This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast made from wholesome rolled oats, shredded apples, and cozy spices. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and studded with plump raisins, topped with crunchy pecans and a silky maple cream cheese glaze for extra indulgence.
Trust me: this apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is exactly what you want for an easy, nourishing breakfast. Made with whole-grain oats, fresh apples, warming spices and a touch of maple syrup, it bakes into a soft, bread-pudding-like dish that’s great for mornings or even as a comforting dessert. It comes together quickly—about 10 minutes of prep—and bakes in the oven for a hands-off, crowd-pleasing meal. The recipe yields a satisfying boost of fiber and protein and is versatile enough for many swaps and add-ins.
Why You’ll Love This
- Wholesome: Made with whole-grain rolled oats, fresh apples and natural sweeteners—no butter or added oil required.
- Customizable: Swap in other fruits, nuts or mix-ins like chocolate chips to suit your taste.
- Meal prep friendly: Bake once and enjoy several ready-to-reheat portions throughout the week.
- Comforting: The texture is similar to bread pudding, and the warm spices make it feel like a cozy treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Rolled oats – 2 1/2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats if needed).
- Baking powder – 1 teaspoon to help the oatmeal rise slightly.
- Cinnamon – 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for warmth and depth of flavor.
- Nutmeg – a pinch for a subtle, complementary spice note.
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon to balance sweetness.
- Eggs – 2 eggs to add protein and help bind the mixture (for a vegan option, use 2 flax eggs: 2 tbsp ground flax seed + 6 tbsp warm water).
- Milk – 2 cups almond milk or milk of choice to soak the oats.
- Unsweetened applesauce – 1/4 cup, used instead of oil and to boost apple flavor (or substitute melted coconut oil or unsalted butter).
- Maple syrup – 1/4 cup to naturally sweeten the dish (honey or brown sugar can also work).
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon for flavor.
- Chopped apples – 2 cups (small pieces) of shredded or chopped apple; Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith or Pink Lady work well.
- Raisins – 1/3 cup for bursts of natural sweetness.
- Chopped pecans – 3 tablespoons to sprinkle on top for crunch (walnuts are a great alternative).
- For the maple cream cheese glaze: 3 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon almond milk and a dash of cinnamon.
What Apples Should I Use to Bake With?
Choose apples that hold their texture and offer a balance of sweet and tart. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Cortland, Pink Lady and Golden Delicious are all excellent choices for baking—they keep their shape and contribute bright flavor. Avoid varieties that tend to go mushy when heated, like McIntosh, Gala, Fuji or Red Delicious, unless you plan to turn them into applesauce.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir in the chopped or shredded apples.
- Make the batter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the raisins.
- Prepare to bake. Transfer the mixture to an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish coated with nonstick spray. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Make the glaze. While baking, soften the cream cheese and whisk together with maple syrup, almond milk and a dash of cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over warm portions.
Prepping and Storage
To store: Refrigerate the baked oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or toaster oven, or warm the whole dish covered with foil at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
To freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months. Slice into portions and wrap individually, or store the whole pan in a sealed freezer-safe container.
Recipe Card
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 50 mins | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups chopped apples (small pieces)
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla; stir in apples.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients; fold in raisins. Pour into a prepared 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish and top with pecans.
- Bake 45–50 minutes until set. Let cool 5 minutes.
- Soften cream cheese and whisk with maple syrup, milk and cinnamon; drizzle over servings.
Notes
This baked oatmeal keeps in the refrigerator up to 5 days and in the freezer up to 3 months. Reheat before serving.
Nutrition (approx. per serving)
Calories: 263 kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.1 g | Protein: 6.6 g | Fat: 9.3 g | Fiber: 4.2 g | Sugar: 9.9 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
- Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Healthy Apple Crisp
- Maple Cinnamon Sautéed Apples
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies
- Harvest Apple Cider Punch
More Oatmeal Recipes You’ll Love
- Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Raspberry Almond Baked Oatmeal
- Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats
If you try this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, I hope you enjoy it—it’s a cozy, flavorful way to start the day or to enjoy as a comforting snack.
