This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal has been on repeat in my kitchen every fall. Warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven is a dream on a cool fall morning. These baked oats get their hearty texture from both oats and ground flaxseeds, keeping you full all morning. Plus, it's naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and is ready for the oven in 15 minutes.
Be sure to try my healthy apple bread and apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa for more apple-inspired fall breakfast recipes.
Why We Love This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Wholesome ingredients. Made with whole grain oats and flaxseed meal. Flaxseeds add an extra boost of nutrients, like fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. I'm basically obsessed with flaxseeds and find as many ways to use them as I can, like in this healthy gluten-free pumpkin loaf and no-bake brownie protein balls.
- It's great as a snack. Leftovers can be reheated and enjoyed for breakfast or a quick afternoon snack. We also love these apple cinnamon oat muffins as a quick fall snack.
- Meal prep friendly. Bake it once and have breakfast ready for up to 5 days.
- One bowl and 15 minutes to prep. Like my easy pumpkin granola recipe, this baked oatmeal recipe is made in one bowl and takes 15 minutes to prep!
I will admit, I am a lover of anything oatmeal (homemade, that is). There are so many ways oats can be prepared and most of them are a lifesaver when it comes to food prep.
When I think of food prep, oatmeal is at the top of the list. From overnight oats with frozen fruit to chocolate brownie baked oats (hello, chocolate for breakfast), oats have my heart. They are hearty and such an easy way to get in more whole grains.
And this easy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is perfect for a make-ahead breakfast. You will also find these homemade oat flour pancakes and chicken maple breakfast sausages prepped in our fridge from time to time. I've also been known to make this for "binner" (breakfast for dinner if you're new to the term 😊). I encourage you to try that, too!
While this can definitely be enjoyed all year long, it for sure needs to make an appearance during apple-picking season. And so should my healthy apple crisp.
Jump to:
- Why We Love This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Ingredient Notes
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Sara's Tips & Notes for the Best Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Ways to Serve With Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- How to Store
- Recipe FAQs
- More Apple Recipes To Try!
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Ingredient Notes
- Rolled oats - Old-fashioned/rolled oats are best. If you can't tolerate traces of gluten, use certified gluten-free oats. One Degree, GF Harvest, and Bob's Red Mill are all great options. Even though oats are naturally gluten-free, they can become contaminated with gluten during processing.
- Flaxseed meal - Also called ground flaxseeds.
- Apples - Crisp, sweet apples such as Honey Crisp or Pink Lady are best for baking and what I prefer in this recipe. Granny Smith can also be used and will still turn out great.
- Applesauce - Make sure you use unsweetened applesauce. I always use plain, but cinnamon applesauce would be good too!
- Coconut oil - Either refined or unrefined coconut oil can be used. If you don't need this to be dairy-free, you can also use melted butter.
- Pure maple syrup - You'll want to use pure maple syrup and not the fake imitation stuff! You can sub honey or coconut sugar if needed.
- Milk - I use unsweetened almond milk since I limit dairy, but any type of milk can be used. If using a plant-based milk, make sure that it is unsweetened.
A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below. The above are some specific notes to help with selecting ingredients.
Sara's clean food tips: Because avoiding pesticides/herbicides is important to me, I opt for both organic oats and apples.
Substitutions & Variations
- To make vegan: Swap the egg for a flax egg, or use an additional ¼ cup of applesauce, and use dairy-free milk.
- To make gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- Add-ins: You could mix in some walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds for added nutrition and crunch. Walnuts would be my top pick!
- Double it: You can easily double the recipe and make in a 9x13 pan. Perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing some for later.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Step 1: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Mix until ingredients are fully combined.
- Step 3: Pour into a square baking dish that's been lightly greased and top with additional chopped apples.
- Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is set.
Allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving. These baked oats are perfect for breakfast and for meal prep. Leftovers are just as good the next day or later in the week!
Sara's Tips & Notes for the Best Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Use rolled oats/old-fashioned oats. I have only made this recipe using rolled oats and the ingredients and bake time are based on this. In a pinch, you could use quick cooking oats, but you'll end up with a little mushier texture and it will take less time to cook. Steel cut oats would take longer and the texture wouldn't be as soft.
