Love oatmeal? This easy-to-make Baked Oatmeal recipe is a one-bowl quick-to-make twist on your regular bowl of oatmeal. Filled with apples, cranberries, cinnamon, and brown sugar, enjoy a slice for breakfast with a drizzle of maple syrup for a delicious treat to start your day.
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One of my favorite go-to meals for breakfast, and sometimes dinner, is cranberry oatmeal filled with sweet apples and cinnamon. I even have a special bowl just for my oatmeal which I think may make me an oatmeal snob! If you are like me, you don't always have time to make a bowl of oatmeal in the morning but still want all those flavors. That is why this oven-baked oatmeal is one of my go-to recipes.
What is baked oatmeal?
- Baked oatmeal is more like a casserole or even a cake than a creamy bowl of cooked oats. It has texture to it, and the addition of applesauce, eggs, sugar, and milk binds all the oatmeal and plumps it up for a hearty slice.
- When done, cut the oatmeal into slices and serve warm from the oven. You can top the slice with whatever you like, maybe a dollop of yogurt, fresh fruit, maple syrup, or even lemon curd.
Recipe Highlights
Here's why you'll love this oatmeal recipe:
- One bowl and a casserole dish are all you need for this recipe, plus simple pantry ingredients.
- Fifteen minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of baking time are all you need for this warm-from-the-oven breakfast.
- This recipe is very adaptable for oatmeal lovers. You can make it all year long by changing flavors throughout the seasons. Add warming spices in the winter, or maybe use a vanilla bean in the summer. Make baked oatmeal with fruit, berries, and nuts, or keep it simple.
- Baked oatmeal for breakfast is easy when you bake the casserole the night before and reheat it in the morning, which is great for busy families. Once cooled, I like to cut it into slices and put it in the fridge, and then everyone can pull out a slice and reheat it themselves. Make-ahead recipes are a lifesaver.
- This is a great recipe to serve during the holidays. You can bake the oatmeal the night before, get up in the morning and reheat it. This way, you won't have to spend hours in the kitchen when your company is around.
- Double the recipe and bake in a 13" x 9" pan if you need more than eight servings.
Ingredients Needed
This oatmeal contains all the ingredients I would put in my bowl of creamy oatmeal: oatmeal, apples, brown sugar, cranberries, pecans, cinnamon, and milk. Add an egg, butter, and baking powder to add structure and bind the ingredients.
Why use applesauce in this recipe?
Instead of just adding apple chunks, use applesauce for moisture to help plump up the oatmeal. You can use jarred applesauce, but if you don't have any, just cut up an apple and add some apple juice or orange juice. Cook the apple until tender, then puree or mash it up.
How To Make Baked Oatmeal
Heat your oven to 375 degrees F. you will need an 8" x 8" casserole dish.
- Step 1. In a large bowl, mix the oatmeal, brown sugar, and baking powder.
- Step 2. In a medium-sized bowl melt the butter then add the applesauce, milk, and egg. Using a whisk mix all the ingredients together then pour into the oatmeal bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Step 3. Mix in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans.
- Step 4. Pour this mixture into the casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and set.
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes, cut into squares and serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Cover leftovers and set them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- To reheat leftovers, microwave on 50% power for about 40 seconds or until warm. You can also wrap the oatmeal square in foil and heat it in the oven at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes.
Cut the warm apple and cinnamon-baked oatmeal into squares.
And for extra goodness, pour pure maple syrup on top and ENJOY!
Tips and variations
- I prefer to use whole milk but you can use almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk too.
- This recipe works with quick oats or old-fashioned oats, plus there are several brands of gluten-free oats that you can use. Steel-cut oats will not work.
- Substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar.
- Keep the baked oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you love scones, these Apple Cream Scones are also perfect for breakfast, and these Orange Cranberry Scones are full of sweet and tart flavors. You can make and bake these pastries in under an hour for a delicious morning treat, or make them for dessert.
More oatmeal recipes
- Bake a loaf of this hearty Spiced Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread for a delicious fall treat filled with lots of warming spices.
- Do you love oatmeal cookies? Try these Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with the added crunch of cacao nibs and pecans. These cookies are rich and chewy.
- These Oat Tea Biscuits are flavored with tea for a delicious orange flavor. Serve warm with orange honey butter.
- If you are a fan of Crumbl Cookies, then try this copycat version of their Ice Oatmeal Cookies...they are AMAZING!
