This hot apple porridge looks, feels, smells and tastes like the most amazing hot cereal with chunks of cooked apple, vanilla and cinnamon, laced with sweet, plump juicy raisins. But it doesn’t contain any “cereal” or oatmeal at all. In fact, the lovely soft texture comes from blending some of the apples with ground cashews. The flavor is so intensely APPLE and yet, the texture is soft and creamy, with a bit of chew from the apple chunks. A few chopped cashews on top provide a little crunch factor.

Back story: We got a cold spell and the bucket of my dad’s prized honey crisp apples I had stored in the garage all froze. I went looking for things to do with frozen apples. Most of the recipes were for apples that you had intentionally frozen and made into apple pie filling. But I have whole frozen, unpeeled apples. NOT apple pie filling. Somehow I stumbled across this recipe for whole30 hot apple cereal from Food Network. I was so intrigued by the use of cashews and wondered how it would taste.

You guys, I was completely surprised by the results! I absolutely ADORE this comforting hot apple porridge. For so long, I’ve wanted to taste porridge and from what I can tell from the definitions I found, this really IS a porridge. Isn’t porridge in all the nursery rhymes? And the characters in those old childhood rhymes always seem to pine for porridge. So the child in me has been seeking porridge forever. Hurrah, I finally found it!

AND it’s delicious. This makes me so. incredibly. happy!

Is this Hot Apple Porridge recipe Whole30 compliant?

If you are looking for a Whole30 compliant recipe, there is some debate about whether this recipe is compliant. Even though it’s made with Whole30 compliant ingredients, it mimics hot cereal, which is apparently not compliant. Yes, even oatmeal. And mimicking a thing that’s not compliant is, by the strict guidelines, not compliant.

So if you’re going by the book and you’re wanting a whole30 recipe, this isn’t for you. If you’re allowing yourself to indulge in things that taste comforting yet use only whole30 ingredients, then I guess it’s up to you to decide. Also, keep in mind that drinking a glass of fruit juice isn’t allowed either, so you may want to use water instead of apple cider or apple juice.

Personally, I think whole30 is a good thing, but it’s not for me. I’m all for eating whole foods and try to do so as much as possible. But I’m not going to limit things in my diet like cheese or oatmeal or other things I enjoy that are healthy and good for me. However, I totally support those of you doing your whole30 challenges.

If you’re NOT worried about Whole30 Guidelines

But for the rest of us who aren’t worried about whole30 guidelines and just want a hot comforting breakfast: Especially if you love apples, you’ve GOT to try this. (Bonus if you have accidentally frozen apples to use up!) Let your inner child rejoice and enjoy. Especially if you’re on a gluten free, grain free, vegan or lactose free diet.

Of course, children would love this porridge, too. It’s healthy, hot, comforting, sweet and delicious. What’s not to love? Unless you’re allergic to cashews. Then I would suggest trying another nut in its place. Almonds, perhaps?

Also I want to mention: this porridge is THE perfect use for accidentally frozen apples! Let the apples thaw just a bit and you can use a regular peeler to remove the skin, then a good sharp knife to cut the apples apart, remove the core and cut into chunks.

Adapted just slightly from Food Network’s Whole30 Hot Apple Cereal

Hot Apple Porridge (Grain free, Dairy free, Gluten free)

Author: Ann

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

5 large honey crisp apples (or other apples)
3/4 cup light coconut milk (I used Aldi coconut milk, which is similar to Silk coconut milk)
2/3 cup apple cider, apple juice or water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup roasted, salted cashews
2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
A pinch of salt
If you want it sweeter: 1 – 2 Tablespoons real maple syrup or honey, or a bit of sweetener of choice

Instructions

Peel and core the apples and cut into chunks.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the apples, coconut milk, apple cider or water and vanilla. Cook until bubbly, then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced a bit and you can kind of smash an apple chunk with a fork.
Scoop up about half the apple mixture (with some of the liquid) and put in a food processor with the cashews and process until smooth. Pour back into the pot and add the flaxseed, cinnamon, raisins and salt. Cook on medium low until the raisins are softened, stirring frequently. Taste and if the porridge is not sweet enough, add a bit of maple syrup, honey, or sweetener of choice.
Serve in bowls topped with a bit more coconut milk and extra chopped cashews. Enjoy!

Notes

Depending on the sweetness of the apples and whether you choose apple cider vs. water, you may or may not need any additional sweetness.

You can use canned coconut milk or the kind you find in a carton in the milk section of the grocery store. I used the carton version from Aldi, which is quite light in calories, but has lots of calcium and great taste!

RECIPE SOURCE: Sumptuous Spoonfuls – https://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/ … © Copyright 2022, Sumptuous Spoonfuls. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to publish any of my images, please ask first. If you want to republish this recipe as your own, please re-write the recipe in your own words or link back to this post for the recipe.