Low-Carb Apple Cinnamon Noatmeal is a warm, cozy, fruit and grain-free alternative to traditional oatmeal that’s perfect for fall mornings or any time you’re craving something comforting. Instead of oats, this version uses chayote, nuts, chia seeds, and almond milk to create a creamy, porridge-like bowl with all the cinnamon-apple vibes, without the carbs. It’s hearty, naturally sweetened, and full of satisfying texture.
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I make this Apple Cinnamon Noatmeal when I want something warm and filling but still light, nourishing, and low-carb. The chayote softens beautifully as it cooks, the chia seeds thicken everything into a cozy porridge, and the nuts add crunch and richness. It’s easy to customize, reheats well for meal prep, and tastes amazing hot or cold. If you’ve ever missed oatmeal on a low-carb or grain-free diet, this noatmeal will absolutely hit the spot.
Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Apple Cinnamon Noatmeal
Most low-carb oatmeal substitutes lean on almond flour or coconut flour bases that end up dense and eggy instead of porridge-like. Chayote solves that problem in a way most people wouldn’t expect, since it’s a vegetable most home cooks have never cooked with, let alone thought to use for breakfast.
Chayote takes on the texture and flavor of whatever it’s cooked with, which is exactly why it works here. Simmered slowly with cinnamon and almond milk, it goes soft and mild in a way that reads as oatmeal once the chia seeds thicken everything up. Scraping the bottom of the pot often as it cooks matters too, since the chia seeds can stick and scorch if you walk away for too long. For more low-carb breakfasts like this one, check out my Breakfasts collection.
What You’ll Love About Keto Apple Cinnamon Noatmeal
- It genuinely satisfies an oatmeal craving without a single oat anywhere in the recipe, which is a hard thing to pull off on a low-carb plan.
- It reheats well for a full week of breakfasts, so one pot on a Sunday solves several mornings at once.
- It’s naturally sweetened with just a little stevia, so it doesn’t lean on a heavy dose of sweetener to taste like a comfort-food breakfast.
Ingredients
- Chayote squash – You can find this firm squash in the produce section of your grocery store.
- Sliced almonds – Toast them first for the best flavor.
- Pecans – Chopped pecans work best.
- Chia seeds
- Cinnamon – Fresh spices always have the best flavor.
- Stevia powder
- Unsweetened almond milk
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Noatmeal
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Hold the chayote under running hot water as you peel it—this keeps the sticky sap from sticking to your hands. Slice the chayote in half, remove the core, and cut it into small cubes so it cooks quickly and evenly.
Add the diced chayote to a medium-sized pot along with the sliced almonds, pecans, chia seeds, cinnamon, stevia, and almond milk. Give everything a good stir to blend the ingredients.
Turn the heat to medium and let the noatmeal come to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30–40 minutes, stirring often. The chia seeds can stick to the bottom of the pot, so make sure to scrape the bottom as it cooks.
Once the mixture has thickened and the chia seeds have absorbed most of the almond milk, turn off the heat. Let the noatmeal cool slightly before serving or refrigerating.
Serve warm in a bowl with extra cinnamon, chopped nuts, or sliced fruit on top—or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Top your keto-friendly noatmeal with extra nuts, cinnamon, sugar-free maple syrup, or sliced berries. Add a scoop of Greek yogurt for creaminess or drizzle with almond butter for extra richness. This noatmeal also works great as a make-ahead breakfast—portion it into containers and enjoy all week.
STORAGE
Store cooled low-carb noatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat with a splash of almond milk on the stovetop or in the microwave to loosen the texture. This recipe thickens as it sits because of the chia seeds, so add more milk as needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Chayote is a mild, firm squash usually sold in the produce section near other squash varieties. It softens as it cooks and takes on the flavor of whatever it’s simmered with.
No, despite the name, there’s no apple anywhere in the ingredients. Chayote and cinnamon together create that cozy, apple-oatmeal flavor without any real fruit involved.
The chia seeds keep absorbing liquid even after the noatmeal is done cooking. Stir in a splash of almond milk when reheating to bring it back to a pourable, porridge-like texture.
Yes, any unsweetened low-carb milk alternative works here, adjust to taste since some have different levels of sweetness and richness than almond milk.
Add Preferred SourceApple Cinnamon Noatmeal
Equipment
- Medium-sized pot
Ingredients
- 1 chayote
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup pecans
- 4 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon stevia powder
- 4 cups unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Peel the chayote under running hot water. Slice in half, remove the core, and cube the fruit into ½ inch dice.
- Add diced chayote, almonds, pecans, chia seeds, cinnamon, stevia, and almond milk to a medium pot. Stir well.
- Simmer over medium heat for 30–40 minutes, stirring often so the chia seeds don’t stick.
- Once thickened, turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
- Serve warm or cold.
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Scrape the bottom of the pot often while it simmers. Chia seeds settle and stick easily, and a scorched bottom will throw off the flavor of the whole batch.
- Stir in a splash of almond milk when reheating leftovers. The chia seeds keep thickening in the fridge, so leftovers need a little loosening up before serving.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
