Apple Baked Oatmeal

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Apple Baked Oatmeal is loaded with goodness- oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins, warming spices, and of course apples, all baked together with a creamy custard. This is a perfect way to start off your days in fall, and is especially nice to make on chilly mornings. I love to make Apple Baked Oatmeal for meal-prepped breakfasts- I make it on a Sunday and then portion into breakfasts for the week.

Ingredient Notes

Apples: I live in the Upstate NY Apple Wonderland so we have so many amazing heirloom apple varieties to choose from. I like best to use a mix of varieties, especially a mix of tart and sweet apples. Most grocery store varieties will work here, but I would stay away from Gala and Red Delicious which will turn mushy and grainy when baked. See further below for more info on apples for baking

Nuts and seeds: Add, subtract, or interchange with whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand. 

Sweetener: My boyfriend is from Maine so we always have a jug of maple syrup in the house. It is expensive but you can substitute it with honey or even brown sugar.

Raisins: I was never a raisin fan until I found the most incredible Thompson raisins in the bulk section of my grocery store. If you ever see them I highly recommend giving them a try- they are plumper than any of the prepackaged ones I’ve had and have an almost buttery flavor. But any type of raisins or even dried cranberries will be delicious.

Spices: The only spice you really need for this is cinnamon and if that’s all you have it will delicious! The ground ginger and cardamom add a subtle, extra depth of flavor that’s really nice. I get my spices in my grocery store’s amazing bulk section which is great when you’re on a shopping on a budget. These spices are typically used only in small amounts- I don’t think I use even a penny’s worth of them in this recipe. 

To Make Vegan: I haven’t tested this but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be delicious- use any plant milk, 3 tbsp applesauce for the egg (or flax egg), and coconut oil, vegetable oil, or vegan butter for the butter

Best Apples for Baking

With so many apple varieties available, especially in the fall, it can be hard to know which apple is best for which application. For baking you want to use crisp and firm apples that will hold its shape after being baked. Great baking varieties include Northern Spy, Jonagold, Cortland, Braeburn, Mutsu/Crispin, Rome, Ida Red, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady.

Avoid softer varieties that will turn mealy and mushy after baking, such as Gala and Red Delicious. Save these for making applesauce.

For best depth of flavor a mix of apples (sweet and tart) is best.

More Apple Recipes

• Fall Harvest Kale Salad

Equipment Needed

8″ x 8″ Square Baking Pan

Print Pin Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Apple Baked Oatmeal

Apple Baked Oatmeal is loaded with goodness- oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins, warming spices, and of course apples, all baked together with a creamy custard. This is a perfect way to start off your days in fall, and is especially nice to make on chilly mornings. I love to make baked apple oatmeal for meal-prepped breakfasts- make on a Sunday and then portion into breakfasts for the week.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Servings: 6

Author: adapted from Heidi Swanson Super Natural Every Day

Equipment

• 8-inch square baking dish

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 c rolled oats
• ½ c toasted walnuts
• ½ c roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds
• ½ c raisins or dried cranberries
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ⅛ tsp ground cardamom
• 2 c milk
• ¼ c maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375℉. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
• Core the apples and chop into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl, along with the oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cardamom. Toss to mix.
• In a separate bowl whisk together the milk, maple syrup, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
• Add the apple-oat mixture to the prepared baking dish, and then pour the milk mixture over top of the oats. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the oats are set and the top is golden brown. Serve warm.