Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy breakfast that feels like a warm hug, you’re going to love this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough to make on a Sunday morning when you want to impress your family or guests. I absolutely love how the apples and cinnamon come together with the oats and nuts for a comforting, wholesome start to the day. Once you try it, you might just find yourself making it over and over again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe works in harmony to create that perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and hearty. I always grab rolled oats for their texture and go for fresh apples that are firm but juicy – they soften just right while baking.

• Rolled oats: Make sure these are rolled, not instant or steel-cut, for the right baked oatmeal texture.
• Baking powder: Adds just the right lift to keep the bake tender, not dense.
• Cinnamon: Use fresh ground if possible; it really brightens up the warm apple flavors.
• Nutmeg: Just a touch adds cozy depth.
• Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy notes.
• Almond milk: I love the subtle nutty flavor it brings, but feel free to use any milk you prefer.
• Eggs: Help bind everything together perfectly.
• Pure maple syrup: Offers natural sweetness and a lovely caramel note – I avoid refined sugar in this recipe.
• Pure vanilla extract: Another layer of warmth and sweetness.
• Medium apples, diced: I use Crispin or Honeycrisp; they hold up well and have a nice balance of sweet and tart.
• Chopped pecans: Adds crunch and a buttery flavor; walnuts or almonds work beautifully too.

Variations

I love how versatile this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe is — you can easily tweak it to fit dietary preferences or whatever you have on hand. I usually switch up the nuts or swap the apples with other fruits depending on the season.

• Add dried fruit: Sometimes I toss in raisins or dried cranberries for an extra burst of sweetness, which my kids adore.
• Make it vegan: Use flax eggs or chia eggs instead of real eggs and your favorite plant-based milk to keep it dairy-free.
• Extra spice kick: Try adding a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for a chai-inspired twist.
• Swap the nuts: Walnuts or almonds make a great substitute if pecans aren’t your favorite or you want to change the texture.
• Gluten-free tweak: Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free if you need to avoid gluten.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, grease an 8×8 inch casserole dish — I prefer using a little coconut oil or butter to keep the edges nice and crisp but not sticky. If you’re using a different size dish, keep a close eye on baking time since the thickness affects cook duration.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together your rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. I like to whisk these well so the spices are evenly dispersed — it really ensures every bite has that lovely warm spice flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. When I do this step, I always taste a little bit to check the sweetness – you can add a splash more maple syrup if you want it extra sweet.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry oat mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined. Then fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans. Don’t overmix or the oats might get mushy — you want them to soak up the moisture but maintain some bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish and lightly press it down to ensure the oats are well soaked. For a pretty touch, sprinkle a few extra pecans and apple chunks on top. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until it turns lightly golden brown. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges pull away slightly from the dish and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let it cool for about 5 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the oatmeal set up nicely so it holds its shape on the plate. Serve warm—it’s perfect on its own or with a splash of milk or yogurt.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a drizzle of pure maple syrup or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for creaminess. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon really elevate the presentation and add extra flavor and texture — it’s like finishing your oatmeal with a little flourish that makes every bite feel special.

Side Dishes

For a fuller breakfast spread, I often pair this baked oatmeal with scrambled eggs or turkey sausage. If you want to keep it vegetarian, a side of fresh fruit salad or warm spiced chai tea and buttered toast complement it beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve served this for holiday brunches, I like to bake it in individual ramekins and top each one with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of powdered sugar — it adds a rustic, festive look. For a fun twist, try layering the oats and apples in clear glasses for parfait-style presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container. The baked oatmeal holds up well for up to 4 days, and flavors even get better as they meld together. Just make sure to cover it tightly so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

Freezing this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe is a game changer for busy mornings! I slice it into portions, wrap them individually, and freeze in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a quick breakfast, just thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave directly from frozen for about a minute or two.

Reheating

Reheat in the microwave or oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. To keep it moist, I usually add a splash of almond milk or cover it loosely with foil when reheating in the oven. This prevents drying out and preserves that warm, soft texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe has become a breakfast staple in my home, partly because it’s so forgiving and partly because it brings such cozy warmth to the start of our day. Whether you’re feeding a crew or just treating yourself, I’m confident this recipe will win you over the same way it did me. So go ahead — gather those simple ingredients, warm your kitchen with the smell of baking apples and cinnamon, and enjoy a dish that’s both comforting and nourishing. You deserve this kind of deliciousness in your mornings!

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