Description

This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is a wholesome, hearty, and delicious baked oatmeal recipe perfect for a healthy start to your day. With a comforting blend of rolled oats, warming spices, sweet apples, and optional mix-ins like nuts and dried fruit, it offers a cozy texture and nourishing flavors. Easy to prepare and great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping, this breakfast bake combines nutrition and taste effortlessly.

Ingredients

Oatmeal Base

3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple Topping

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite baking apple)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Add-Ins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup shredded coconut
Chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) – optional

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the oatmeal breakfast dish.
Prepare the Apple Topping: Peel, core, and dice apples into 1/2-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, melted butter, and ground cinnamon. Toss well until the apples are evenly coated, then set aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, ensuring the dry ingredients are well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together milk (dairy or non-dairy), unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup or honey, lightly beaten eggs, melted coconut oil or butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined, taking care not to overmix for the best texture.
Add Optional Mix-ins: If using, gently fold in any optional add-ins like chopped nuts, raisins or dried cranberries, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or oil. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
Add Apple Topping: Evenly distribute the prepared apple topping mixture over the oatmeal base in the baking dish.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bake to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving to enhance flavor and texture.

Notes

Use rolled oats for best texture; instant oats will make the bake too mushy.
For a dairy-free option, substitute milk with almond, soy, or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter.
Adjust the sweetness by using more or less maple syrup or honey according to taste.
Feel free to swap apples with pears or berries for a different flavor.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat before serving.
This bake is freezer-friendly; freeze in portions for quick breakfasts.