Apple Baked Oatmeal
If you are looking for a healthy and vegan breakfast treat, this Apple Baked Oatmeal is a perfect choice. It’s hearty, filling, and nutritious to kick-start your day. Even kids will like it by thinking it’s a baked treat.
❤️ You’ll Love This Apple Baked Oatmeal
Flavor & Texture:
- A hearty and chewy texture thanks to the old-fashioned rolled oats.
- With tender, soft apples, chewy, tart cranberries, and a crunch of walnuts in every bite.
- Just a hint of sweetness from maple syrup (not sweet like dessert at all).
- The right amount of warm cinnamon flavor.
Easy to Prepare: You’ll need just one bowl to make the batter. Simply mix everything, pour into the pan, and bake. Simple, right?
Wholesome and Nutritious: Loaded with fiber from the oats, essential fats from the nuts, and vitamins from the apples and dried fruits, it’s a health-packed breakfast option.
Customizable: You can add and experiment with different ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations.
Perfect for All Diets: This egg-free, vegan oatmeal is suitable for diverse diet preferences and great for serving a mixed group of eaters.
🧾 Ingredient Notes
- Almond Milk: I do not combine milk and fruit in my daily diet. Because, as per Ayurveda dairy and fruit is the wrong combination. Of course, occasionally I do eat fruit-based ice creams, milkshakes or fruit custard.
- So I have used almond milk here and it is a dairy-free alternative that adds a nutty undertone. Feel free to substitute with other plant-based milks like oat or soy.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: It Acts as a binder, especially in the absence of eggs, and contributes to the apple flavor.
- Maple Syrup: It is a natural sweetener that complements the apple-cinnamon combination perfectly. Adjust the quantity based on your sweetness preference.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These oats ensure a chewy texture. Avoid using quick cooking or instant oats as they are processed and can become too mushy.
- Ground Cinnamon and nutmeg: They provide warmth and a spiced aroma. Always use freshly grated nutmeg when possible for the best flavor.
- Apple: Choose sweet varieties like Braeburn, Honey Crisp, or Gala.
- Walnuts or Pecans: These nuts add a crunchy texture. You can also experiment with almonds or hazelnuts.
- Dried Cranberries or Raisins: If you prefer other dried fruits, use apricots or figs.
👩🍳 How To Make Apple Baked Oatmeal? (Pics)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
1, 2) Combine almond milk, applesauce, vanilla, and maple syrup in a large mixing bowl.
3, 4) Add rolled oats. Sprinkle in the baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
5, 6) Fold in the diced apples, nuts, and most dried cranberries, reserving some for topping.
7) Pour the mixture into a 9×9-inch baking pan and spread evenly.
8) Garnish with the reserved dried cranberries.
9) Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until set and slightly golden on top.
10) Let it cool slightly, then slice it into 9 even squares. Drizzle with additional maple syrup if desired before serving.
💭 Expert Tips For Apple Baked Oatmeal
- Always use Old-fashioned rolled oats not quick or instant oats.
- Make sure the apples are evenly diced for even cooking.
- Dice the apple into small cubes, so they cook to soft. If you like crisp, crunchy apple pieces in your oatmeal then you can keep big chunks.
- No need to peel the apple, as you won’t notice once it’s baked. But feel free to peel if you prefer that way.
- Do not rest the batter otherwise oats will start to absorb the liquid and the baked result will be dry. So always bake as soon as the mixture is ready.
- Double the recipe for a larger batch and use a 9×13-inch pan.
- You can add chia or flax seeds into the mixture for extra nutrients.
🥣 Storage Instructions
- To Refrigerate, store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To freeze apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, let it cool down completely, cut it into portions, wrap each securely in plastic wrap, and freeze. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- This apple baked oatmeal tastes best when served warm with an extra drizzle of maple syrup.
- However, you can try topping it with yogurt, whipped cream, nut butter drizzle, more nuts, fresh fruits, etc.
Did you try this apple baked oatmeal recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.
Apple Baked Oatmeal
US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup Almond milk
- 1 cup Unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup Maple syrup
- 2 ½ cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Apple, diced into small cubes, choose sweet apples such as Braeburn, Honey Crisp, or Gala
- ½ cup Walnuts, or Pecans
- ½ cup Dried cranberries, or Raisins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine almond milk, applesauce, vanilla, and maple syrup in a large mixing bowl.
- Add rolled oats. Sprinkle in the baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the diced apples, nuts, and most dried cranberries, reserving some for topping.
- Pour the mixture into a 9×9-inch baking pan and spread evenly.
- Garnish with the reserved dried cranberries.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until set and slightly golden on top.
- Let it cool slightly, then slice it into 9 even squares. Drizzle with additional maple syrup if desired before serving.
Notes
- Always use Old-fashioned rolled oats not quick or instant oats.
- Make sure the apples are evenly diced for even cooking.
- Dice the apples into small cubes, so they cook to soft. If you like crisp, crunchy apple pieces in your oatmeal then you can keep big chunks.
- No need to peel the apple, as you won’t notice once it’s baked. But feel free to peel if you prefer that way.
- Do not rest the batter otherwise oats will start to absorb the liquid and the baked result will be dry. So always bake as soon as the mixture is ready.
- Double the recipe for a larger batch and use a 9×13-inch pan.
