I love making healthy breakfasts ahead to have on hand at all times! Try my Breakfast Cookies or my Energy Bites! Don’t you just love all things apple and cinnamon? When those leaves begin to change (or let’s be honest, in the highest heat of summer) I’m always whipping apple and cinnamon up in some form. Pie, crisp, smoothie, oatmeal, you name it, I’ll make it! This healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal recipe combines two of my favorite breakfasts: Healthy Baked Oatmeal and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. It’s perfect for meal prep and taking on the go. I like to portion the baked oatmeal into 9 squares and warm them up as needed. Topped with fresh apple slices, oat milk, and a drizzle of maple syrup, it tastes like a treat but is actually healthy! To make this healthier than your average baked oatmeal, I add maple syrup instead of refined sugar, substituted butter for coconut oil, and added applesauce for more natural sweetness and moisture. It could almost be a dessert, but made with wholesome ingredients that are really good for you and perfect for breakfast or brunch!
What you’ll need for this recipe
Oats: I prefer old-fashioned oats for this recipe, however you can use rolled oats or instant oats as well. Most of the oats will be blended so in a pinch you could also use oat flour. If you need this to be gluten-free, double check the oats are gluten-free! Apples: Large apples, any variety! I absolutely love the tartness of granny smith apples, but any that you prefer will be perfect! Maple syrup: Instead of sugar I mixed in maple syrup for sweetness. It also adds a beautiful maple flavor to the baked apple oatmeal. It’s amazing! Vanilla extract: Is added to emphasize the sweetness and warmth. Skip it if you don’t have any on hand! Cinnamon: Cinnamon and apples were just meant to be together! Raising agents: Baking soda and baking powder help the baked oats to raise and become less dense. Oat milk: Oat milk is SO creamy! It’s steadily becoming one of my favorite plant-based kinds of milk. It’s just right for this recipe, however, you can use any milk you have on hand instead. Yogurt: I added a little plain yogurt for extra moisture and creaminess. Plain Greek yogurt is also a great option. Applesauce: Homemade or storebought applesauce makes this Baked Apple Oatmeal recipe burst even more with apple flavor! If you’re using store-bought, be careful of extra added, unhealthy ingredients. There is really no need for extra sugar in applesauce! Eggs: Eggs bind all of the ingredients together. Coconut oil: A lot of baked oatmeal recipes I’ve made have called for butter to help the oats get nice and toasty on top. For a healthier option, I added coconut oil this time. It’s really good for you and also adds a slight hint of coconut to the baked oats. Not a fan of coconut? Use refined coconut oil to skip the coconut flavor.
How to make Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal
Add to the pan: Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Bake: For 30-35 minutes or until the top looks set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Cool and store: Allow the oatmeal to cool completely before slicing and serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.
More apple recipes you will love
Apple Cider Donuts Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Easy Apple Crisp Apple Fritter Bread Apple Upside-Down Cake