- Chop the apples small. Smaller apple pieces will bake up better and will be better distributed throughout the oatmeal bake. I like mine cut in roughly ½" pieces.
- Check for doneness at 35 minutes. Every oven is a little different. You want the edges slightly firm and the center just set. It should not feel jiggly when you gently touch it.
Ways to Serve With Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Make a quick, well-rounded breakfast. For a super quick breakfast in the morning, make ahead of time and serve alongside hard-boiled eggs, homemade chicken maple breakfast sausage, and fresh fruit. We also love these healthy pumpkin breakfast cookies with hard-boiled eggs and fruit.
- Play around with different toppings. Drizzle some almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter on top. Try some pure maple syrup or even some coconut whipped cream (or regular whipped cream) for a decadent morning treat!
- Serve it for brunch. Serve alongside a dairy-free frittata, sweet potatoes and Brussels, and smashed potatoes in the air fryer for a delicious and real-food brunch spread.
How to Store
How to store: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and will stay good for up to 5 days. You can eat leftovers cold or reheat them in the microwave until warm.
How to freeze: Allow baked oats to fully cool and then cut into desired sized pieces. Store pieces in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Using a zip-top bag works best so you can squeeze out the excess air (Stasher bags are my favorite). Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat in the microwave directly from frozen.
Recipe FAQs
An 8x8 or 9x9 square dish should be used. I personally prefer and 8x8 baking dish for the thicker pieces. If you use a 9x9 baking dish, you'll need to slightly reduce the baking time and just know the pieces will be thinner.
Nope! If you prefer them peeled, then go right ahead, but it's way quicker to just leave this skin on. Plus, that's where most of the nutrients are, so I prefer to leave it on.
Sweet crisp apples are best for baked oatmeal. I like Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala. You could always do a combo of sweet apples and tart apples, like Granny Smith.
The edges should look lightly golden and the center should be firm when you gently press it, not jiggly. And a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.
Yes, get everything mixed together and pour in a greased 8x8 baking dish. Cover and store in the fridge overnight. Just know it may need a few extra minutes of baking time since it will be cold when it goes in the oven.
More Apple Recipes To Try!
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
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Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 8x8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup ground flaxseeds
- 2 ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. fine sea salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 cups chopped apples
- ½ cup apple sauce (no added sugar)
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups milk of choice (dairy-free if needed)
- 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish and set aside.
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix until combined. If you'd like, reserve a few apple pieces for sprinkling on top of oatmeal before baking.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining apples.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and center is firm to the touch.
- Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You do not need to peel the apples, but if you'd prefer them peeled, go ahead and peel them.
- I recommend chopping the apples into about ½" cubes.Â
- I recommend an 8x8 baking dish. If using a 9x9 baking dish, reduce baking time slightly.Â
- This recipe makes anywhere from 6-9 servings. Nutrition information is calculated off of 9 servings.Â
Nutrition
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pam says
do you have a substitute for flax???
Sara Ecklin says
Hi Pam - You can just leave them out. I like adding them for a boost of nutrition, but if you don't have any, you can omit them. Thanks!
Nini2008 says
Brown sugar would go great with the maple syrup!
Why the coconut oil? What can be substituted, or can we leave it out altogether?
Sara says
The coconut oil helps with the moisture. You could use melted butter, or really any oil (I would recommend avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil). Great question.
Rachel says
How many eggs? They’re not listed on the ingredients list.
Sara says
It's one egg. I just updated the ingredients list... and oh my, I can't believe I missed that! Thank you!
Sisley White - Sew White says
Apple and cinnamon are just the best flavour combination ever! I can't get enough of this.
Sara says
Couldn't agree more 😊
Mirlene says
The smell of baked apples and cinnamon in my kitchen lured my kids to wonder what I was baking. Once it was done, they gulped them from their plates.
Sara says
It really does make your house smell amazing 🙂 Glad to hear your kids enjoyed it too!
Patricia says
Yummy, yummy! Love how you can add so many different goodies to this, too! Great to start the day!
Elizabeth says
My family loves apples and oatmeal. What a unique way to prepare this! Definitely going to try this!
Andrea says
Apple cinnamon is a marvelous flavor combination for baked oatmeal. Looking forward to trying this.