Porridge conundrum

[Lagirl20]

Hi, I’m wondering what the best way to make cinnamon apple date porridge is.
Ingredients would be:
Porridge
Half milk and water
Apples (Bramley or eating?)
Finely chopped dates
Cinnamon
Maple syrup, honey or other sweetener (would rather avoid using if possible)

Should I:
a. Grate the apples, and cook all the ingredients together for 15 mins?
b. Make a compote using the apples, cook all other ingredients together, and stir the compote in?

I would make the compote separately and spoon over when serving. I've tried cooking apples in the porridge and they just end up tasting bland.