- Feel free to change this recipe up with spices, fruits, and nuts. Try this recipe for Cherry Bakewell Oats for breakfast.
Oatmeal FAQ'S
For this particular recipe, the steel-cut oats do not get cooked properly and would require different amounts of liquid and baking time.
Yes, add the batter to well-greased muffin tins and bake as shown. Let the oatmeal cool and pop out of the tins.
Yes, it freezes well. You can freeze the entire pan, wrap it in plastic wrap and cover it in foil. Or cut the baked oatmeal into squares, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for individual servings.
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Recipe
Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal
Equipment
- Large wire whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal or regular oatmeal - uncooked
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cups milk whole milk, can substitute almond, oat or soy milk
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 large egg beaten
- ¼ cups dried cranberries optional
- ¼ cup pecans chopped and optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. and prepare an 8" x " baking pan with cooking spray.
- Combine the oatmeal, brown sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium-sized bowl add the butter and put in the microwave to melt. Then whisk in the applesauce, milk, and beaten egg. Mix to thoroughly combine.
- Pour the applesauce mixture into the dry ingredients, mix to combine with a heavy spoon or spatula.
- Stir in the cranberries and pecans.
- Pour the batter into an 8 x 8" pan and bake for 30 minutes or until set and browned.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes then cut into squares and serve warm
- You can pour maple syrup on top of the oatmeal square once served.
- Cover any leftovers and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Notes
- Substitute soy, almond, or oat milk for the whole milk
- Substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar
How to premake, freeze, thaw and reheat
- You can make and bake the baked oatmeal, cool completely then cover and place in the fridge. When ready to eat you can reheat the entire pan or reheat individual oatmeal squares.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: Bake the oatmeal, cool completely, and store in the refrigerator for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Reheat in the microwave or cover and bake in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10 minutes.
- To Freeze: Let the oatmeal cool completely. Cover the pan with plastic wrap then foil and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also cut the oatmeal into squares, wrap them in foil, and freeze.
- Let thaw in the refrigerator or you can set it on the counter at room temperature, then reheat.
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Nutrition
First published: April 26, 2021; last updated: October 2, 2024, for better readability.
Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog. Please leave a comment to say hello or tell me what you are baking; I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!
About Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Elena
I wanted to make a fall baked oatmeal for me to have throughout the week and I found this recipe on Pinterest and it seemed like the perfect one to try. It turned out really flavorful and was great throughout the week for breakfast. I didn't have cranberries so I substituted with raisins and it turned out great!!
Jere Cassidy
Oh, the raisins sound delicious too!
Shelby
Ohhh I love a baked oatmeal because it's so much easier but the cranberry apple flavor combo on this one was truly delicious.
Liza
Overnight oats is my go to breakfast. Since it is getting colder I am thinking to change to something like this… Do you think the same rolled oats would work for this recipe?
Jere Cassidy
You can use both quick oats and old fashioned oat.
Jere Cassidy
I've used quick oats and old-fashioned oats in this recipe.
Coelenterates Schaefer
I can’t wait to make this. 2022 Fall Giveaway
Lathiya
Apples and cinnamon are match-made in heaven. I loved that this recipe works even if we use different spices and thanks for the suggestions
Jere Cassidy
True, it's hard to eat a baked apple without cinnamon.
Jacqueline Debono
I've never made baked oatmeal but it looks and sounds delicious. Love the idea that you can use different fruits and nuts to vary the flavours.Great breakfast dish!
Jere Cassidy
We love it, it's nice and hearty.
Shikha
I always love the combination of apple and cinnamon. Had apple and cinnamon cupcakes once and loved it. I believe this recipe will be excellent too.
BigScoots Support
Apples and cinnamon are a classic pair.
Deborah
I love this idea for baked oatmeal. I enjoy oatmeal in the fall and winter months and will have to give this one a try soon! Thanks for sharing.
BigScoots Support
Let me know what you think of the recipe!!
Nisha
This sounds like a nice recipe to try with oatmeal for a change. Maple syrup would be a great combination with it.
Anindya Sundar Basu
Not a great fan of Baked Oatmeal but when am on the healthy path I often take this as my breakfast. Thanks for the recipe
LaRena Fry
What a delectable breakfast. Can't wait to try it. YUM
Angela
Never had baked oatmeal but this one sure looks easy and delish!
Shikha
It appears so delightful and I know it'll be delicious too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kasey Ferguson
Heavenly breakfast! I used almond milk and it was delicious!
Jere Cassidy
Glad you enjoyed it.