Baked Apple Oatmeal

Cozy baked apple oatmeal that fills your kitchen with the most amazing cinnamon-apple smell! Families absolutely love this wholesome breakfast because it tastes like apple pie but gives you energy that lasts all morning. Plus, you can make it ahead of time for those crazy busy weekdays.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 55 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, High-Fiber, Heart-Healthy, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 272 Calories, 8g Fat, 45g Carbs, 7g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Honeycrisp apples: You’ll need 2 large ones, peeled and cored. I love Honeycrisp because they stay nice and firm when baked, plus they’re naturally sweet! Don’t have them? Golden Delicious or Granny Smith work great too.

Whole milk: 1½ cups gives this oatmeal such a creamy, rich texture. You can totally use your favorite non-dairy milk if that’s what you prefer – almond or oat milk work beautifully here.

Unsweetened applesauce: ½ cup adds extra apple flavor and keeps everything moist. This is one of my favorite tricks for making baked oatmeal super tender!

Pure maple syrup: ¼ cup brings just the right amount of sweetness. Real maple syrup tastes so much better than the fake stuff, and a little goes a long way.

Old-fashioned rolled oats: 2½ cups are perfect for this recipe. Make sure you get the rolled oats, not instant – they hold their shape and give you that perfect chewy texture.

Ground flaxseed: 2 tablespoons add extra fiber and a nutty flavor. You can find this in the health food section of most grocery stores.

Neutral oil: 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil keeps everything from sticking. I usually use whatever I have on hand!

Ground cinnamon: 1½ teaspoons make this smell like fall in your kitchen. This is what gives it that apple pie vibe we all love.

Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon adds such a warm, cozy flavor. Pure vanilla extract really makes a difference here.

Baking soda: 1 teaspoon helps everything puff up nicely as it bakes. Don’t skip this little ingredient!

Ground nutmeg: Just ⅛ teaspoon adds a subtle warmth that makes all the flavors pop. A tiny pinch goes a long way with nutmeg.

How to Make Baked Apple Oatmeal

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Chop your apples into bite-size pieces until you have 2 cups. Slice the remaining apple into pretty ¼-inch-thick half-moons for the top.

Step 2: Grab a large bowl and whisk together the milk, applesauce, and maple syrup until everything looks smooth. Then fold in the chopped apples, oats, flaxseed, oil, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, and nutmeg. Mix everything until it’s well combined – don’t worry about overmixing here!

Step 3: Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Arrange those pretty apple slices on top in whatever pattern makes you happy. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender when you poke them with a fork.

Easy and Quick Baked Apple Oatmeal Version

Want to make this even easier? You can skip peeling the apples if you don’t mind the skin – it actually adds extra fiber! Also, you can chop all your apples the same size instead of making those fancy half-moons for the top. It’ll taste just as amazing and save you a few minutes in the morning.

Serving Ideas

This baked oatmeal is honestly perfect all by itself – it’s like having a complete breakfast in one dish! If you want to make it extra special, try adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of extra maple syrup. Fresh berries on the side make it look really pretty too.

Storage

Store your leftover baked oatmeal in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just pop a serving in the microwave for 1 minute. You can also freeze portions for up to 1 month – just bake them straight from frozen at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes until warmed through.

Substitutions

No Honeycrisp apples? No problem! Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Jonagold all work great. Want to make it dairy-free? Swap the whole milk for your favorite plant-based milk. Don’t have flaxseed? You can leave it out or use chia seeds instead.

Pro Tips

• Perfect texture: Make sure you use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant. They hold their shape better and give you that perfect chewy bite.
• Even baking: Spread the mixture evenly in your baking dish so everything cooks at the same rate.
• Apple prep: Keep your chopped apples about the same size so they cook evenly.
• Make-ahead magic: This tastes even better the next day! The flavors have time to meld together overnight.

FAQs

Are baked oats healthy?

You bet they are! Oats are packed with fiber and nutrients, and adding apples, milk, and spices just makes them even more nutritious. This recipe gives you lasting energy without the sugar crash you get from other breakfast foods.

What health benefits do apples have?

Apples are amazing for you! They’re a low-glycemic fruit that gives you fiber and antioxidants. This powerful combo can help protect your heart and brain, plus it may help prevent type 2 diabetes. Pretty awesome for something so delicious, right?

I don’t have Honeycrisp apples, can I use another variety?

Sure! While I love Honeycrisp for their sweet-tart flavor and how they hold their shape when baked, you can definitely use other varieties. Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Jonagold all work beautifully in this recipe.

What type of oats should I use for baked oatmeal?

Go with old-fashioned rolled oats! These are oats that have been steamed and pressed flat. They have a softer texture and cook faster than steel-cut oats, which makes them perfect for this recipe.

How long does baked oatmeal last? Can I make it ahead of time?

This is perfect for meal prep! You can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. It also freezes beautifully for up to 1 month. Just reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake the whole thing from frozen.

I’d love to hear how this baked apple oatmeal turns out for you! Did you try any fun variations or substitutions? Drop a comment and let me know – I always love hearing about your kitchen adventures!