This easy Apple Cinnamon Paleo Hot Cereal is ready in just 10 minutes, free of added sugar, Paleo, and vegan. Just as delicious for an afternoon snack as it is for breakfast!
I’m sneaking in a recipe today! On a Thursday – yes – this is the day I typically ramble on about thoughts and life, but, I thought you might want to get in on this preeeetty spectacular Paleo breakfast recipe.
A breakfast recipe, that – oh yes my friends – is SWEET and contains no eggs. Sometimes I just don’t want eggs. Or kale. Or meat.
Dare I say even bacon for that matter? (Sounds crazy, but I’ve been on bacon overdrive lately and I’ve had enough. For one day. And yes I know bacon is a meat, but it goes in its own category as far as I’m concerned.)
I guess I’ve also been having a whole lot of fun creating clean-eating recipes with my apples lately, and had to see what else I could do. Don’t you guys love the cinnamon apple combination? Heck yes, for me.
I also find that cooked apples are so much more pleasant on my digestion than raw, and I’m always happy to find new ways to cook them.
What Do I Need to Make Apple Cinnamon Paleo Hot Cereal?
The ingredients are super simple! Here’s what you’ll need:
Coconut Oil
Large Apple (or 2 smaller ones)
Raw Nuts (use your favorite!)
Sea salt
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Shredded coconut
Raisins
Cinnamon
Toppings!
How Long Will it Take to Make Paleo Hot Cereal?
From start to finish, you can make this cereal in just 15 minutes for the quick version. If you want a softer cereal you can cook it longer, with a bit more almond milk.
If you have NO TIME in the morning – whatsoever – you can make the entire thing the night before – minus toppings – and simply top with a bit of almond milk, heat, top and eat. The leftovers might even taste better the next day!
What Are Some Good Toppings for this Apple Cinnamon Paleo Hot Cereal?
As far as toppings go, the sky’s the limit (the sky, or paleo, however you view it!)
The first time I made this I went with sliced bananas and coconut butter for me, almond butter for Adam. The second time, I added bananas and nothing else and it was perfect. I also love topping it with dairy free, paleo friendly yogurt (think coconut, cashew, or almond yogurt) and just a little bit of maple or honey (love this Manuka honey!) if I want extra sweetness.
Add whatever suits your mood, or add nothing at all, up to you!
The last great thing? You can eat this any time of day and it just WORKS. Breakfast, lunch, light dinner (if you roll that way), even dessert.
I actually just had this for lunch because I’m rushing to get work done before picking up the kids, and I had leftovers in the fridge! You’ll love that it’s sugar-free (so not quite a baked-good) but still has some sweetness to it, along with healthy fats.
I hope you’re ready for this seriously delicious, grain free, vegan, and paleo hot cereal! Let’s grab those apples and nuts and all the other yummy stuff in this cereal – time to go!
Easy Apple Cinnamon Paleo Hot Cereal {Sugar-Free, Vegan}
Easy Apple Cinnamon Paleo Hot Cereal {Sugar-Free, Vegan}

Ingredients
For the hot cereal:
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 large apple or 2 small, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup chopped raw nuts walnuts, cashews, pecans or a combination (I used cashews and walnuts)
- 1/8-1/4 tsp sea salt or to taste
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk *or canned light coconut milk, see note
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- dash nutmeg optional
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut finely shredded
- 1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates
Toppings to serve with:
- 1-2 bananas sliced
- unsweetened almond butter or coconut butter
- Additional almond milk
- Paleo/vegan friendly yogurt, like coconut, cashew, or almond milk yogurt of choice
Instructions
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Heat a large saucepan over med-low heat and add the coconut oil until melted.
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Add the apples and nuts, sprinkle with salt, stir, and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples begin to soften and nuts begin to brown
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Lower the heat to low and add the almond milk, shredded coconut, raisins and cinnamon, stir.
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Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Allow to boil while stirring for a minute, then lower to a simmer, cover, and cook another 5 minutes (*see note) until the apples are soft and some liquid is absorbed. Nuts will soften but will still have a crunch*
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Serve hot with toppings like sliced banana, more almond milk (or even NutPods!), coconut butter, your favorite nut butter, or dairy-free yogurt**
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You can also make the hot cereal ahead of time, store covered in the refrigerator (without toppings), heat prior to serving and then add toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*If you have more time and want a softer hot cereal, you can add 1/4-1/2 cup more almond milk and simmer about 10 minutes longer, or until desired consistency is reached.
**You can also drizzle with a little of your favorite sweetener, like maple syrup or honey, or sprinkle with coconut sugar and extra cinnamon.
Nutrition
Want more sweet Paleo breakfast recipes? Try one of these!
Sweet Potato Apple Breakfast Bake
Banana Blueberry Breakfast Bread
Hearty Cinnamon Raisin breakfast Bread
Paleo Hot Cereal on the web:
3 minute Coconut Almond Porridge
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What is the white sauce drizzled over this? I can’t wait to make this. I’m halfway through my Whole30 and need something NEW! 🙂
Almond milk is NOT Whole30 compliant??? At least that’s what I was told and the book says.
Almond milk is a “read your labels” food for Whole30, meaning if the ingredients on the label are compliant, then it’s good to go. Here is the info: https://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/
Just made this for breakfast because I was NEEDING something new for breakfast – so filling and SO delicious! Excited to have leftovers for tomorrow’s breakfast 🙂 your recipes are making Whole30 so much easier! Thank you!
That’s awesome, so thrilled to hear it Rachel!!
Same question as above…what is that delicious looking drizzle?
It’s melted coconut butter, so yummy!
On Day 7 of my second whole30 and my boyfriend’s first. I was scrolling through pinterest looking for whole30 breakfast recipes because we were looking for something without eggs. We are already so burnt out on eggs!!! My boyfriend looked over and saw the picture and demanded it for dessert. We split one serving and didn’t even finish it, it was so rich, delicious, and filling! We are saving our leftoers to accompany breakfast in the morning, and we will definitely make this recipe again and again!
Omg… That was amazing!!! I used pears since I was out of apples and they worked well.
So glad you liked it! Love pears too 🙂
I started the #whole30 aboutt a week ago. Was craving my oatmeal lately. This was sooo much better than oatmeal. Thank you! Used banana and blueberries for topping. Yum!
any thoughts on making this with cashew milk instead of almond milk?
Yup that would work well 🙂
Have you ever frozen this? I’m making a big batch and was wondering how t would be frozen and thawed later? Love this recipe! I use half regular almond milk and half unsweetened chocolate and add pumpkin spice seasoning.
I haven’t frozen it so I’m not sure what to expect with the reheating! I would think it would turn out fine since you’re not really looking for crunch anyway, and can always reheat a bit longer if there’s too much liquid. Glad you like it!
Hi Michele! I’m currently on my first Whole 30 journey and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I’ve featured another one of your recipes on my latest blog post:
15 Quick & Easy Whole30 Breakfast Ideas
http://www.happilyeverhauser.com/2017/03/13/15-quick-easy-whole30-breakfasts/
Awesome! Hope you like this 🙂
Hi,
What is the sauce on top? It looks far too thick to be regular almond milk. Thanks!
Melted coconut butter 🙂