Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Reasons to Love This Recipe

• They’re a healthy and satisfying breakfast option: Made with whole grain rolled oats, fresh apples, and other wholesome ingredients, these oatmeal cups are packed with fiber and nutrients to help keep you feeling full and energized throughout the morning.
• They’re portable and convenient: Whether you’re rushing out the door in the morning or need a mid-day snack, these oatmeal cups are the perfect on-the-go option. Just grab one or two and you’re set!
• They’re easy to meal prep: You can make a batch of these oatmeal cups ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy breakfasts throughout the week. Meal prep made easy!
• They taste amazing: With warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, sweet apples, and crunchy walnuts, these oatmeal cups are a delicious and cozy way to start your day. You might just find yourself looking forward to breakfast every morning!

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is a delicious and healthy breakfast option for meal prep. Loaded with rolled oats, warm spices, and sweet, tender pieces of apple, this baked apple oatmeal is a comforting and satisfying way to start your day. Plus, this baked oatmeal with apples freezes beautifully, making them an excellent option for those busy mornings when you need something quick and easy to grab on the go.

The Ingredients

• Rolled oats or old-fashioned oats: These are the star of the show! They’re packed with fiber and nutrients, and they help keep you feeling full throughout the morning.
• Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg: These warm spices give the oatmeal cups a cozy apple pie feeling.
• Baking powder: This ingredient helps the oatmeal cups rise and become fluffy. So yum!
• Salt: A pinch of salt helps to bring out the other flavors in the recipe and adds a bit of balance to the sweetness.
• Eggs: The eggs help to bind the ingredients together and add moisture and richness to the oatmeal cups. Plus, they’re a good source of protein and nutrients.
• Light brown sugar: This sweetener adds caramel-like flavor and richness to the recipe. So tasty!
• Plain Greek yogurt: This ingredient adds creaminess and protein to the oatmeal cups. 
• Pure vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds a touch of sweetness and warmth to the recipe. It also helps to round out the other flavors. 
• Milk: Milk adds a bit of richness and creaminess to the oatmeal cups. You can use any milk you prefer, but 1% milk is a good option if you’re trying to keep the recipe lower in fat. You can also use coconut or almond milk to make it dairy-free.
• Melted coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a subtle flavor. 
• Peeled and finely chopped apple: Apples add natural sweetness, texture, and fiber to the oatmeal cups. Choose your favorite variety – I like to use Granny Smith or gala apples for this recipe.
• Finely chopped walnuts: Walnuts add a bit of crunch and nuttiness to the oatmeal cups. They’re also a great source of healthy fats and protein. 

The Directions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F so that it can get nice and hot.
• Mix the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. 
• In another medium bowl, crack the eggs and give them a light beating. Then, whisk in the brown sugar, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, milk, and melted coconut oil until everything is blended. 

• Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients bowl and give it a good stir until it’s all combined. This will make a delicious oat mixture.
• Fold in the chopped apple and walnuts, and mix it all up. It should smell amazing!

Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray so the oatmeal cups don’t stick. Use a 1/3 measuring cup to drop the oatmeal mixture into each muffin cup.

Use a spoon to press down gently on the oat mixture in each cup so the liquid is evenly distributed.

Pop the muffin pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 

When it’s done, take the muffin pan out of the oven and let the oatmeal cups cool for 5 minutes. 

Finally, remove the oatmeal cups from the muffin pan and serve them with pure maple syrup. Enjoy your delicious apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the oatmeal cups warm with a drizzle of pure maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar on top. This adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the flavor of the oats and apples.
• Top the oatmeal cups with fresh berries, like sliced strawberries or blueberries. This will add extra texture, color, and natural sweetness to your breakfast.
• If you like your oatmeal cups creamy, add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt on top of each cup. This will add some tanginess, protein, and creaminess to the dish.
• You can add some chopped nuts, like pecans or almonds, on top of the oatmeal cups for extra crunch and flavor.
• To make it a more filling breakfast, serve the oatmeal cups with this vegetarian breakfast casserole, turkey breakfast sausage, or a strawberry avocado smoothie.

Cooking Tips

• If you want to make this apple baked oatmeal in an 8 or 9-inch pan, use the same cooking time and temperature as the recipe instructs for the muffin cups.
• When measuring the oats, use old-fashioned rolled oats, as they work best in this recipe. Instant or quick oats might not hold their shape well, resulting in a mushy texture.
• Use fresh, sweet apples like Gala or Honeycrisp to make the oatmeal cups extra flavorful. Finely chop them to cook evenly and blend them well with the oats.
• If you prefer your baked oatmeal cups to be less sweet, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or omit it altogether. The sweetness of the apples might be enough to satisfy your taste buds.
• Press down the oat mixture into the liquid in each cup with a spoon to ensure even distribution.
• After baking, let the oatmeal cups cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin pan. This will prevent them from falling apart and help them retain their shape. Gently slide a butter knife around the edges and pop them out of the muffin pan.
• If you plan on freezing the oatmeal cups, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some fun and tasty ways to enjoy your apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups:

• If you’re gluten-free, no worries! Just make sure to look for certified gluten-free rolled oats at the store.
• Want to give your oatmeal cups an extra nutrition boost? Add superfoods like ground flaxseed, hemp hearts, or chia seeds. These will give your cups extra fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
• Feeling fruity? Slice up some bananas or throw some berries in your oatmeal cups for added nutrition and flavor. Yum!
• Want to add some more warmth and spice to your oatmeal cups? Sprinkle some extra cinnamon or nutmeg on top before you bake them. Your kitchen will smell heavenly, and your taste buds will thank you.

Make-ahead and Storage Tips

• To make ahead for the week, bake a batch on the weekend and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should keep for up to 5 days.
• To freeze your baked oatmeal cups, let them cool completely after baking, wrap them in plastic wrap, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They should keep for up to 3 months.
• When you’re ready to eat them, simply microwave them for about 30-60 seconds (depending on your microwave) or pop them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until heated through.

Have you made this recipe?

Have you tried this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal recipe? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. I can’t wait to see it!