Description
This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is a wholesome and hearty morning treat that combines rolled oats, warm spices, and fresh apples into a comforting casserole. Perfect for a nutritious family breakfast or meal prep, it offers a delicious balance of natural sweetness and texture, made healthier with maple syrup and optional nuts or dried fruits. Baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy, make-ahead recipe that warms your kitchen with inviting aromas and fuels your day with fiber and protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Topping
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite baking apple)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- Chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the oatmeal breakfast casserole.
- Prepare the Apple Topping: Peel, core, and dice the apples into 1/2-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon, then toss until the apples are evenly coated. Set this mixture aside for topping later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to create the base oatmeal mix.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup (or honey), lightly beaten eggs, melted coconut oil (or butter), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix as it can affect texture.
- Add Optional Mix-Ins: If desired, gently fold in the chopped nuts, dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips to add extra flavor and texture.
- Assemble the Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or oil. Pour the oatmeal batter evenly into the dish, then spread out the prepared apple topping evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it’s fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes to set before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Use any milk type you prefer, including almond, soy, or regular dairy milk.
- Substitute applesauce with mashed banana for a different flavor.
- Add chocolate chips sparingly to keep the bake from being too sweet.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat before serving.
- This bake can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking in the morning.
- For a vegan version, replace eggs with flax eggs and use maple syrup instead of honey.
