If cozy breakfasts make your heart sing, this Baked Oatmeal with Apples is about to become your new favorite morning ritual. Imagine tender oats mingling with sweet, juicy apples and warm spices, all baked together into a dish you can slice and savor. It’s nourishing, comforting, and so incredibly simple to pull together — perfect for lazy weekends, busy weekdays, or anytime you need an edible hug. Trust me, your kitchen will smell like a country bakery, and every bite will remind you why homemade breakfasts are worth waking up for!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this recipe is that it uses pantry staples and just a handful of fresh ingredients, each adding its own special magic. These basics give every bite great flavor, a hearty texture, a hint of sweetness, and a beautiful golden color in the oven. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: The star of the show, these give body and that classic hearty texture you want in baked oatmeal.
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy): Adds richness and helps the oats bake up creamy; use your favorite kind.
- Eggs: These bind everything together, so your oatmeal bakes up set and sliceable.
- Pure maple syrup or honey: Brings out natural sweetness and a lovely flavor—choose whichever you love most.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds a touch of indulgence, making the oatmeal tender and flavorful.
- Vanilla extract: A background note that elevates all the other ingredients—don’t skip it!
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for warmth and a classic pairing with apples.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch adds wonderful depth to the spice profile.
- Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
- Baking powder: Gives the oatmeal bake a light lift so it’s never dense.
- Apples, peeled and diced: Use a crisp variety for best results—this is where the sweet-tart flavor and juicy bursts come in!
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For crunch and a toasty bite—so good, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal with Apples
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter, nonstick spray, or a swipe of oil—this way, every piece will lift out easily and look picture-perfect on your breakfast plate.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, crack in the eggs. Add the milk, maple syrup (or honey), melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until everything is thoroughly blended and silky smooth. This is the luscious base that makes Baked Oatmeal with Apples so irresistible.
Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Now, stir in the oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Mix just until all the oats are coated and the mixture looks uniform. This is the moment when the delicious, cozy aroma of spices starts wafting up from the bowl!
Step 4: Fold in Apples and Nuts
Gently fold in the diced apples and, if you like a bit of crunch, the chopped walnuts or pecans. Distribute them well so every slice is packed with apple goodness and nutty bites.
Step 5: Pour and Bake
Pour the oatmeal mixture straight into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. You can sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar on top if you want a caramelized finish. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and the center feels set if you gently press it. The kitchen will smell absolutely dreamy!
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let your Baked Oatmeal with Apples cool for at least 10 minutes so you can slice it cleanly. It’s wonderful warm, but honestly, it’s delicious at room temperature too. Drizzle a little extra maple syrup or top with a dollop of yogurt—pure heaven.
How to Serve Baked Oatmeal with Apples
Garnishes
The right garnish can transform your oatmeal from humble to holiday-worthy. Try fresh apple slices, a sprinkle of toasted walnuts or pecans, or a dusting of cinnamon. For extra indulgence, a drizzle of warm maple syrup or a spoonful of vanilla yogurt definitely won’t go amiss.
Side Dishes
Baked Oatmeal with Apples is fabulous on its own, but it also makes a lovely centerpiece for a breakfast spread. Serve alongside crispy turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, or fresh berries for a balanced meal. A smoothie or hot cup of coffee is a perfect finishing touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For grab-and-go mornings, slice the oatmeal into bars and wrap them up. Hosting brunch? Try serving in individual ramekins for a sweet touch. You can even layer the oatmeal with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola in parfait glasses for a show-stopping breakfast treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Baked Oatmeal with Apples in a covered container in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 5 days, making weekday breakfasts as easy as reaching for a square, warming it up, and enjoying without any fuss.
Freezing
If you’d like to save some for later (or do a little meal prep), simply cool the oatmeal completely, cut it into squares, and pop them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or give them a gentle zap in the microwave when you need a quick breakfast fix.
Reheating
To reheat, just place a square on a microwave-safe plate and warm in the microwave for about 30–45 seconds. If you’re reheating a larger batch, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through. Either way, the oatmeal will taste like it just came out of the oven!
FAQs
Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?
Steel-cut oats require much longer to cook and different liquid ratios, so they won’t work as a direct swap here. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture in your Baked Oatmeal with Apples.
What type Breakfast
Use any variety you love—Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith each bring their own personality. Honeycrisp and Fuji are a little sweeter, while Granny Smith adds a lovely tartness. Mixing can create an even richer flavor!
Is this recipe gluten free?
Baked Oatmeal with Apples is naturally gluten-free as long as you ensure your rolled oats are labeled gluten free (processed in a gluten-free facility). Just double check your packaging if cross-contamination is a concern.
Can I make Baked Oatmeal with Apples vegan?
Absolutely! Swap dairy milk for your favorite non-dairy option, use melted coconut oil instead of butter, and substitute flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons water, mixed and left to thicken) for the eggs. Use maple syrup, not honey, to keep it vegan-friendly.
Can I add extra fruit or different nuts?
Definitely! Try stirring in a handful of raisins, dried cranberries, or swapping the apples for pears when they’re in season. Pecans, almonds, or even a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds work beautifully for crunch and flavor variation.
Final Thoughts
If you love a breakfast that’s warm, filling, and brimming with soothing flavors, Baked Oatmeal with Apples just might become your signature dish. It’s simple to make, endlessly customizable, and sure to brighten up any morning. Go ahead, bake a batch and see how quickly it disappears!
Print
Baked Oatmeal with Apples Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Oatmeal with Apples recipe is a wholesome and comforting breakfast option that combines hearty oats with sweet apples, warm spices, and nuts for added crunch. Perfect for a cozy morning treat or meal prep for busy weekdays.
Ingredients
For the Baked Oatmeal:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder.
- Incorporate apples and nuts: Fold in the diced apples and nuts, if using.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes until set and golden.
- Cool and serve: Let the baked oatmeal cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with additional syrup or yogurt if desired.
Notes
- This baked oatmeal can be made ahead and reheated.
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith.
- For extra texture, sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
