Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is kind of a thing in my house. It all started with my banana bread baked oatmeal. It has been a regular staple at breakfast time for years. So of course I started to branch out. I make blueberry baked oatmeal, peanut butter banana baked oatmeal, peach baked oatmeal and also pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips for a fun treat in the fall. I’ve also got tons and tons of other healthy oatmeal recipes if you want to check them out. Yup, we are oatmeal lovers through and through in this house. Today we’re channeling some fall vibes with this warm apple cinnamon baked oatmeal.

It’s loaded with whole grains, naturally sweetened and perfect for starting the day off right. It also smells amazing as it’s baking. So warm and cozy and has all the fall feels. (And if you love apples like we do, check out these fun apple facts. Yes, I’m a nerd. ) It’s perfect for a kid-friendly healthy breakfast before school, but it’s also great for the grown-ups with your morning cup of coffee or tea. Or mimosa. Whatever. You know I don’t judge.

Now, I’ve got some notes and substitutions coming up on how to make apple cinnamon baked oatmeal. Just tryin’ to be helpful. If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Notes on making apple cinnamon baked oatmeal:

I always use old-fashioned rolled oats for baked oatmeal. I recommend those over quick oats or steel cut oats for this recipe. You can use skim or 2% milk or an alternative milk product like soy milk or almond milk for this recipe. The mixture will be liquidy before baking. This is normal and the oats will soak up all that liquid as it bakes. Do make sure you let this sit for a while after baking though. It’ll set up all the way so that it doesn’t crumble when you go to cut it. (I recommend waiting at least 10 minutes but 20 minutes is even better.) I usually go with a sweet red apple, like Fuji or Gala, but you could try this with your favorite baking apple.

Also, in case you haven’t had baked oatmeal before, it’s something you eat with a fork. It’s not like my breakfast bars that you can pick up and hold. This is a soft, crumbly oatmeal square that you’ll need to eat sitting down - or at least standing over your plate. Want to make this dairy-free and/or vegan? Totally do-able.

How to make vegan apple cinnamon baked oatmeal:

– Use your non-dairy milk of choice for this recipe, such as soy milk. – Substitute a flax egg for the egg. – Choose maple syrup instead of the honey for the sweetener. – Use coconut oil in place of the butter.

We love this warm and at room temperature. I like it cold from the fridge as well, but no one else in my family does, so go with what you like. If you are making this oatmeal ahead, which is a great idea, and want to serve it warm, just pop a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. (It may take a little longer if it’s really cold straight from the fridge.) You can also flip it over to make sure it heats through since these are thick slices. The oatmeal is flavorful and sweet enough on its own but you can also add toppings if you like. (You know I’m always going to give you topping ideas!)

Topping ideas for apple baked oatmeal:

Extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup Smear of apple butter Smear of peanut butter A few mini chocolate chips

Finally, let’s chat about the leftovers. Cause this is a great make-ahead breakfast to have on hand in the morning, ready to go for you.

How to store baked oatmeal:

– This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal will keep covered, on the counter, for up to 3 days. – After that, I recommend you move it to the refrigerator. It will keep there for another 2-3 days. – You can also freeze the leftovers. Cut your baked oatmeal, once cooled, into squares. Place them in a freezer-safe ziptop bag (that’s labeled!) and freeze for up to 6 months. To thaw, just place in the refrigerator overnight. You can then warm it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. You can also warm it in the microwave straight from the freezer in a pinch. Start with 45 seconds and add time (and possibly turn it upside down) as needed to get it thawed and warmed through. I hope you give this a try for a new favorite way to enjoy baked oatmeal. Happy fall! XO, Kathryn P.S. Stay tuned: I’ve got more healthy fall breakfast recipes coming your way soon. You can also sign up for my free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!

To make vegan apple cinnamon baked oatmeal:

Topping ideas for apple baked oatmeal:

Extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Smear of apple butter or peanut butter
A few mini chocolate chips

Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal - 4

title: “Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-16” author: “Jerry Kinkel”

4.46 295 Published Sep 21, 2023, Updated Aug 30, 2024 This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is inspired by one of my favorite seasons: fall! I love visiting apple orchards and creating alllll the apple recipes. My ideal weekend would involve a cool, crisp morning, a cozy sweater and some sort of baked apple treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The apple cinnamon combo is chef’s kiss and perfect for fall! It’s perfect for meal prep! Make a batch during your weekend meal prep and have breakfast ready to go for the week. Easy to make directly in one bowl. Yay for less dishes! It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free.

Who Invented Baked Oatmeal?

