Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal
Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal is a comforting and nutrient-packed breakfast recipe that combines the natural sweetness of apples, hearty rolled oats, and warm spices. This easy-to-make baked dish provides a wholesome energy boost with fiber-rich oats and essential vitamins, making it perfect for a cozy and nourishing start to your day. Versatile and customizable, it suits a variety of dietary needs including vegan and gluten-free preferences.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk or plant-based milk
- 1 large egg or 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium fresh apples, chopped
Optional Add-ins
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom or ginger (for extra spice)
- 1 scoop protein powder or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (for extra protein)
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg (or flax egg), maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Then, stir in the chopped apples for even flavor throughout the dish.
- Combine and pour: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be thick but moist, perfect for baking. Fold in any optional add-ins like nuts or spices now, if using.
- Bake to perfection: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the oatmeal is set and the top is golden brown.
Notes
- Choose firm apple varieties such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture after baking.
- Gently stir ingredients to avoid overmixing, which keeps the oatmeal tender.
- Taste the batter before baking and adjust sweetness as needed by adding more maple syrup or honey.
- Add nuts or dried fruits at the end to maintain their crunch and texture.
- Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for about 10 minutes before serving to make slicing easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: baked oatmeal, healthy breakfast, apple oatmeal, gluten free, vegan option, hearty breakfast, fiber-rich breakfast