How to Make Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
You don’t have to work at a diner to make this healthy baked oatmeal with apples easily. This tasty breakfast will come out with irresistibly sweet, hearty, and warm flavors in eight easy steps.
Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil is a must when greasing your baking dish, ensuring that your apple oat bake doesn’t stick to the edges of the pan. However, you may also use butter or cooking spray, depending on what you have on hand. Rolled oats: It’s essential that you use rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) in your baked oatmeal recipes. When considering the difference between Rolled Oats vs. Quick Oats, remember that instant oats (quick-cooking oats) will melt under high oven temperatures, and steel cut oats will come out thick and gummy. Chia seeds: Though chia seeds are optional, they add deliciously nutty undertones while loading your breakfast with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. You can also incorporate other superfoods, like hemp seeds, to add nutrition to your breakfast bake. Warm spices: The best way to season this healthy baked apple oatmeal recipe is with everyone’s favorite fall classics—ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. You can also add a pinch of apple pie spice for extra warm, woody overtones. Baking powder and kosher salt: These two ingredients are perfect for bringing out this sweet breakfast recipe’s nuanced flavors and giving it a light, pastry-like rise. Large eggs: We use two large eggs to thicken and bind this hearty breakfast recipe. However, if you prefer a vegan apple cinnamon bake, you can substitute these eggs with a flax egg. To make flax eggs, stir together two tablespoons of ground flax seed and five tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Once combined, let the mixture rest for ten minutes to thicken it. It’s ready to add to your batter when it reaches the desired consistency. Milk: I used almond milk in my cinnamon apple oatmeal bake, but any of your favorite types of milk—from dairy-free options (i.e. oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.) to traditional cow’s milk—would work. Unsweetened applesauce: The key to making apple-baked oats as sweet, moist, and tender as possible is preparing your baked oatmeal with applesauce. I prefer using homemade Unsweetened Applesauce because it’s vegan, smooth, and only uses a few simple ingredients.
Vanilla extract Maple syrup: I only use ⅓ cup of maple syrup to sweeten my baked apple oats, but if you like your oatmeal sweeter, you can increase it to ½ cup. Apple: Any of your favorite fresh apples would work in this apple and oatmeal bake, including Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, Braeburn, and even Gala. Depending on your preference, you may also choose whether to use peeled or unpeeled apples for this recipe. However, you must cut them into even-sized cubes before adding them to your mix to ensure maximum tenderness and uniform baking. Nuts: I recommend crunchy pecans, walnuts, or almonds to give your baked oatmeal a touch of earthy, buttery notes. Just be sure to give them a rough chop before adding them to your batter to ensure a balanced flavor distribution and delicious texture. Dates: I love adding dates to my oatmeal recipe due to their rich flavor and chewy texture. However, other dried fruit—including raisins, cranberries, and figs—would also work. Coconut or brown sugar: If you love the deep, toffee-like taste of baked sugar, you may choose to add a sprinkle of coconut sugar or light brown sugar to the top of your baked apple oatmeal.
How to Make Ahead, Store, Freeze, and Thaw?
This apple cinnamon oatmeal bake is one of my cookbook’s most meal prep-friendly breakfast recipes. Take the stress out of your early mornings with this must-have make-ahead breakfast.
Make ahead: To make baked apple cinnamon oats in advance, bake the recipe and let it come to room temperature. Then, store the mixture, covered, in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store: When storing your baked oats, let them come to room temperature first. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. You may also keep your oatmeal in individual portions for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast. Reheat: You can reheat this recipe in the oven at 325 degrees F. for 15 minutes or in the microwave in 30-45-second intervals until warmed through. Freeze: Though you can freeze this baked oatmeal recipe, it will likely come out a bit dry once thawed. However, if you freeze your baked oats, let them come to room temperature first, transfer them to an airtight container, and place them in the freezer. It’s essential, too, to cover the oats tightly to avoid freezer burn. Thaw: To thaw your frozen apple oatmeal, place it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the morning.
What to Serve it With?
A warm cup of coffee or tea is all you need to turn this cinnamon apple baked oatmeal recipe into a five-star breakfast. However, these easy additions will add all the creamy, sweet, and moist flavors you could want from your morning meal.
A drizzle of maple syrup or honey: If you’re a fan of caramelly, floral flavors, I recommend topping your apple breakfast bake with maple syrup or honey. This simple addition will infuse every slice with a rich, complex taste. A dollop of Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt: Add a spoonful of yogurt to this delicious breakfast, and your baked apple oatmeal recipe will come alive with cool, creamy flavors. Breakfast fruit salad: What pairs better with juicy apples than a brilliant blend of your favorite fruits? Made with a customizable mix of bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple, this healthy breakfast option will delight your tastebuds with just fifteen minutes of prep. Maple whipped cream: Transform this wholesome breakfast into a sweet treat the whole family will love with a small dollop of light, fluffy whipped cream. A dollop of almond butter or peanut butter: If you love the nutty, tart combination of apples and peanut butter, you’ll love adding this creamy addition to your apple oatmeal breakfast bake.
Other Baked Apple Recipes
This easy apple-baked oatmeal has all the sweet, tart, and warm flavors you love in your favorite baked apple recipes. Below, you’ll find even more tasty apple recipes to satisfy all your fall cravings.
Oats: To achieve the best texture in this easy breakfast recipe, using the correct type of oats is essential. This delicious apple cinnamon bake requires rolled (AKA old-fashioned) oats for its moist, tender consistency. Instant, quick-cook, and steel-cut oats will result in a burnt, soupy, or gummy bake. Size of your casserole dish: I tested this recipe in both an 8×8 and 9×9 pan, and either size will work when following my recipe instructions. However, if you prefer to make your apple cinnamon baked oats in a larger dish, such as a 9×13 baking dish, double the recipe. Baking it in a muffin tin: You can also prepare this tasty breakfast in muffin tins for perfectly portioned oatmeal cups. Simply divide the batter among the cups of a 12-cup muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Adjusting the sweetness: I designed this healthy breakfast dish with mild sweetness, a moist texture, and maximum nutrition. However, if you prefer a sweeter version, feel free to add more maple syrup, coconut or brown sugar, or other sweet add-ins for a dessert-level recipe. Can be served warm or cold: You can serve this delicious morning recipe warm, room temperature, or cold, depending on your preference.
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If you try this Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
