Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Start your day with the warm, comforting flavors of Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal! This easy-to-make recipe combines heart-healthy oats, sweet apples, and warming spices to create a wholesome breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or as part of your weekly breakfast recipes meal prep, these oatmeal cups are sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten-free if needed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for warmth and sweetness
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional for extra spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder for a light texture
- ¼ teaspoon salt to balance the flavors
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional for added crunch
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or your preferred milk
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce for moisture and sweetness
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey for natural sweetness
- 1 large egg or flax egg for a vegan option
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for extra flavor
- 1 cup finely diced apple Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and nuts (if using). Stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together almond milk, applesauce, maple syrup (or honey), egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Bring It All Together: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until fully combined. Fold in the diced apples, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Fill the Muffin Tin: Using a spoon or measuring cup, divide the oatmeal mixture evenly into the muffin cups, filling them about ¾ full. Press down gently to compact the mixture.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the oatmeal cups to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm, or let them cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store leftover oatmeal cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cups in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Double the recipe and freeze a batch for quick, ready-to-go breakfasts throughout the week.