Wake up to this scrumptious Apple Baked Oatmeal! This tasty breakfast recipe is made with delicious, healthy ingredients and loaded with sweet apples and warm, cozy flavors. Best of all, it's so easy to make!
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I love waking up to a tasty breakfast, but I'm not a morning person. So it needs to be something super easy, which is probably why I love Overnight Oats and Breakfast Sandwiches so much!
Since fall is right around the corner, I decided to give my go-to oats a cozy seasonal twist. And this yummy Apple Baked Oatmeal has been on repeat ever since!
This recipe pairs healthy rolled oats with juicy apples, warm cinnamon, and sweet maple syrup ... a combination that practically screams fall comfort food! You're going to love this breakfast bake even before your first bite, because it's going to fill your home with the most amazing scent while baking.
These Baked Oats taste even better than they smell though. And best of all, they're so easy to make (and can even be prepared ahead of time). Perfect for us groggy morning people and anyone craving a simple morning meal!
Have I tempted you to make this yummy apple breakfast recipe yet? Then keep reading for all the delicious details!
Ingredients
This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal uses wholesome, easy-to-find ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Apple - Choose your favorite crisp, sweet apples. I used honeycrisp, but other varieties, like Braeburn, fuji, pink lady, granny smith, gala, and others, will also work.
- Oats - This recipe was developed using old fashioned rolled oats. Avoid instant oats and steel cut oats, because they absorb liquids differently and have differently cooking times.
- Nuts - Chopped nuts add a great flavor and texture to the finished oats. I used walnuts, but pecans or other nuts are fine. You could also skip the nuts, if you prefer.
- Cinnamon - Fragrant ground cinnamon pairs perfectly with fresh apples and gives this oatmeal bake a classic flavor you'll love.
- Maple Syrup - This recipe is sweetened with maple syrup, which pairs perfectly with the apples for an amazing autumnal flavor.
- Vanilla - A little vanilla extract adds another layer of cozy flavor this breakfast recipe.
- Milk - For best results, use 2% or whole milk. Plant based milks also work great (I used soy milk).
- Eggs - The recipe calls for two large eggs, which help bind the ingredients together.
- Leavener - Baking Powder helps the oats rise a bit, lightening the overall texture.
- Salt - A little kosher salt brightens and enhances all the flavors.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, as well as gluten free. If you have an allergy, make sure to use oats marked gluten free to avoid cross-contamination. For a vegan option, use plant based milk and skip the eggs, or use a vegan egg replacement.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a small bowl to lightly beat the egg, a large bowl to mix the oatmeal ingredients together, and an 8 x 8-inch square pan for baking. I used my gorgeous Emile Henry Square Baker ... it's easy to clean and looks so lovely on the table!
How to Make Apple Baked Oatmeal
This sweet breakfast bake couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Mix the ingredients. Stir together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, diced apples, and chopped walnuts. Mix well.
- Transfer to a baking dish. Spray a square baking dish with nonstick spray, then add the apple-oat mixture.
- Bake the oats. You'll know it's done when the oats are set and lightly browned.
- Add toppings and eat. Serve the oats as-is or add a few toppings. I topped mine with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon, but you'll find more serving suggestions below.
Ta da, your Baked Apple Oatmeal is ready to eat! Wasn't that easy?
Variations
Now that you know how to make the basic recipe, have fun experimenting! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Fruit - The apples are tasty on their own, but you could mix in some dried cranberries or raisins for a different flavor and texture. A little diced crystallized ginger would also be a super tasty addition.
- Nuts - I used walnuts when making this, but other nuts will work great, too. Try pecans, pistachios, or almonds. You could also skip the nuts altogether, if you prefer.
- Spices - I kept things simple and just used cinnamon, but other warm spices, like cardamom, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, or allspice, would also be delish. You could also use a blend, like apple pie spice or pumpkin spice.
- Vegan - To make this recipe vegan, use plant based milk and skip the eggs (or use a vegan egg replacement).
- Cups - Want to portion the recipe into single servings before baking? Bake it in a muffin tin instead of a square pan. Make sure to spray the cups with nonstick spray, and keep in mind that the baking time will be about 10 to 15 minutes shorter.
Serving Suggestions
This Baked Oatmeal has a different texture than you might be used to, which you can probably guess from these photos! Unlike the creamy porridge you get when cooking oats on the stovetop, this breakfast casserole has a firmer, bread pudding-like consistency.
You can eat it as-is, or you can serve it with yogurt, sliced apples, and a sprinkle of cinnamon like I did. Some people even like it with milk. If you prefer a sweeter breakfast, sprinkle a little brown sugar over the top or drizzle it with some maple syrup before eating. Yum!
Storage
Apple Baked Oats are a great make ahead breakfast that's ideal for meal prep ... prepare the recipe on Sunday, then enjoy a no hassle meal during the week! Simply refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container, where they'll stay fresh for three to four days. Then reheat gently in your microwave before eating.
You can also freeze leftovers for one to two months. I like to wrap individual portions separately before storing them in a larger airtight container. That way, you can easily pull out a single serving.
Related Recipes
Searching for similar breakfast ideas? Make one of these delicious recipes next:
- Baked Oatmeal - The most basic version of this recipe! Customize it with your favorite fruit and nuts, or enjoy it plain.
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal - If you're looking for more fall-flavored oats recipes, you'll love this one, too!
- Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal - This fruit-packed recipe is a delicious, fruity twist on the basic recipe.
- Peach Baked Oatmeal - This delicious summer recipe is loaded with fresh, juicy peaches!
- Apple Overnight Oats - Make these tasty oats before you go to bed then wake up to a tasty breakfast!
- Overnight Oats - This no cook breakfast couldn't be easier to prepare. Make the basic recipe, then add your favorite toppings.
- Homemade Granola - You won't believe how easy it is to make granola at home.
- Yogurt Parfait - This delicious breakfast parfait is a total morning treat!
Looking for more ways to use apples? Check out all of my apple recipes!
Apple Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 apples, diced (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Equipment
- 8 x 8-inch Baking Dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Stir together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, apples, and walnuts. Mix well.
- Transfer mixture to baking dish, then bake until oats are set and top is lightly browned (about 40 to 45 minutes).
- Serve oatmeal hot or warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks for this nice basic delicious recipe! It turns out so pretty with the peels on the apples.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Joyce! 🙂