Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
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Make this hearty Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal for a hot breakfast that’s as wholesome as it is delicious! Perfect for meal prepping or feeding the whole family during the fall season and cold weather, this comforting and easy breakfast bake features warm and sweet flavors that melt in your mouth!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
When the weather gets colder, I start craving filling and warm meals on chilly mornings. Even better if they’re sweet but still good for you, like these Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins!
This super tasty oatmeal bake fits into that category perfectly. It’s packed with healthy oats, bites of sweet apples, and warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.
Great as a make-ahead dish that’s perfect for a delicious breakfast all week, baked oatmeal is also excellent to serve for a cozy brunch alongside a protein-filled recipe like Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs or these Wonton Egg Bites.
Ingredients you will need
Rolled Oats: make sure you go for rolled oats (or old fashioned oats) here as opposed to instant oats (also sometimes called quick oats). The instant oats will cook too fast and end up too mushy.
Chia Seeds: loaded with fiber and other nutrients, adding chia is a great way to make this apple cinnamon oatmeal super filling for long lasting energy.
Seasonings: I used cinnamon and nutmeg for a sweet and warm flavor, and a pinch of salt to balance and enhance all of the sweetness.
Brown Sugar: provides a touch of sweetness and that classic complex sweetness that pairs perfectly with the warm flavors of this oatmeal.
Fresh Apples: Honeycrisp apples are an awesome choice here for their sweet and tart flavor and nice juicy texture.
Milk: this can easily be substituted for non-dairy milk (almond milk and oat milk work well), or use low-fat milk for a lighter result.
Eggs: act as a binding agent and help this dish take shape as it bakes.
Vanilla Extract: adds a splash of extra sweetness that rounds out all the warm flavors.
Unsalted Butter: gives the whole dish buttery flavor that makes this oatmeal bake an ultimate early morning comfort food.
How to make apple cinnamon baked oatmeal
- Preheat and prep. Set the oven to 325 degrees F and grease a pan (8×8 and 9×9 both work).
- Mix dry ingredients. Combine the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and diced apples in a large bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla.
- Prepare the oatmeal. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, then pour in the melted butter and stir to combine well.
- Pour and bake. Spread the oat mixture into your prepared pan, then bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the center is set.
Customize it!
- For some added flavor, dust the top of your oatmeal bake with some additional cinnamon and nutmeg, or even a bit of powdered sugar. You can also top it with chocolate chips, Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or toasted coconut.
- Add raisins, dried cranberries, or other kinds of dried fruits into your oat mixture before baking.
- Top with chopped walnuts or pecans, a small scoop of almond butter or peanut butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, or slices of banana.
- In addition (or instead of) the chia seeds, add some hemp seeds or ground flax seeds.
- If you want an even lighter version of this baked oatmeal, substitute applesauce or coconut oil for the melted butter.
- This recipe can also be doubled and baked in a 9×13 pan if you’re looking to make a big batch to feed a large crowd for a holiday brunch or other special occasion.
- Use steel cut oats instead of rolled oats if you prefer a firmer, chewier result.
- For a slightly different flavor, use granny smith apples, gala apples, or substitute with your favorite type of apple.
Tips for meal prepping baked oatmeal
If you want healthy breakfasts throughout the week, this apple cinnamon oatmeal is perfect for meal prep to combat those busy mornings! You can divide your oat mixture between ramekins and bake for individual portions to make things super easy.
Another great option is to cut it into perfectly sized pieces and divide it between storage containers. This also allows you to easily transport your oatmeal if you need breakfast on the go!
How to store baked oatmeal
Allow your baked oatmeal to fully cool, then transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. If you have to layer the oatmeal for storing, place some sheets of parchment paper or wax paper in between to prevent sticking.
Freezing baked oatmeal
Baked oatmeal will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To make things easy, you can wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap for quick and convenient thawing and reheating.
Reheating apple cinnamon oatmeal
To reheat your leftover baked oatmeal, cook covered in the microwave in 30 second increments. You could also place the oatmeal back in the oven at 350 degrees F. It should take about 10 minutes to heat all the way through.
If you’re worried about the leftovers drying out or getting tough while reheating, add an extra splash of milk.
Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal FAQs
Absolutely! This delicious recipe is packed with healthy nutrients and protein, and it’s fairly low in calories and carbs. Pair that with the fact that it basically tastes like dessert and you’ve got the perfect breakfast!
Yes, oats are naturally pretty high in fiber. This will help you feel fuller for longer and can also have other benefits like lowering cholesterol, supporting digestive health, and controlling blood sugar levels.
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Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, more or less depending on how sweet you like it
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup diced honeycrisp apples, about 1-2 apples
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 9X9 or 8X8 inch baking pan with butter.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, salt, and diced apples.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and add the melted butter, stirring to combine.
- Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center is set.
- Serve with a dollop of nut butter, a dash of cinnamon, or chopped walnuts.
