Cinnamon Baked Apple Oatmeal | Joyful Healthy Eats

Why This Apple Baked Oatmeal Will Become Your Fall Breakfast Fave

Baked oatmeal is great for meal prep because it’s almost like oatmeal in the form of a cake since it’s sliceable!

• High in protein. Vanilla protein powder adds to the cozy flavors in this baked oatmeal, and it also makes this a breakfast with staying power.
• Perfect for meal prep. I love slicing this apple baked oatmeal and stashing half in the freezer and the other half in the fridge for easy breakfasts.
• ALL the fall flavor. We’re talking cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and apple. Yum!
• Easy prep. Why wash a bowl? My version of baked oatmeal has you mix everything right in the baking dish!

What You’ll Need

Here’s an overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this cinnamon apple baked oatmeal. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Oats – I like old-fashioned oats for this recipe; they soften more than steel-cut oats, but they have more texture than quick oats.
• Vanilla protein powder – Since there’s no egg in this recipe, you can make this a vegan baked oatmeal by choosing a plant-based protein powder.
• Spices – Cinnamon is the star, but ground nutmeg adds some background warmth.
• Baking powder – Helps create a lighter texture.
• Salt – To balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor.
• Oat milk – Any milk works, but I like the creaminess of oat milk.
• Unsweetened applesauce – This helps bind everything together and adds extra apple flavor.
• Maple syrup – Honey or date syrup would also work if you prefer them.
• Vanilla extract – Vanilla bean paste is another option.
• Apple – I recommend a firm, sweet-tart apple like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
• Walnuts – Pecans would be tasty too, or leave them out if you’re not a fan of nuts in your baked goods.

How to Make Cinnamon Baked Apple Oatmeal

This cozy breakfast comes together in just a few easy steps.

• Mix the dry ingredients. Add the oats, protein powder, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt to an 8×8-inch baking dish. Whisk to combine.
• Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the oat milk, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.

• Add the toppings. Scatter the diced apples and chopped walnuts evenly over the top.
• Bake. Bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the oatmeal is set and lightly golden around the edges.
• Cool and serve. Let the baked oatmeal cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Baked Oatmeal

Whether you’re making this recipe or another one, here are some tips to help you make sure it turns out perfect.

• Dice the apples small. Smaller pieces of fruit make the baked oatmeal more cohesive and easier to serve.
• Know when it’s done. The center should be set; when you poke it gently, it should spring back. The edges of the baked oatmeal will be lightly browned and pull away from the sides of the pan a bit.
• Let it cool a bit. The oatmeal continues to set as it cools, so it will hold its shape better.
• Top it. Most baked oatmeal recipes (including this one) are lightly sweetened. You can add maple syrup over the top before serving, a drizzle of warm almond butter, or a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.

Variation Ideas

If you want to play around with this recipe to make it your own, here’s some inspiration.

• Add raisins or dried cranberries. You can swap them in for all or part of the walnuts. If you like your raisins plump and soft, try soaking them in warm apple cider for 30 minutes before making the recipe!
• Give it a nut-free crunch. Pepitas add some crunchy goodness without the nuts.
• Switch up the spices. Swap the cinnamon and nutmeg for apple pie spice.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover baked apple oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Slice into individual portions and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to wrap them in plastic wrap, then store the slices in an airtight container.
• To reheat: Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds or warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.

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