Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon made with old-fashioned oats, tender apples, and cinnamon. A cozy and delicious breakfast for the whole family!
This baked oatmeal recipe is a heartier version of classic apple cinnamon oatmeal and less sweet than the instant apple cinnamon oatmeal packets that you can find at the grocery store. It has the best texture and incredible flavor!
As a dietitian mom, I've been on the hunt for ways to meal prep breakfasts that my kids will actually eat for years. Can you guess what I always go back to? You guessed it - BAKED OATMEAL!
Believe it or not, I've been making baked oatmeal for over twenty years, but it wasn't until I decided to change it up by adding apples and cinnamon, that my kids joined me in my love for this oh, so cozy breakfast.
And since this baked apple oatmeal recipe is made with eggs, milk, and apples it contains more protein and fiber then most other breakfast options. Plus, it freezes well and is easy to reheat on busy mornings.
So, I'd say it's a win, win! 🙌
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Yum. Easy recipe that makes breakfast reheating quick for my kids! - Lisa
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy Recipe I'm not even kidding when I say the hardest part of the recipe is chopping an apple. Leave the skins on to save time & add fiber to this recipe. Plus, you'll only use one bowl for mixing (no need to mix the dry ingredients or wet ingredients in a separate bowl, so cleanup is a breeze. 😅
- Simple Ingredients Oats, apples, applesauce, oil, egg, brown sugar, milk, cinnamon, and baking soda. All of the ingredients can be found in most grocery stores all year long.
- High in Fiber 5 grams of fiber per serving.
- Meal Prep Make this baked oatmeal recipe once and have breakfast set for days. Leftovers can be re-heated in the microwave for a quick breakfast on busy mornings. *This recipe can be prepared the night before and stored (covered) in the refrigerator overnight, to be baked in the oven the following morning.
- Kid-Approved Use tender apples and bake the oatmeal long enough for the best texture.
Ingredient Notes
- Apple Use any kind of apple to make this recipe. I've used Gala, Cortland, and Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp apples. For more of an apple pie flavor, use granny smith apples.
- Applesauce Use unsweetened applesauce.
- Oats Use Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. Don't use steel-cut oats or quick oats.
- Milk Good source of protein and calcium. I use skim or 2% milk but use what you have.
- Oil I use extra-virgin olive oil because it contains heart-healthy fats. If you don't have olive oil, a neutral flavored oil or even melted coconut oil can be used instead.
- Eggs High in protein. Eggs help bind the recipe together. To make this recipe without egg, use a flax egg instead.
- Brown Sugar Use light or dark brown sugar. A little goes a long way. Coconut sugar can be used instead.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's a quick overview of the steps to make our favorite baked oatmeal recipe. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chop the apple into small pieces.
- Spread diced apples over the bottom of a prepared baking dish.
- Whisk all of the remaining ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Pour the oat mixture over the apples and cinnamon. Spread the mixture out evenly, then bake in the oven for 35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Dietitian Tip
Since apples are high in fiber (both soluble and insoluble), contain vitamin C, rich in the antioxidant quercetin, and naturally sweet, it's a good thing they are super versatile in the kitchen.
Apples can be eaten whole, sliced, served alongside a fruit dip, turned into applesauce, or chopped and added to baked goods, including baked oatmeal.
Helpful Tips
- Use a good quality kitchen knife to make cutting apples into small pieces easier.
- Do not peel the apples. This saves time and helps to optimize the fiber content.
- If you choose to double this recipe, use a 9x11 or 9x13 baking dish.
- For single-serve individual portions, pour mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake for about 25 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight food-storage container. Refrigerate and use within three to four days.
- To make this dairy free for kids with an allergy to cow's milk, use a milk alternative (examples: soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk).
- Recipe Variations: Add up to one cup l of fresh cranberries to the apples before pouring on the oat mixture or stir in crunchy pecans or toasted walnuts into the baked oatmeal mixture. Cranberries are a delicious addition - perfect for the holidays!
Questions You May Have
Yes! Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe food container. Use within three to six months.
Yes, you can but it will change the texture and flavor of the oat mixture.
I choose to use brown sugar instead of pure maple syrup for this recipe because it adds the best texture and enhances the flavor of cinnamon and apples perfectly.
Overnight oats! If you don't have all of the ingredients to make baked oatmeal, make overnight oats and eat them cold or warm. 🙂
Yes! To make individual portions, pour the baked oatmeal mixture into a greased muffin tin and reduce the baking time to about 22 minutes.
Allow the individual portions to cool completely before removing from the muffin tin, then place them in freezer safe and airtight container or resealable bag.
Store refrigerated for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Apple Recipes
Did you make this Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon and love it? Please leave ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and comment below to let me know! A 5-star rating is the best compliment!
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📖 Recipe
Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon
Equipment
- 1 square baking dish 8x8 or 9x9
Ingredients
- 1 Apple One large apple.
- 2½ cup Rolled oats Old fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon I love the flavor of ground Saigon cinnamon from Costco.
- 1 cup Milk I use skim or 2% milk.
- ½ cup Applesauce unsweetened applesauce
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit
- Core and chop the apple into small pieces. Leave the skin on.1 Apple
- Spread apple pieces over the bottom of a greased 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the apple pieces.¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- Mix all remaining ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.2½ cup Rolled oats, 1 cup Milk, ½ cup Applesauce, 2 Eggs, 2 tablespoon Olive oil, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pour oat mixture over apples and spread to form an even layer.
- Bake at 375° for 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a good quality kitchen knife to make cutting apples into small pieces easier.
- There's no need to peel the apples.
- Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within three to four days.
- For dairy free baked oatmeal, use a milk alternative (examples: soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk).
- This recipe is easily doubled, just be sure to use a 9x11 or 9x13 baking dish.
- For single-serve individual portions, pour mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake for about 25 minutes.
- Recipe Variations: Add up to one cup l of fresh cranberries to the apples before pouring on the oat mixture or stir in crunchy pecans or toasted walnuts into the baked oatmeal mixture. Cranberries add incredible flavor, especially around Christmas!
Lisa says
Yum. Easy recipe that makes breakfast reheating quick for my kids! Can’t wait for cranberry season.
Kristi Ruth RD says
I'm glad you enjoy this recipe, Lisa! Cranberry season is right around the corner - can't even wait!