[Updated 2021]

Swap your traditional oatmeal for barley in this heart-healthy, fiber-rich breakfast barley bowl. This cinnamon and apple hot cereal is a welcome morning meal and delicious oatmeal alternative.

While I love all things oatmeal – both sweet and savory – and use it in a variety of recipes, sometimes it is nice to break the morning routine and try something new. That’s why I decided to give heart-healthy barley a turn at our breakfast table. The results were a resounding YUM and based on the popularity of this recipe over the last 6 years, I would say you strongly agree! 

Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Barley

This easy barley recipe is so versatile. Essentially, if you can follow the directions on the box to cook barley then you can create any flavor combo you desire. I love pairing apples and cinnamon together but you could easily adapt this heart healthy breakfast recipe to use sweet summer berries, peanut butter and/or bananas. You could even make a savory breakfast barley by stirring in tomatoes and basil and topping with a poached egg.

Want more breakfast ideas? Check out these 31 Low Sugar Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings!

Make Breakfast Barley Ahead

Because barley can’t be popped in the microwaved and prepared in 60 seconds, plan to make extra barley when preparing for breakfast. Store leftover (cooked) barley in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop by stirring in 2 tablespoons of milk, heating until desired temperature then stirring in favorite ingredients. 

Health Benefits of Barley

Bye bye, hypertension medicine. See you later, Lipitor. It’s time to kick those statins and beta blockers to the curb! Loaded with fiber, a diet rich in barley has been found to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and control blood sugar. According to the Whole Grains Council, pearled barley (which is used in this recipe) is not technically a whole grain (as small amounts of the bran are missing) – but it’s full of fiber and much healthier than a fully-refined grain. Plus, it cooks up faster than hulled barley.

Love it? Pin it!

Have you ever tried barley for breakfast? If not, step outside your comfort zone and try this oatmeal alternative one morning.

Print

Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Barley

• Author: Holley Grainger, MS, RD
• Yield: 3 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Description

Keep leftover barley stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop by stirring in 2 tablespoons of milk then heating.

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked pearled barley
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh apples

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add barley, bring water to a boil, and then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 35 to 40 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed. Stir in walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add ½ cup milk, stirring until mixture is creamy, barley is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add an additional ½ cup milk, if necessary, to reach desired consistency.
2. Divide barley evenly among 3 bowls. Top each bowl with apples.

More Easy Breakfast Recipe Ideas

Breakfast Brunch Board

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl

Make Ahead Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Check Out These Heart Healthy Breakfast Recipes Featuring Oats 

Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats

36 Ways to Eat Oats 

Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal

Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats