All I have to say about this Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bake (made in the Ninja Foodi) is... WOW, it's good! I'm not even a big fan of oatmeal and I could eat this every day!
All I have to say about this Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bake (made in the Ninja Foodi) is... WOW, it's good! I'm not even a big fan of oatmeal and I could eat this every day!
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Ninja Foodi Quick Review
I received my Ninja Foodi just before Christmas and did an unboxing video which I'll include below in case you don't have one yet. I don't think I've used my stove or oven since I got it! This small appliance does just about everything I could ever need for day-to-day cooking.
The Ninja Foodi has some functions similar to the pressure cooker, but its additional features are what sets it apart from the rest. Here are some of the features:
All settings except the sear/sauté function allow you to adjust the cook time. The sear/sauté function continues searing/sautéing until you turn it off.
Pressure Lid Settings
- Pressure Cook: Settings for Hi and Low pressure.
- Steam: One setting only
- Slow Cook: Settings for Hi and Low.
TenderCrisp Lid Settings
- Air Crisp: Temperature settings from 300° F to 400° F.
- Bake/ Roast: Temperature settings from 250° F to 400° F.
- Broil: Only option is on.
- Dehydrate: Temperature settings from 105° F. to 195° F.
Lid Off Settings
- Sear/ Sauté: Temperature settings; High, Med-High, Med, Low-Med, Low. The sear/sauté function continues searing/sautéing until you turn it off.
This recipe uses the pressure cook setting on low and the bake setting at 350° F.
See the unboxing video here:
What type of oatmeal should I use?
I used Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (also called rolled oats) in this recipe, the kind that cook in 5-10 minutes. I would not recommend using quick oats or instant oatmeal for this recipe due to the quick cook time and under pressure, would most likely result in a very mushy oatmeal. *I have not tested this recipe with quick oats or instant oatmeal, so I do not know exactly what would happen.
I'm fairly certain you could also use Steel Cut Oats (also called Irish oatmeal) with a few modifications. Please keep in mind that I have not tested this recipe using Steel Cut Oats, but these are the modifications I would suggest: reduce the water by ¼-1/2 cup - Steel Cut Oats do not absorb as much water; increase the pressure cook time to 10 minutes on low pressure. If you make this recipe with Steel Cut Oats, please let me know how it turned out and your suggestions. I'd love to hear your feedback!
If you want more information about the different types of oats, here is a an article from Quaker regarding the differences. The Difference Between Steel Cut, Old Fashioned, Quick Cook, and Instant Oats.
Can I Use a Different Kind of Apple in This Recipe?
Of course! You can use your favorite variety of apple in this recipe, just know there are differences in the way they will bake. I chose Granny Smith apples because I love the tartness paired with the sweet brown sugar and they are a very firm apple that holds up to baking. The apples are in direct heat in this recipe, so you may want to decrease the bake time if you use a softer variety of apple?
Here is an article on the 7 Best Apples for Baking.
What if I Don't Have Dark Brown Sugar?
No worries. You can use light brown sugar or you can make your own dark brown sugar by combining 1 cup of white sugar with ¼ cup of molasses. I really love the extra flavor that molasses gives to many dishes and my favorite kind is Golden Barrel Blackstrap Molasses.
Here is how to make Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bake in your Ninja Foodi
Step One: Add 4 cups of water, 2 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp kosher or sea salt and ½ cup dark brown sugar to the inner pot of the Foodi. Stir, but don't worry about the little bubbles of cinnamon. Add 2 cups of Old Fashioned Quaker Oats and stir to combine. Put on the pressure cooker lid and set the pressure to low pressure. Set the time for 5 minutes. Turn the valve to seal and press start. 
Step Two: While the oatmeal is cooking, combine remaining dark brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Peel and slice your apples and toss into the mixing bowl to coat with brown sugar and cinnamon. When the 5 minutes is up, immediately release the pressure by turning the valve to vent. Allow steam to release, and remove the lid.
