Name: Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups Old Fashioned Oats; ½ cup White Sugar; ½ cup Brown Sugar, packed; 2 tsp Baking Powder; 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon; 1 tsp Table Salt; 1 cup Milk; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 tsp Vanilla Extract; ½ cup Salted Butter, melted and cooled; 1 ½ to 2 cups peeled and chopped apple chunks

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 11 reviews

If you’re anything like me, mornings can be a whirlwind — but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a comforting, wholesome breakfast. That’s why I can’t recommend this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe enough. It’s hands-down one of my favorite ways to start the day, packed with tender apple chunks and warm cinnamon spice baked into hearty oats. It’s perfect for those busy mornings when you want something ready to go but still full of homey goodness. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Sweetness: The mix of white and brown sugar creates a perfectly sweet but not overpowering flavor.
Textural Delight: Tender baked oats combined with juicy apple chunks gives you a warm, comforting bite every time.
Simple & Hands-off: Minimal prep and easy baking mean you can set it and forget it, great for busy mornings.
Customizable: Easily adapted to dietary preferences or seasonal fruit swaps without losing its charm.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, healthy breakfast oatmeal, cozy breakfast ideas, easy baked oatmeal recipe, wholesome apple cinnamon oats - A glass baking dish filled with a baked oat and apple square dessert, showing a textured, golden-brown crumbly oat topping with pieces of apple visible inside. One square is placed on a white plate with ridged edges to the right, showing the same oat and apple mix with a slightly rough top. A silver fork rests above the plate on a wooden table. A folded purple and white checkered cloth is placed between the plate and the glass dish. A red apple sits below the cloth near the bottom edge. The background surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe combines pantry staples with fresh apples and spices you probably already have on hand. What I love most is how every ingredient plays a key role in flavor, texture, and overall comfort factor. When shopping, I always go for crisp, tart apples for that juicy bite and check my oats to ensure they’re rolled oats for the best results.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, healthy breakfast oatmeal, cozy breakfast ideas, easy baked oatmeal recipe, wholesome apple cinnamon oats - Flat lay of a small mound of old fashioned oats, a small white bowl of white sugar, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of table salt, a small white bowl of milk, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of melted salted butter, fresh peeled apple chunks arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Old Fashioned Oats: They hold their shape well while baking, giving a nice chewy texture.
White Sugar: Adds a clean sweetness that balances the spices and fruit.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar gives depth and a subtle molasses flavor.
Baking Powder: Helps the oatmeal rise and become fluffy rather than dense.
Ground Cinnamon: Essential for that cozy apple-cinnamon classic combo.
Table Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from tasting flat.
Milk: Moistens the oats and adds creaminess; you can swap for plant-based milk if needed.
Eggs: Bind everything together, making the baked oatmeal slice nicely.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
Salted Butter: Melted and cooled, it enriches the texture with a nice buttery touch.
Apples: Fresh, peeled, and chopped—these give the recipe the star flavor and juicy bursts.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe is how easy it is to tweak and make your own. I often swap apples for pears in fall or add in chopped nuts for crunch. Feel free to experiment—this recipe is forgiving and welcomes your personal spin!

Variation: I’ve added chopped walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup on top before baking once, and it took things to a new level. The nuts add a lovely texture contrast.
Dietary Mods: Making it dairy-free? Try coconut oil for the butter and almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk—the flavor stays comforting.
Seasonal Swap: Use fresh pears or even frozen berries when apples aren’t in season; just adjust baking time slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch glass baking dish. I find glass works best for even heat distribution, so your oatmeal bakes uniformly. If you don’t have glass, greased metal pans work too.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine your old fashioned oats, white sugar, brown sugar (packed), baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Give it a good stir so everything’s evenly mixed—this ensures each bite has consistent flavor.

Step 3: Whisk in Wet Ingredients

Next, add the milk, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mix. Whisk it all together until smooth. Then, slowly pour in the melted butter, whisking as you go so the butter doesn’t clump or cook the eggs.

Step 4: Fold in the Apples

Gently fold in your peeled and chopped apple chunks. When I slice the apples small enough, you get those perfect sweet pockets baked right inside without them sinking to the bottom.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing — this helps the oatmeal set up nicely so it holds together.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Tart Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work beautifully—they keep their shape and add a nice tang.
Don’t Overbake: Check around 40 minutes to avoid drying it out—gooey in the middle is ideal.
Rest Before Slicing: Letting it cool helps slices hold together for clean servings.
Grease Well: Prevent sticking by thoroughly greasing your dish or use parchment paper.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, healthy breakfast oatmeal, cozy breakfast ideas, easy baked oatmeal recipe, wholesome apple cinnamon oats - A single square piece of oat crumble dessert sits in the center of a white plate with ridged edges. The dessert has two main layers: the top layer is golden brown with a rough texture made of baked oats mixed with cinnamon, while the bottom layer appears softer and darker, showing a moist filling beneath the oats. The plate is placed on a wooden table, and in the background, there is a glass baking dish with more of the same oat crumble. A dark red and white checkered cloth is also slightly visible behind the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually top my warm slices with a little drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream if I’m feeling indulgent. A sprinkle of chopped nuts or a spoonful of Greek yogurt adds extra texture and creaminess I just adore.

Side Dishes

This baked oatmeal pairs wonderfully with a side of fresh fruit or a simple green smoothie for a balanced breakfast. Sometimes I throw together scrambled eggs or turkey bacon to round out the meal if I want something savory on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch with friends, I like to slice my baked oatmeal into squares and serve on a rustic wooden board surrounded by little bowls of berries, nuts, and honey so everyone can customize their bites. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I let my leftovers cool completely, then cover them tightly and store in the fridge. Slices keep well for up to 5 days, making it a fantastic grab-and-go breakfast during the week.

Freezing

When I want to batch cook, I freeze individual slices by cooling them fully and wrapping tightly in foil, then placing in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months — just thaw and reheat when ready.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I find reheating in a toaster oven or air fryer gives the best texture — the edges get slightly crisp while the inside stays soft. If you’re in a rush, a quick zap in the microwave works too.

FAQs

Can I make this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free old fashioned oats. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy swap.
What’s the best apple type to use for baked oatmeal?

I recommend tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape during baking and add a bright flavor that balances the sweetness.
Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

Definitely! You can mix all the ingredients and refrigerate the baking dish overnight, then bake it fresh in the morning. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time since it will be cold going into the oven.
How do I store leftovers?

Cool the oatmeal completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions wrapped in foil or airtight containers for up to two months.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe isn’t just breakfast—it’s a warm, cozy hug on a plate that fills your kitchen with amazing smells and your belly with satisfaction. I love how it’s simple enough for any weekday yet special enough for weekends or guests. I hope you enjoy making and savoring it as much as I do—just like I share it with my closest friends when they come for coffee. Give it a try, and let me know how you make it your own!