Easy Baked Apple Oatmeal

Gooey, soft apple filling topped with perfectly sweet baked oatmeal. This easy baked apple oatmeal feels like you’re having dessert for breakfast.

Close up shot of a small white bowl of baked apple oatmeal topped with a few spoons of vegan yogurt.

When you can just go into your fridge and pull out an already prepared breakfast to start your day with, it’s always a win. Those tend to be the best mornings because it’s just one less thing I need to worry about. That’s why I love baked oats. They are easy to put together and a great way to get in extra fiber and nutrients first thing in the morning.

Simple breakfast recipes definitely put me in a better mood. So if you’d like to start your day on a better note, you should try this gooey baked apple oatmeal. Delicious, soft, gooey apple filling topped with baked oats. Kind of feels like dessert of breakfast if you ask me.

Baking dish with a used golden spoon that scooped out a small bowl of apple baked oats next to it.

Key Ingredients & Swaps

  • Oats: This recipe was tested with old fashioned rolled oats. I advise avoiding substitutions for this ingredient.
  • Ground Flaxseed: Behaves as our egg binder to help hold the oatmeal together as it bakes. Also provides omega-3s.
  • Apple Pie Spice: I used a store bought mix, but you can also swap this out with some cinnamon.
  • Apples: Slice them thin so they cook faster and soften well. Up to you whether you wish to remove the skin.
  • Maple Syrup: Sweetener of choice and love the flavor combo with the apples and spices.
  • Pecans: They are soft and have a lovely buttery flavor to them. You can also sub for some sunflower seeds in case you are allergic to nuts.

How to Make Baked Apple Oatmeal

Sauté your sliced apples with spices, maple syrup, lemon juice, cornstarch and a pinch of salt until softened and then set to the side.

To a bowl add in the remaining ingredients for the oat topping and mix everything together to combine.

Now, to a baking dish (for thicker slices use an 8x8in baking dish or thinner pieces use a 9x13in dish) and pour in the sautéed apples, then top with the oatmeal mixture. Place the baking dish into the oven and bake until golden then allow to cool before spooning out some of the oats.

Make this Recipe a Single Serving

If you’d like to make this recipe a single serving, follow these easy steps.

Set your oven to 350F. Thinly slice up one apple, sauté it with 2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch until softened. In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseeds, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1/2 tablespoon nut or seed butter, some crushed pecans (optional), and 1/3 cup plant based milk. Stir the oatmeal mixture well and set aside. In a ramekin or oven safe baking dish, add your sautéed apples then top with the oatmeal mixture. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the top appears golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before eating.

Tips to Make Baked Oats

  • Do not make the oatmeal topping ahead of time. Only prep your oat mixture when you are ready to bake your oats. If the oats soak in the liquids for a long time, they will absorb most of the moisture, which will dry out your baked oatmeal.
  • For thicker slices of baked oats, use a smaller baking dish. You can use an 8x8in baking dish to bake these oats. Just make sure that you check if you need to bake the oats a little longer. You may need to increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes to cook all the way through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of oats should I use for this recipe?

This recipe was tested using old fashioned, rolled oats. Avoid using steel cut oats for this recipe as they are harder and won’t fully soften with these instructions. I would also recommend against using quick oats as the texture can become drier as they absorb more liquid then rolled oats.

Do I need to peel my apples?

Totally up to you. Leaving the peel on does provide more fiber. If you are not a fan of the peel, feel free to remove the skin before starting this recipe.

What can I serve my baked oats with?

You can serve your oats with some vegan yogurt, a sprinkle of hemp hearts or a splash of soy milk for some added protein.

What type of apples are best for baking?

I personally love both a sweet and tart apple for this recipe. Honeycrisp or pink lady apples are always on hand at home, so I tend to use these for these baked oats. You can also use a completely different apple. For some more suggestions, you can use this guide right here.

Side angle view of a bowl of baked oatmeal with cinnamon sticks in the background.

How to Store Baked Oats

This baked oatmeal can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Before storing, do make sure that your baked oatmeal does cool completely. When ready to enjoy, place your baked oatmeal in the microwave for 45 seconds or longer to warm it back up.

