Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is an easy, family-friendly breakfast made from wholesome ingredients and no refined sugar. Packed with oats, sweet apple pieces and crunchy walnuts, this baked oatmeal captures warm seasonal flavors in a nutritious, delicious dish.
Late summer brings cooler mornings, crisp air and the first hints of autumn. Fresh apples, pears and plums arrive at markets in vibrant colors and wonderful flavor. A recent trip to the farmers market left me with a bucket of sweet, juicy apples and the urge to bake. I love apple-cinnamon muffins and cookies, but this apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is a favorite: simple, comforting and full of wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients used
Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is straightforward to make, freezer-friendly and ideal for preparing ahead. You only need a few pantry staples and fresh apples.
- Oats: I use rolled oats for a hearty texture, but quick oats work if you prefer a softer result. Oats are a nutritious source of fiber and energy.
- Milk: Any milk works—oat milk, other plant-based milks or cow’s milk.
- Sweetener: Pure maple syrup adds gentle sweetness; honey or date syrup are good substitutes.
- Apples: Fresh sweet apples are the star. Dice or grate them depending on the texture you want.
- Cinnamon: Ceylon (true) cinnamon gives warm, aromatic flavor.
Optional superfood additions:
- Walnuts for crunch and omega-3s.
- Hemp seeds for plant protein and healthy fats (swap with chia or ground flax if preferred).
- Goji berries or any dried fruit for extra sweetness and antioxidants.
Other pantry basics: baking powder, an egg (or flax/chia egg to make it vegan), salt, and extra virgin coconut oil.
How to make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C) and position a rack in the lower third.
- Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Measure ingredients.
- In a bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a larger bowl whisk together the egg and milk. Add maple syrup and melted coconut oil, mixing until combined.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until evenly combined.
- Fold in diced apples, chopped walnuts, hemp seeds and goji berries.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Avoid over-baking to keep it soft and chewy.
- Allow to cool a few minutes in the pan, then slice and serve.
- Serve with extra fruit, yogurt, honey or maple syrup if desired.
Tips for serving
- Serve warm with diced apples, banana slices, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Add yogurt for creaminess and extra protein.
- Sprinkle additional cinnamon or chopped nuts for more flavor and crunch.
- Crumble a slice into a bowl and pour milk over it for a quicker breakfast bowl.
Substitutions
- Rolled oats can be swapped for quick oats (resulting texture will be softer).
- Maple syrup can be replaced with honey or date syrup (use liquid honey).
- Hemp seeds can be replaced with ground flax or chia seeds.
- Goji berries can be swapped for raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots or dates.
- Walnuts can be replaced with almonds or pecans.
- To make it vegan, use a flax or chia egg. To make it gluten-free, choose certified gluten-free oats.
Tips for storing
- Store sliced baked oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze slices in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Avoid using the microwave to fully thaw frozen slices; gentle room-temperature thawing preserves texture best.
This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is sweet, soft and chewy with bright apple freshness and nutty crunch. It’s nutritious, made without refined sugar and ideal for busy weekday breakfasts or cozy weekend mornings.
Enjoy freshly baked or prepared ahead and refrigerated for quick family breakfasts. Happy baking!
Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowls
- Silicone spatula
- Whisk
- 9×9 inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 ⅓ cup oat milk (or any milk)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil, melted and cooled
- 2 sweet apples, diced
- ¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup goji berries or other dried fruit
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
Instructions
- Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 356°F (180°C).
- Line the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare and measure all ingredients.
- In a bowl mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a larger bowl combine the egg with milk, whisk until even. Add maple syrup and coconut oil and mix.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Fold in diced apples, walnuts, hemp seeds and goji berries.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown. Do not over-bake.
- Remove from oven and cool a few minutes in the pan. Slice and serve topped with fruit, yogurt or syrup.
Notes
Makes 9 slices. Serving size: 1 slice.
Substitutions
Rolled oats → quick oats. Maple syrup → honey or date syrup. Hemp seeds → ground flax or chia. Goji berries → raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots or dates. Walnuts → almonds or pecans.
Storage
Store sliced in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, place slices in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make it vegan: use a flax or chia egg. Make it gluten-free: use certified gluten-free oats.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 34 g |
Protein: 8 g |
Fat: 11 g |
Fiber: 4 g |
Sugar: 13 g
More oatmeal recipes
- Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl
- Oatmeal Waffles
- Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal
This post was originally published in August 2018 and updated in August 2020.