Description
A wholesome and nutritious Apple, Carrot, and Oat Breakfast Bake that’s perfect for a hearty morning meal. This bake combines the natural sweetness of apples and carrots with the heartiness of oats, enhanced with warm spices and optional nuts and seeds for extra texture and nutrition. Easy to prepare and bake, it’s ideal for meal prep and can be enjoyed warm and comforting, topped with yogurt or maple syrup.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease or line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Prepare the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and diced apples, grated carrot, rolled oats, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Mix these dry ingredients well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup or honey if using. This mixture will bind the dry ingredients and add moisture and sweetness to the bake.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to combine. If you choose to include optional ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, nuts, or seeds, fold them in gently to distribute throughout the batter.
- Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating it’s cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. Slice into squares and serve warm. For extra flavor, top with a dollop of yogurt or drizzle with maple syrup as desired.
Notes
- Use rolled oats for best texture; quick oats may make the bake too dense.
- Maple syrup or honey is optional and can be adjusted depending on your preferred sweetness.
- Feel free to substitute nuts with seeds or omit for nut-free versions.
- Make sure to check doneness with a toothpick to avoid undercooking.
- This bake can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick breakfast.
