Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake is your new favorite breakfast solution, a warm, comforting, and incredibly easy dish perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches, saving you time and money while delivering delicious, wholesome flavor.
Key Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk (any kind: whole, skim, almond, soy)
- 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake is a dream come true for anyone seeking a delicious and incredibly satisfying breakfast without the fuss. In under an hour, you’ll have a warm, comforting dish with a delightful texture and comforting spice, perfect for fueling your day or enjoying a sweet treat. The preparation is simple, and the result is a golden-brown, slightly chewy oatmeal bake that’s infinitely better than anything from a box, boasting a perfect balance of sweet apple and warming cinnamon, with a wonderfully tender crumb.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your bake cooks evenly and achieves that desirable golden-brown crust. Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. A well-greased dish is key to easily serving your delicious Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures that all the dry components are evenly distributed, leading to a uniform flavor and texture throughout the bake. Make sure there are no clumps of brown sugar.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs until lightly beaten, then stir in the milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. The melted butter adds richness and a tender texture, while the milk provides the necessary moisture for the oats and flour to absorb and soften. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and can even contribute to a better texture. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, potentially making the bake tough.
Incorporate the Apple: Add the diced apple to the batter and stir gently to distribute it evenly throughout the mixture. The apple will soften as it bakes, releasing its natural sweetness and creating delightful pockets of fruit within the oatmeal bake. If you’re adding nuts, this is also a good time to stir them in for an extra crunch.
Pour into Baking Dish and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. If you haven’t already, sprinkle any optional chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the batter for added texture and flavor. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake Until Golden and Set: Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached. The aroma of cinnamon and apples should fill your kitchen!
Cool Slightly Before Serving: Once baked, remove the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake from the oven and let it cool in the dish for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up properly, making it easier to portion and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
You’ll absolutely adore this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake for its comforting embrace and incredibly wholesome goodness, making it a perfect alternative to a quick bowl of instant oatmeal or a less substantial breakfast pastry. Its main feature is the delightful medley of tender baked apples bursting with sweet flavor, perfectly complemented by the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Making this at home is also a fantastic cost-saving benefit; you’re using simple pantry staples and fresh apples to create a gourmet breakfast experience for a fraction of the price of many store-bought options. The warm, comforting spices combined with the sweet chunks of apple and the satisfying texture of the oats create a breakfast that’s both nourishing and incredibly delicious.
Imagine waking up to the tempting aroma of baked apples and cinnamon wafting from your oven – this bake delivers exactly that delightful experience with minimal effort. It’s a cozy, filling start to your day that feels like a treat, but is packed with the goodness of whole grains and fruit. Don’t wait to transform your mornings; grab your baking dish and give this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake a try – you’ll be so glad you did!
Storing and Reheating Tips
You can store leftover Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the bake has cooled completely before sealing the container to prevent condensation. This method keeps the bake fresh and prevents it from becoming soggy.
To reheat individual portions, place a slice on a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. For a crispier texture, you can reheat slices in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. If you wish to freeze portions for future meals, let the bake cool completely, then cut into individual servings and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil or place them in freezer-safe containers. Frozen Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake will keep well for up to 2-3 months and can be reheated directly from frozen using a similar method as above, possibly requiring a slightly longer reheating time.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake is a true winner, offering a heartwarming and uncomplicated way to start your day with delicious, wholesome flavor. We encourage you to whip up a batch and experience its comforting goodness for yourself – it’s a simple recipe that delivers big on taste and satisfaction.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures that all the dry components are evenly distributed, leading to a uniform flavor and texture throughout the bake. Make sure there are no clumps of brown sugar.1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant), ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs until lightly beaten, then stir in the milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 1 ½ cups milk (any kind: whole, skim, almond, soy), 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, plus more for greasing, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and can even contribute to a better texture. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, potentially making the bake tough.
- Add the diced apple to the batter and stir gently to distribute it evenly throughout the mixture. If you’re adding nuts, this is also a good time to stir them in for an extra crunch.1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 ½ cups), ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. If you haven’t already, sprinkle any optional chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the batter for added texture and flavor. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Once baked, remove the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake from the oven and let it cool in the dish for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up properly, making it easier to portion and serve.