Balancing Your Breakfast

You can enjoy these oats as is, but if you’d like to add more protein to make this more filling, you can pair this oatmeal with a splash of soy milk, sprinkle with hemp hearts, or a few tablespoons of plant based yogurt.

More Healthy Vegan Breakfast Recipes to Try

Side view of a bowl of baked oats with a spoon of vegan yogurt on top and a spoon tucked in the side of the bowl.
Print
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Top down close up of a bowl of baked oats with yogurt.

Easy Baked Apple Oatmeal

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Catherine Perez
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Gooey, soft apple filling topped with perfectly sweet baked oatmeal. This easy vegan baked apple oatmeal feels like you’re having dessert for breakfast.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 apples, sliced thinly
  • 56 tbsp maple syrup, divided
  • 4 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice, divided
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or opt for sunflower seeds to make nut free)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk (opt for other unsweetened milk based of your preference)
  • 2 tbsp nut or seed butter
  • 1/41/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Set oven to 350F. Place a large skillet over medium low heat, add the sliced apples, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, cornstarch and a pinch of salt.
  2. Sauté until the apple slices have softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl add the oats and remaining ingredients and stir well to combine and set aside.
  4. To a 9×13 inch baking dish, pour in the sautéed apples then top with the oatmeal mixture.
  5. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cook for about 10 minutes then serve as desired. I used a few tablespoons of plant based yogurt.

Notes

Do not make the oatmeal batter ahead of time. Only mix your wet and dry ingredients for topping the cooked apples when you are ready to bake your oats. If the oats soak in the liquids, they will absorb most of the moisture, which will dry out your baked oatmeal as it bakes.

For thicker slices of baked oats, use a smaller baking dish. You can use an 8x8in dish to bake these oats. Just make sure that you check if you need to bake the oats a little longer. You may need to increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.

This baked oatmeal can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Before storing, do make sure that your baked oatmeal does cool. When ready to enjoy, place your baked oatmeal in the microwave for 45 seconds or longer to warm it back up.

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, then let me know what you thought in the comments below! And if you loved it, don’t forget to rate it too. Feel free to follow on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for the latest nutrition tips and recipe videos.

 Catherine

11 Comments

    1. Awww, really appreciate that Barb! This should be good to freeze. To make it easier, freeze them in individual containers and then pull out and thaw and reheat as you wish to eat. Will definitely make the apples even more gooey when they reheat.

  1. This just might be the only oatmeal recipe I make. This literally tastes like apple pie! Thank you for sharing this recipe!






    1. Truly the highest compliment! I love oats and to hear this makes me super happy. Thank you David! 🙂

  2. Made this for breakfast today. Very yummy! Will definitely add it into my autumn breakfast rotation. I may cut the apples into smaller pieces because my 3-year-old did not love the slices in his oatmeal 🤷‍♀️ Thanks for this recipe!






    1. So glad you made it Allie! And yes, I can imagine for your little one cutting the apple differently should help. 🙂

  3. This feels like cheating… like eating dessert for breakfast. It’s so delicious and very comforting on chilly fall mornings. Love that I can meal prep and eat it throughout the week – I baked individual portions in a jumbo muffin tin which worked out great. Just a few changes I might make next time – using chopped apples instead of sliced (the slices were hard to scoop), adding a little bit of vanilla to the oat mixture, and dividing it into 4 servings instead of 6 (portions were a bit on the small side for me). Otherwise fantastic!






  4. I made this as Apple Crisp has always been one of
    my most favourite foods. I warmed it up with a dash of almond milk and a little water and topped with almond vanilla yogurt. Yum!
    Loving your recipes! 😊💗






    1. Donna this warmed my heart to hear! I love serving this with almond yogurt. So glad you have been loving the recipes. Makes me so happy to hear! 🙂

  5. This is such a comforting & tasty breakfast! I’ve made it exactly as written and also substituting boiled apple cider for maple syrup. If you happen to have the former in your pantry, it ups the apple flavor even more! Agree with previous posters that serving with vanilla plant based yogurt makes a lovely dish.






    1. I’m so glad you made this Danielle and love the suggestion! Will definitely try it myself as I’ve really wanted to remake this recently. Thank you!

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