Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake: A Cozy, Healthy Start to Your Day

Looking for a way to turn your mornings from rushed chaos into calm, delicious bliss? This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is the answer. It’s warm, filling, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy families, meal preppers, or anyone who craves a little comfort to start their day.

With the natural sweetness of apples, hearty oats, and cozy spices, this breakfast tastes like dessert, but fuels your body like a powerhouse.

If you’re already a fan of seasonal flavors, you might also love this spiced apple cider donut loaf for your next fall brunch spread.

Why You’ll Love This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake Recipe

  • High-fiber and naturally sweetened
  • Perfect for meal prep
  • Easy to customize with seasonal fruit or nuts
  • Reheats like a dream

Love this kind of hearty, nourishing baking? You might also enjoy their chocolate chip pumpkin bread, another cozy, breakfast-friendly loaf that blends sweetness and nutrition.

Ingredients Needed For Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake

Here’s a breakdown of the core ingredients and why they matter:

  • Old-fashioned rolled oats – Provides fiber, texture, and slow-burning carbs.
  • Apples – Add natural sweetness, moisture, and vitamins.
  • Eggs – Bind everything together while adding protein.
  • Milk – Use dairy or plant-based for moisture.
  • Maple syrup or honey – Offers natural sweetness with antioxidants.
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg – Bring warmth and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Baking powder – Helps the bake rise slightly.
  • Vanilla extract – Enhances flavor.
  • Butter or coconut oil – For a rich mouthfeel and healthy fats.

Optional Add-ins:

  • Chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
  • Raisins or dried cranberries for a sweet-tart contrast
  • A sprinkle of brown sugar on top for a caramelized crust

Health Benefits

The Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake isn’t just comforting, it’s genuinely good for you.

  • Oats: High in soluble fiber, help reduce cholesterol.
  • Apples: Packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and natural sugar.
  • Eggs: Excellent source of complete protein.
  • Cinnamon: Can help balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation.

Together, these ingredients create a nutrient-dense, low-glycemic breakfast.

Best Apples to Use

Choose firm and slightly tart apples that won’t break down too much in the oven. Great choices include:

  • Honeycrisp
  • Granny Smith
  • Pink Lady
  • Fuji

These apples hold their texture while giving a beautiful contrast to the oats.

How To Make Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Equipment:

  • 8×8-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk and spatula

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish.
  2. Whisk wet ingredients:
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ½ cups milk
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  3. Mix dry ingredients:
    • 2 cups rolled oats
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • ½ tsp salt
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in:
    • 2 chopped apples
    • Optional: nuts or raisins
  5. Pour into baking dish. Smooth the top and sprinkle brown sugar or nuts if desired.
  6. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden and set.
  7. Cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with:
    • Maple syrup drizzle
    • Greek yogurt
    • Milk splash

Tips for Success

  • Don’t overbake: Keep the center moist, not dry.
  • Use rolled oats, not quick or instant oats.
  • Let it rest: Slicing too early can cause crumbling.
  • Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore freshness.
  • Customize with your favorite toppings.

Looking for more creative breakfast meal prep? Dive into these delicious sourdough discard breakfast recipes that are easy, tasty, and waste-free!

Serving Suggestions

Extreme close-up of oatmeal apple breakfast bake showing gooey cinnamon apple layers, oats, raisins, and apple slices – a cozy, healthy fall breakfast.

Serve warm with any of the following:

  • Drizzle of maple syrup or honey
  • Spoonful of Greek yogurt
  • Splash of milk
  • Spoonful of almond butter
  • Sprinkle of extra cinnamon

Also works great as a midday snack or healthy dessert alternative.

Recipe Variations to Try

Mix things up with these creative spins:

  • Apple Cinnamon Raisin – Add ¼ cup raisins for extra sweetness.
  • Apple Berry Oat Bake – Stir in blueberries or cranberries.
  • Apple Pecan Crunch – Top with crushed pecans and brown sugar.
  • Vegan Version – Use flax eggs, almond milk, and coconut oil.
  • Gluten-Free – Use certified gluten-free oats.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

This recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Here’s how to store and reheat it:

Refrigeration:

Freezing:

  • Cut into portions, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

  • Microwave for 30–45 seconds.
  • Oven: Warm at 300°F until heated through.
  • Pro Tip: Add a splash of milk before reheating to restore moisture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using instant oats – makes the texture too mushy.
  • Overmixing – can lead to dense, rubbery texture.
  • Overbaking – dries it out.
  • Skipping cooling – causes it to fall apart when slicing.

FAQs About Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake

Can I make it without eggs?

Yes! Use flaxseed meal (1 tbsp) + 3 tbsp water per egg as a vegan binder.

Can I use steel-cut oats?

Not recommended. They require a longer cook time and more liquid.

What apples are best?

Firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are ideal.

Can I reheat it?

Absolutely! Reheats well in the microwave or oven.

Can I add protein powder?

Yes, reduce the oat amount slightly to balance texture.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Definitely. Substitute with oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Use coconut oil instead of butter

Final Thoughts

The Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is everything a cozy breakfast should be, warm, filling, healthy, and easy to prepare ahead of time. With a few pantry staples, you can whip up a delicious and nourishing meal that your whole family will love.

If you’re looking to ditch sugary cereals and embrace a better morning routine, this breakfast bake is a must-try.

Print
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A close-up of oatmeal apple breakfast bake topped with vanilla glaze and fresh mint, showcasing baked oats and juicy apples – a cozy, healthy breakfast.

Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake: A Cozy, Healthy Start to Your Day


  • Author: MERIEM
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A cozy and nourishing oatmeal apple breakfast bake made with rolled oats, fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup. Perfect for meal prep or weekend brunch.


Ingredients

Scale

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 ½ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
2 large eggs
¼ cup maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
1 tablespoon brown sugar for topping (optional)


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
In another bowl, mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Fold chopped apples and optional nuts or dried fruit into the dry mix.
Combine dry and wet ingredients, mix gently until fully incorporated.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish and smooth the top.
Sprinkle with brown sugar or extra nuts if desired.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and set.
Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples for best texture and flavor.
Make it vegan by using flax eggs and non-dairy milk.
To meal prep, slice and store in the fridge or freezer in airtight containers.
Reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk to soften.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 190mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Keywords oatmeal apple breakfast bake, baked oatmeal, healthy breakfast, apple cinnamon oats

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