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This healthy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is made with just 6 simple ingredients. No eggs, no dairy, and no added sugar! It’s cozy, nourishing, and perfect for meal prep so you can enjoy a wholesome breakfast all week long.
Why This Recipe Works
Between getting the kids dressed, packing lunches, and rushing out the door, mornings can feel like a marathon. This baked oatmeal just makes things easier. It’s one of those quiet heroes you can bake once, pop in the fridge, and reheat in seconds. It’s cozy, nourishing, and takes one big thing off your plate.
This apple cinnamon version is soft, gently sweet, and packed with all those warm, cozy flavors we love. The apples get perfectly tender in the oven and add just the right amount of natural sweetness, so you don’t need any added sugar. It’s hearty, simple, and one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Here’s what others are saying!
“My baby went bananas for this recipe!! I love how she can independently manage a stick of it!”
“Love this for an easy make ahead breakfast! So much tastier than just regular oatmeal. I’ve been making this regularly and whole fam loves it.”
And if you’re looking for more, try this strawberry banana baked oatmeal too! Also check out these Healthy Oatmeal Recipes for Babies and Kids.
For something a bit more decadent feeling, this baked brioche french toast casserole is a must-try!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Oats – Rolled or old-fashioned oats will work best.
- Apple – Any variety will work! Our favorites are fuji and honey crisp (perfect apples for homemade unsweetened applesauce). If you are using a tart apple, you will need to add banana or maple syrup to help balance the tartness.
- Chia seeds – For a boost of protein, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids. Will also help thicken the oatmeal, like in this chia pudding.
- Milk – Use any milk of choice. My personal favorite is canned, full fat coconut milk.
- Cinnamon – Enhances the flavor of the dish
- Banana, maple syrup, walnuts (optional) – I wanted to keep the recipe as simple as possible, but you may certainly add these in if you desire a sweet oatmeal. See below for tips.
Substitions
Feel free to mix and match these substitutions based on your preferences and dietary needs:
- Use quick oats for a softer texture and shorter baking time, or substitute with steel-cut oats, which will require longer cooking time and possibly additional liquid.
- You can replace chia seeds with an equal amount of ground flax seeds for added nutrition, or simply omit them if they’re unavailable.
- You can substitute cinnamon with ground nutmeg for a different spice profile or use pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Grease the baking dish. First, add the applesauce followed by the rest of the ingredients (minus the chopped apples). Stir to combine. Top with apples and walnuts, if using. Bake!
It’s seriously as easy as that!
Expert Tips
- Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish with oil to prevent sticking.
- Add maple syrup for sweetness. The basic recipe with applesauce is not very sweet, and this is intentional as you can easily top with additional fruit and/or a drizzle of maple syrup. If looking for a no added sugar alternative, try this date syrup!
Serving Suggestions
Take this apple baked oatmeal to the next level with these creative serving suggestions:
- For Babies and Toddlers – Use finely chopped or grated apples. Once baked, slice into strips or bite-sized pieces based on age. Serve in a bowl with a splash of milk for a porridge-style option. For more age-appropriate prep tips, see apples for babies.
- Top it with yogurt – Add a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein.
- Add crunch – Sprinkle with your favorite nuts, like chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds on top for added texture.
- Drizzle with nut butter – Almond, peanut, cashew or sunflower seed butter pairs beautifully with the apples and adds a rich, nutty flavor.
- Serve with fruit: Try topping your oatmeal with fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or extra apple slices for a burst of freshness.
Variations
These variations allow you to customize the dish to suit your preferences and make it a new experience each time!
- Berry Oatmeal: Swap the apples for fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.
- Banana-Nut: Replace apples with sliced bananas, and add a handful of walnuts or pecans for a twist.
- Pumpkin Spice: In the fall, substitute the apples with pumpkin puree and add a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To freeze, cut into individual slices, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe bag. It will be good for up to 3 months.
You can reheat in the microwave (at 30 second intervals) or on the stove with a splash of milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use quick oats but the oatmeal will be much softer. Steel cut oats will not work for this recipe.
I suggest leaving it on as it’s where the majority of the nutrients are found.
More Apple Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (200g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (110g) OR 1 medium banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (optional), see note
- 2 cups milk of choice
- 1 cup apples (120g), diced or shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 8 inch square pan.
- Add all the ingredients and stir to combine. Add the apples on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Notes
- If you prefer a sweeter oatmeal, use a ripe banana instead of applesauce (not both) and/or maple syrup.
- Top with yogurt, peanut/nut/seed butter, maple syrup, fruits, shredded coconut, etc.
- Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To freeze, cut into individual slices and flash freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. - Reheat in the microwave (at 30 second intervals) or on the stove with a splash of milk.
What should the texture be when it is done? After 27 minutes mine still looks soupy from the milk. I should note I’m cooking in a glass pan if that makes a difference.
Hi! It should be firm so I’m not sure…I assume you followed the recipe exactly?
Ah, perfection! I made this with ripe bananas and added 2.5 tablespoons of homemade date syrup (which I learned to make from this site 🙂 ). My almost 2 year old LOVED it – as did I. It has a mild sweetness to it, which is just what I was looking for and most of that seems to come from the apples. I chopped mine super small so they would get as soft as possible during baking.
I kept it in the oven for about 5 min longer than the max time called for, until most of the free flowing milk in the middle appeared to have been absorbed by the oats. I let it cool in the pan for a bit to allow it to set before cutting into it. I will definitely be making this again and again!
So happy to hear that you guys loved this recipe so much and that it will become a part of your repertoire :).
Love all your recipes! I’m excited to try this one but don’t have a square pan – would a bread/loaf pan or silicone muffin cups work too?
Sure! Will just need to adjust the cooking time
Love that this recipe is vegan…my baby is sensitive to egg & dairy so I’m always adapting recipes, but didn’t have to change this one at all! It’s a nice neutral tasting oatmeal, so sometimes I add peanut butter for a protein boost. Nice to have an easy, make ahead breakfast!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. For all my recipes, you can substitute with dairy-free alternatives and I will try to provide egg-free alternatives whenever I can!
My baby went bananas for this recipe!! I love how she can independently manage a stick of it!
Oh wow!! Love hearing this!!
My toddler loves these!
Makes me SO happy to hear!
Love this for an easy make ahead breakfast! So much tastier than just regular oatmeal. I’ve been making this regularly and whole fam loves it.
Makes me so happy to hear!
So incredibly easy to make, and so tasty! My daughter absolutely loves it 🙂
Yay!! Makes me happy to hear!
Hey Min, thank you for your wonderful and simple recipes! I’ve made several for my baby and they’re always a hit! Iade the strawberry oatmeal and would love to make this one next. I am going on a trip for a few days and was wondering whether any of the muffin or oatmeal bake recipes might work without access to refrigeration? If not, do you have any suggestions of bakes that could work if stored at room temperature? Thanks!
Hi Tina, Will you be able to take a cooler? If so the muffins and this oatmeal will be great to take. I also have a post that may be helpful – search for “travel food” on my site!
Really easy to make and tastes pretty good!
How quickly do I need to refridgerate it? I made it late last night and forgot to put it in the fridge…
Hi! It should be fine although not sure what it’s like texturally..