Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe
If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that’s both wholesome and crave-worthy, Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe will win your heart (and your morning appetite). Each spoonful is bursting with the warmth of cinnamon, sweet apples, and tender oats baked together, delivering comforting nostalgia alongside a nourishing start to your day. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe brings irresistible aromas and comforting textures to your table, making every breakfast feel special and satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe is just how accessible it is. Every ingredient plays a starring role, from creating soft, chewy oats to infusing the dish with natural sweetness and spicy warmth. These simple ingredients come together to create a breakfast that feels both elevated and effortless.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: These are the star and base of your dish, giving that signature texture and making the oatmeal deliciously hearty.
- Ground cinnamon: Just the right amount infuses cozy warmth and makes your kitchen smell incredible as it bakes.
- Baking powder: A touch of this lifts the oatmeal, giving it a lovely, light structure that’s not too dense.
- Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and making all the flavors pop.
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy): Keeps everything moist and creamy, so each bite is perfectly tender—use your favorite variety!
- Pure maple syrup or honey: Naturally sweetens the oatmeal and adds caramel-like depth; choose your favorite.
- Large eggs: These bind everything together and help the oatmeal bake up nice and set.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that extra layer of bakery-fresh aroma and flavor you just can’t skip.
- Melted butter or coconut oil: This adds richness and keeps the texture moist—choose based on your taste or dietary needs.
- Medium apples (peeled, cored, and diced): The apples bake into sweet, juicy bites that make every forkful delightful.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For extra crunch and nuttiness; stir in or sprinkle on top as you like.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by heating your oven to 350°F, setting the stage for a beautifully baked oatmeal. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and even baking. This simple prep step means your oatmeal lifts out of the pan effortlessly and creates minimal cleanup afterward.
Step 2: Mix Up Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well blended—this evenly distributes the spices and leavening, guaranteeing every bite will be packed with flavor and just the right consistency.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl and whisk together the milk, maple syrup (or honey), eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter (or coconut oil). This step ensures all the wet ingredients are fully combined, which helps the oats bake up creamy and cohesive instead of clumpy.
Step 4: Combine and Fold in the Apples (Plus Nuts)
Now, pour the wet ingredients into your dry oat mixture. Stir gently until you have a cohesive batter. Next, fold in those sweet, chopped apples and, if you’re a fan of extra texture, the walnuts or pecans. Each fold tucks delicious bites of fruit and nutty crunch into the mix.
Step 5: Pour, Spread, and Bake
Transfer the oatmeal mixture to your greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly for a uniform bake. Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal feels set. Your kitchen will fill with irresistible aromas—resist peeking too often!
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. This short wait lets the oatmeal firm up, making it easier to slice into neat squares. Now slice, serve warm, and savor the rewards of your effort!
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe
Garnishes
The finishing touches matter! Top your baked oatmeal with a drizzle of maple syrup, a crown of fresh apple slices, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. A light sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of chopped toasted nuts elevates both looks and flavor for a breakfast that looks as inviting as it tastes.
Side Dishes
If you want to round out your breakfast table, serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe alongside crisp bacon or breakfast sausage for a sweet-savory combo. Add some scrambled eggs, or pair with a bowl of mixed berries for an effortlessly balanced morning meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special brunches or on-the-go mornings, slice the oatmeal into bars and wrap them individually. Layer warm pieces in a bowl with yogurt and a scatter of extra apples for a breakfast parfait. You can also serve it in cute ramekins for personal-sized portions that really feel like a treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover baked oatmeal stores beautifully! Simply let the dish cool completely, then cover tightly or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days—an instant breakfast awaits you every morning.
Freezing
Planning ahead? Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe is freezer-friendly. Cut cooled oatmeal into squares, wrap them individually, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Just label with the date and you’ll always have a cozy breakfast at your fingertips.
Reheating
Reheating is a breeze—microwave individual slices for about 30 to 60 seconds until warmed through. If you’re serving the whole dish again, cover your baking pan with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until hot. Add a splash of milk before reheating to revive that freshly baked texture.
FAQs
Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?
Steel-cut oats require a longer cooking time and more liquid, so they aren’t a direct substitute here. For the best texture and quick prep, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats, which yield a perfectly tender bake every time.
Is Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! As long as you use oats that are certified gluten-free, this baked oatmeal fits perfectly into a gluten-free diet, making it a safe and delicious option for those with gluten sensitivities.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
It’s easy to make this dish vegan-friendly: opt for non-dairy milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace the eggs with a flaxseed or chia seed egg substitute. Maple syrup is the sweetener of choice for a 100% plant-based version.
Can I prep Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! You can mix the ingredients the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it in the morning for a fresh, hot breakfast, or bake it entirely in advance and reheat as needed for stress-free mornings.
What apples work best for this recipe?
Any firm, baking-friendly apple works great—think Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. Each brings a slightly different sweetness or tartness, but all will hold their shape and add bursts of juicy flavor after baking.
Final Thoughts
If your breakfast routine ever needs an upgrade, reach for Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe and treat yourself to something that feels both nourishing and special. I hope you love every cozy bite as much as I do—grab your apples and oats and give it a try soon!
Print
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: The Perfect Breakfast Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is a delicious and wholesome breakfast dish that combines the heartiness of oats with the sweetness of apples and warm cinnamon flavors. This easy-to-make baked oatmeal is perfect for busy mornings or as a make-ahead option for a nutritious start to your day.
Ingredients
Oatmeal Mixture:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Mixture:
- 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
Add-Ins:
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together milk, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Fold in apples and nuts if using.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the baking dish, spread evenly, and bake for 35-40 minutes until set and golden on top.
- Serve: Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- You can prepare this dish ahead and reheat individual slices for a quick breakfast.
- Adjust milk quantity for desired texture.
- Top with maple syrup, yogurt, or fresh fruit when serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
