Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is a delicious and healthy breakfast recipe that takes ordinary oatmeal and turns into three layers of extraordinary goodness!
A crunchy walnut topping covers a lightly sweetened oatmeal custard, that has an almost bread pudding like consistency when baked. Tender apples scented with cinnamon and ground ginger make up the base.
For the apple layer choose a good baking apple, one that has a balance of intense sweet-tart flavor and will hold its shape when baked and not turn into mush. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Spartan, Cortland, and Empire are all good options.
Make Ahead!
One of the great things about this recipe is it can be made ahead, then reheated in individual portions during the week.
I like to make a batch on Sunday, then during the week I simply pop a portion in the microwave for a minute, top with a little plain yoghurt and I have a quick, warm and filling weekday breakfast.
Change it up!
The fruit
Almost any type of fruit can be used in place of the apples, plums, pears, pineapple, or any type of berry will be delicious. I have made it with both fresh and frozen berries, both works equally well.
The Topping
I love the walnuts paired with the apple base, chopped almonds or hazelnuts make delicious alternatives.
Nut free topping
To make this nut free you can substitute oats for the nuts and make a topping like on an apple crisp. Substitute ¾ cup oats for the nuts and use two tablespoons cold butter in stead of the melted butter. Combine with the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top.
Ingredients
For the Apple Layer
- 4-5 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced ( approx. 3 cups sliced apples)
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
For the Oatmeal Batter
- 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups milk or milk substitute such as coconut or almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
For the Topping
- 1 cup walnut pieces
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the apple slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish and toss with one tablespoon melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and ground ginger. Spread the apples in and even layer in the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oatmeal, baking powder, salt, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Add the milk mixture to the oat mixture and stir to combine to evenly distribute the liquid and oats.Pour the oat and milk batter over the apple, using a spatula to spread the batter evenly.
- Combine the walnuts, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.Spread evenly over the top of the oat and milk batter.
- Bake until firm and pale golden, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve warm, add a dollop of plain or vanilla yoghurt if you like.