Using a kitchen torch (culinary torch), gently sweep the flame from side to side until the top is browned and hardened. Be sure to follow the directions on your particular model.

Apple pie oatmeal brulee cracked on the top.

💡Top tip

When boiling the water and milk for the oatmeal, watch it closely. The liquid will rise up rapidly and boil over if you are not careful.

Substitutions and variations

Apple pie oatmeal can be customized to your liking. You can make any flavor oatmeal you would like, and proceed to the instructions for the brûlée top.

Try adding raisins, chopped fruit or jam to your oatmeal to mix up the flavors. If you prefer overnight oats, you can brûlée the tops of them! The contrast between the cold interior and hot sugar topping is next level!

What to serve with oatmeal brûlée?

Oatmeal brûlée can be served on it's own (it's pretty filling), or it can be paired with something light like a simple fruit bowl, a yogurt parfait or this cottage cheese bowl.

Storage and make-ahead

The oatmeal can be made ahead and stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to add the topping, gently reheat the oatmeal in the microwave or on the stove, and proceed to the sugar topping for caramelizing.

Oatmeal on a spoon with apples blurred in the background.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make my own applesauce?

Absolutely! I've made it with my own applesauce and store-bought, and it's delicious either way. Try it with my Honeycrisp applesauce for a real treat.

What if I don't have a kitchen torch?

No worries! You can make this using your oven's broiler. After adding the sugar to the top of the oatmeal, place your ramekins in the oven and broil on high for 5-8 minutes. If you have a kitchen torch, then go ahead and use it. Follow the safety instructions for your model, and sweep the flame over the sugared top until brown and hardened.

Can I make this with overnight oats?

Yes! If you prefer an easier prep, make your favorite overnight oats, and when ready to eat, add the sugar and brûlée the tops. The combination of the cold interior and the warm crunchy top is perfect!

More fall recipes

If you love fall recipes, check out some of my faves!

  • Close-up of sweet potatoes and bacon hash in a skillet with thyme sprigs on top.
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    Vanilla Cranberry Compote

Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.

📖Recipe

Close-up of apple oatmeal brulee in a white dish with cinnamon sticks on it.

Apple Pie Oatmeal Brulee

Crunchy, sweet, and warmly spiced apple pie oatmeal brûlée will remind you of your favorite seasonal apple pie. The topping is everything!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 132 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • 4 oven-safe ramekins
  • culinary torch optional

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups (24 ounces) water
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) milk any kind
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) steel-cut oats
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) chunky applesauce, unsweetened if using sweetened, omit or decrease brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoon dark brown sugar (omit or decrease if using sweetened applesauce)
  • 4 tablespoon white granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, add the water, milk, and salt. Bring to a boil (watch closely as it will foam and rise to the top rapidly as soon as it boils). Add the oats.
    3 cups (24 ounces) water, 1 cup (8 ounces) milk, ¼ teaspoon Kosher or fine sea salt, 1 cup (8 ounces) steel-cut oats
  • Remove the cover. Simmer on low heat for about 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • After the oatmeal finishes cooking, add the applesauce, cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar, stirring until incorporated. Remove from the heat and divide among 4 broiler-safe bowls.
    1 cup (8 ounces) chunky applesauce, unsweetened, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, 2 teaspoon dark brown sugar (omit or decrease if using sweetened applesauce), 4 tablespoon white granulated sugar
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar to the top of each bowl. Using a kitchen or culinary torch, sweep the flame back and forth over the sugar until it begins to brown and harden.
    Broiler method: Add the sugar-topped ramekins to the oven and broil on high for 5-8 minutes until the top is brown and crunchy.

Notes

  • If you don't have individual broiler safe bowls, add to a broiler safe pan and continue with the remaining steps; this time adding all the sugar to the top and then proceed with broiling the top.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days without the added sugar. When ready to broil, remove from the fridge, add the sugar and proceed with broiling.

Nutrition*

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 28.7gProtein: 2.6gFat: 1.3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1.9gSugar: 19.9gCalcium: 39mg

*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.

Have you tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @brunchandbatter or hashtag it with #brunchandbatter

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Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Bianca says

    January 27, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a great way to start your day with! Absolutely delicious. Also works very well as a dessert 😉

    Reply
    • Gracie says

      September 24, 2022 at 1:40 am

      5 stars
      loved this. spiced just right!

      Reply
Author looking at the camera holding eggs.

About Jennifer

Oh hey there! I'm Jennifer, the recipe developer, blogger, and food photographer behind Brunch and Batter. I've been a seasoned home cook (and nurse) for over 25 years, specializing in unique breakfast recipes, updated lunch classics, and simple, no-fuss desserts. I'm so glad you found me! Read more...

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