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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Index

    Healthy Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

    Published: Apr 26, 2021 · Modified: Jan 21, 2022 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 37 Comments

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    applesauce oatmeal on a plate with maple syrup and apple slices.
    Pinterest pin for baked oatmeal with text overlay.

    Love oatmeal? This easy-to-make and healthy 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.

    A white plate with a slice of baked oatmeal with pecans, cranberries and apples.
    A slice of warm baked oatmeal
    Jump to:
    • What is baked oatmeal?
    • 🤍Why this recipe is amazing...
    • 🧾Ingredients
    • 🍎Why use applesauce in this recipe
    • 🥣Let's bake
    • Tips and variations
    • More oatmeal recipes
    • FAQ'S
    • More One Hot Oven recipes
    • Recipe

    One of my favorite go-to meals for breakfast, and sometimes dinners, is cranberry oatmeal which is 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.

    🤍Why this recipe is amazing...

    • One bowl and a casserole dish are all you need for this recipe, plus simple pantry ingredients.
    • 15-minute prep time and 30 minutes of baking time are all you need for this warm-from-the-oven breakfast.
    • For oatmeal lovers, this recipe is very adaptable and 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 or berries and nuts, or just 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. I like to cut this into slices once cooled, 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. Just bake the oatmeal the night before, get up in the morning and reheat it. No spending hours in the kitchen when your company is around.
    • Need more than 8 servings, just double the recipe and bake in a 13" x 9" pan.

    🧾Ingredients

    Ingredients for oatmeal
    Oatmeal ingredients

    This oatmeal contains all the ingredients I would put in my bowl of creamy oatmeal: oatmeal, apples, brown sugar, cranberries, pecans, cinnamon, and milk. To add structure and bind the ingredients add an egg, butter, and baking powder.

    🍎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 and cook the apple until tender, and puree or mash it up.

    🥣Let's bake

    • Heat your oven to 375 degrees F. and 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.
    Oatmeal, brown sugar, and baking powder.
    Step 1. Oats, brown sugar and baking powder
    Oatmeal batter with milk and eggs.
    Step 2. Adding milk, eggs, and applesauce
    Adding cranberries and pecans to batter.
    Step 3. Adding cranberries and pecans o the oatmeal batter
    Oatmeal batter in a glass dish.
    Step 4. Pour into baking dish
    • 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.
    A dish of baked oatmeal.
    Oatmeal for breakfast

    Cut the warm apple and cinnamon-baked oatmeal into squares.

    And for some extra goodness, pour some pure maple syrup on top and ENJOY!

    A slice of oatmeal.
    Homemade baked oatmeal with maple syrup

    Tips and variations

    • Feel free to change this recipe up with spices, fruits, and nuts. Try this recipe for Cherry Bakewell Oats for breakfast.
    • 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. You can make and bake these pastries in under an hour for a tender apple-filled morning treat.

    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.

    FAQ'S

    Can I use steel-cut oats for this recipe?

    For this particular recipe, the steel-cut oats do not get cooked properly and would require different amounts of liquid and baking time.

    Can baked oatmeal be baked in individual portions?

    Yes, add the batter to muffin tins that have been greased well and bake as shown. Let the oatmeal cool and pop out of the tins.

    Can I freeze baked oatmeal?

    Yes, it freezes well. You can freeze the entire pan, just 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

    A square of oatmeal with apples and cranberries with maple syrup.

    Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

    Jere' Cassidy
    This easy-to-make Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal breakfast recipe is comfort food on a plate. Just mix and bake with simple pantry ingredients for breakfast, brunch, dessert, and snacks. You will love the added flavors of cinnamon, and pecans. Don't forget to pour a drizzle of maple syrup on top for a hearty and delicious healthy breakfast.
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Breakfast, brunch, Dessert, Snacks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 196 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large wire whisk
    • 8 inch by 8 inch baking dish

    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

    This recipe is very adaptable so feel free to add different spices, fruit, and nuts. Or leave plain.
    These squares are delicious without a topping,  but we like to add maple syrup, yogurt, or lemon curd on top.
    Variations
    • 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.
     
    For a porridge-type oatmeal recipe try this Creamy Spiced Oatmeal with Apples and Cranberries. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 5.9gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 54mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    To be honest, before I made this recipe I had never heard of baked oatmeal until  I went to my favorite bakery in Santa Rosa, CA called Criminal Baking Co. and Noshery. In their case of beautiful pastries, they had slices of baked oatmeal.  What? Baked oatmeal? Never had it, but it looked like a piece of cake, so obviously I was all in. But after some serious interrogation, I learned the secret to their baked oatmeal, and ordered a slice, warmed up and served with lemon curd, it was so goooood!

    If you are ever in Santa Rosa make sure you visit Criminal Baking.  It's off the beaten path, down a little side street, seats about 12, and serves some amazing pastries.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Liza

      November 12, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        November 13, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        You can use both quick oats and old fashioned oat.

        Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        December 15, 2022 at 9:54 am

        I've used quick oats and old-fashioned oats in this recipe.

        Reply
    2. Coelenterates Schaefer

      October 24, 2022 at 8:49 am

      I can’t wait to make this. 2022 Fall Giveaway

      Reply
    3. Lathiya

      September 13, 2021 at 3:29 am

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        September 22, 2021 at 12:45 pm

        True, it's hard to eat a baked apple without cinnamon.

        Reply
    4. Jacqueline Debono

      September 06, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        September 07, 2021 at 3:36 pm

        We love it, it's nice and hearty.

        Reply
    5. Shikha

      September 04, 2021 at 5:56 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • BigScoots Support

        September 05, 2021 at 2:27 pm

        Apples and cinnamon are a classic pair.

        Reply
    6. Deborah

      September 03, 2021 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • BigScoots Support

        September 05, 2021 at 2:28 pm

        Let me know what you think of the recipe!!

        Reply
    7. Nisha

      September 02, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds like a nice recipe to try with oatmeal for a change. Maple syrup would be a great combination with it.

      Reply
    8. Anindya Sundar Basu

      May 26, 2021 at 10:11 am

      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

      Reply
    9. LaRena Fry

      May 25, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      What a delectable breakfast. Can't wait to try it. YUM

      Reply
    10. Angela

      May 25, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      Never had baked oatmeal but this one sure looks easy and delish!

      Reply
    11. Shikha

      May 25, 2021 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      It appears so delightful and I know it'll be delicious too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
    12. Kasey Ferguson

      May 19, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      Heavenly breakfast! I used almond milk and it was delicious!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 19, 2021 at 6:48 pm

        Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Jere Cassidy owner of One Hot Oven.

    Welcome, I am Jerè. I love sharing recipes both sweet and savory that inspire you to bake at home. Food has a way of bringing us all together, from a simple batch of cookies to a three-tier cake.

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