Since my obsession with baked oatmeal, I’ve been determined to figure out who invented baked oatmeal. I’ve yet to find the answer, but a lot of the old baked oatmeal recipes I’ve found come from the Amish, who made baked oatmeal to fuel their long days working on the farm. Most of the Amish baked oatmeal recipes involve apples, raisins, and cinnamon so the recipe I’m sharing is inspired by that flavor combination, but without the butter, eggs, and milk! We’re keeping things vegan and dairy-free for my version! I’ve made a similar version before with steel cut oats, but this version is just as tasty and cooks up a bit faster. Here’s the baked steel cut oatmeal recipe, if you’re interested.

Ingredients Needed

rolled oats – makes for a super creamy bowl of oatmeal and are my personal favorite! Make sure you grab certified gluten-free if necessary. I like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats. unsweetened applesauce – make your own homemade applesauce or use store-bought. Just make sure it’s unsweetened if you go that route. non-dairy milk – I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk. You can also make homemade almond milk using my recipe. You can use whatever milk you prefer! flaxseed – flaxseeds are great sources of healthy fats, fiber and even plant-based protein! maple syrup – one of my preferred natural sweeteners. You can totally skip this or use another liquid sweetener like honey or agave. coconut oil – gives the baked oatmeal a nice moist texture. baking powder – rising agent that helps lighten the texture of the baked oatmeal. It prevents it from becoming too dense or heavy. vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and sea salt – to enhance the flavors! apples – you’ll need about 1-2 apples, peeled and finely chopped into pieces. raisins – the perfect companion to apples and cinnamon!

How to Make

Baked oatmeal is pretty much just a matter of mixing and baking. Nothing fancy! In a large bowl, add the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, almond milk, flaxseed, unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla and stir to combine. Fold in the raisins and diced apples. Pour the oat mixture into a prepared baking pan, top with a few extra apple slices and bake at 375ºF for about 40 minutes or until the center is set. This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal recipe is absolutely delicious with a drizzle of almond butter, a splash of almond milk, or maple syrup on top.

Substitutions & Notes

Oats – Rolled oats work best for baked oatmeal and I don’t recommend swapping them for quick oats or steel-cut oats as the liquid ratio and cook time will differ. If you’re looking for a baked oatmeal recipe that’s made with steel-cut oats I suggest checking out this apple baked steel cut oatmeal recipe instead. Milk – Any non-dairy milk will work here. Almond, oat, soy, or even coconut milk can be used depending on your preference. Sweetener – If you’re out of maple syrup, you can substitute with honey or agave syrup. Just note that this will slightly alter the flavor profile. Flaxseed – Chia seeds can be a good alternative to flaxseed if you’re looking for another source of omega-3 fatty acids. Or you can use 1 egg if you don’t need this recipe to be vegan. Coconut oil – If you prefer not to use coconut oil, you can substitute with another mild-flavored oil like avocado oil or even melted unsalted butter for a non-vegan option. I’ve also made baked oatmeal without coconut oil and it turned out just fine! Raisins – Feel free to swap out the raisins for other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a different twist. Another good substitute would be nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans. Spices – If you want to add even more spice to this baked apple oatmeal recipe you could add a dash of nutmeg, ginger, allspice and/or apple pie spice.

How to Serve Apple Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is not only a great everyday breakfast recipe, it’s also a lovely addition to a brunch spread. Here are some ideas on what to serve it with:

Eggs: Pair it with a savory egg dish! Try this dairy-free spinach quiche or this delicious hash brown breakfast casserole. Fruit: a bowl of fresh fruit like this easy fruit salad recipe will be an excellent addition to serve alongside this baked oatmeal. Cocktail: if you’re serving this recipe for an adult brunch pair it with some mimosas or these peach bellinis. Coffee: serve this baked oatmeal with a warm cup of plain coffee, this creamy iced coffee or a homemade pumpkin spice latte. Toppings: I love adding a drizzle of maple syrup and sliced apple with a dash of cinnamon for something sweet, but there’s plenty of other options. Try adding some crushed nuts for a bit of a crunch. Or enjoy with a dollop of your favorite yogurt for some added protein! As a dessert: Transform this healthy breakfast into a dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of this date caramel sauce.

Can You Make Baked Oatmeal Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can totally make baked oatmeal ahead of time, and that makes it perfect for meal prep! There are a couple of options that work really well.

Option 1: Bake and Then Reheat Before Serving

Option 2: Prep as Much as You Can Without Baking

How to Store & Reheat

In the fridge: Allow the baked oatmeal to cool, then cover the baking dish with a lid or plastic wrap or transfer individual portions to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. In the freezer: You can also freeze baked oatmeal for up to 3 months. To do this, let the oatmeal cool completely, then cut into portions and store in freezer-safe containers or bags. To reheat the entire pan of baked oatmeal: Cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350ºF for about 20 minutes or until warm. To reheat individual portions: Set oven or toaster oven to 350ºF and bake for 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave for 1 minute. Once warm, add your toppings and enjoy!