Step Three: Add in the heavy cream & stir the oatmeal. Place apple slices on top. Put the TenderCrisp lid down and select the Bake function. Set the temperature to 350° F and the time to 15 minutes. When the baking time is done, Serve and Enjoy!
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Ninja Foodi Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 tsp ground cinnamon divided
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar divided
- ½ tsp kosher or sea salt
- 2 cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal see post for more details
- 2 granny smith apples about 1 ½ cups sliced
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of water, 2 tsp cinnamon, salt, & ½ cup cup of dark brown sugar to the inner pot of the Ninja Foodi. Add Old Fashioned oats and stir. Secure the pressure lid and turn the valve to seal. Set the Ninja Foodi to low pressure for 5 minutes. Press start.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining brown sugar and cinnamon. Peel and slice apples and toss in brown sugar and cinnamon mixture to coat.
- When the 5 minutes of pressure cooking is up, immediately release the pressure by turning the valve to vent. Once the steam has finished releasing, open the lid. Stir in heavy cream and top with apples. Lower the TenderCrisp lid and select the bake function. Set the temperature to 350° F and the time to 15 minutes.
- When done, serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
These recipes can easily be adapted to the Ninja Foodi!
Kim
Should I have preheated then pressure pot function? Why does my foodi keep telling me to add water in this recipe? Can you substitute milk for cream?
Louise
You don't preheat with pressure cooking. Yes, you can use milk instead of the cream. In order to troubleshoot the water notice, I need a little more information. What size Foodi are you using and are you making any changes to the recipe. Even small changes can make a difference, like omitting the brown sugar or something like that.
Adam
Had exactly the same issue as Kim. Used all the ingredients listed above. Have even added more water and tried 3 times now and before it even gets out the pressure build up stage it stops and asks for more water. Really looking forward to trying this but has turned in a bit of a stressful activity instead.
Louise
Thanks for letting me know, are you selecting LOW pressure? By chance are you using the 8qt Foodi? I will make the recipe in the morning again because I haven't made it in a while and see what happens for me.
Nedette Otterbein
Hi Kim Made this morning. Same thing. Louise I was using the 8 quart Ninja Foodi nor other changes to the recipe. When I got the "add water" message, the pressure was already released enough to open the lid. When I looked in the oatmeal was already cooked and some moisture was still on the top of the oatmeal. So I just stirred (Oatmeal a little sticky on the bottom of the pot but released fine when I stirred). Then I just continued: stirred in the cream, topped with the apples and baked. It turned out amazing! When completed, the oatmeal came out of pot easy and very little was sticking to the bottom. I thought it might be a mess since it "ran out of water" but no issues there either. Texture of the finished product was awesome. Don't know how to fix the "add water" message except to ignore and proceed. Hope that helps.
Louise
That's interesting. Are you sure your valve was sealed? Once the PC time is over and the keep warm is on and you release the pressure, I've never seen the water notice pop up.
Linda Koby
This is so good! I used a giant Honeycrisp Apple and light brown sugar and half n half since that is what I had on hand. It still turned out perfect in my mind. It is really good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert also. Thanks Louise
Louise
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Barbara
Great taste. This is a very easy recipe to make. Made it this morning and my husband (he will eat oatmeal, but not a favorite) really like this. The texture is great and the flavors are perfect. I added pecan pieces and raisins. I would like to say that I just got my Foodi and all of Louise's recipes have turned out great.
Louise
Thank you so much! My husband loves oatmeal, but me... not so much and I loved this version too!
Sonia L Rowe
This was absolutely delicious!!! It was the creamiest oatmeal I have ever had. I made half of the recipe and it was perfect. My son loved it too. I will definitely be putting this in my recipe rotation. The apples really turned our great too.
Louise
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I don't even like oatmeal that much and I loved this one, too!
Jacqueline Worman
This may sound dumb but do I cut the cooking time in half also?
Louise
No, keep the cooking time the same and that doesn't sound dumb at all!
Jeff
Now THAT'S how to make oatmeal! And this cooking technique really fluffs up the oats nicely. Perfect and delicious!
Louise
Thank you!