Description

This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast perfect for fall mornings or any day you crave a wholesome start. Rolled oats are combined with fragrant cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet diced apples, then baked until golden and set. The result is a hearty, nutritious dish that’s easy to prepare and customizable with nuts and a touch of brown sugar topping for extra sweetness and crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Topping (Optional)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined. This creates the base mixture for the baked oatmeal.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, maple syrup, melted butter or coconut oil, lightly beaten egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and uniform.
Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a good texture.
Add apples and nuts: Fold the peeled, cored, and diced apples into the oatmeal mixture. If using, also fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
Prepare for baking: Pour the oatmeal mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
Add topping: Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top of the oatmeal mixture if you want extra sweetness and a slight crunchy crust after baking.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the oatmeal is set and the top is lightly golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, indicating it’s fully cooked.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked oatmeal cool slightly before serving. This helps it set further and makes it easier to slice.

Notes

You can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk to make this dairy-free.
For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg or another egg substitute and use coconut oil instead of butter.
Feel free to swap apples for other firm fruits like pears or berries to change up the flavor.
The nuts are optional but add nice crunch and healthy fats; leave them out if you have allergies.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick breakfast during the week.
Do not overmix the batter to keep a tender texture in the baked oatmeal.