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 – 2 cups peeled and chopped apple chunks

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 29 reviews

If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning, you have to try my Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe. This dish is packed with tender apple chunks, fragrant cinnamon, and hearty oats—all baked together into a luscious, slightly crisped casserole. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever started your day without it. Plus, it’s super simple to make and perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for busy mornings.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Sweetness: Using both white and brown sugar creates a rich sweetness that’s not overpowering and complements apples perfectly.
Perfect Texture: The oats stay tender yet hold their shape, while the butter adds moisture and a slightly crisp crust on top.
Warm Spices: Ground cinnamon infuses the whole dish with that classic apple-cinnamon aroma and flavor we all crave.
Simple Prep: Just mix, pour, and bake—no fancy techniques or weird ingredients, making it approachable for any skill level.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, cozy breakfast recipes, healthy breakfast ideas, quick oatmeal casserole, autumn breakfast favorites - 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

Every ingredient in this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe is carefully chosen to create a comforting, lightly sweet, and wholesome breakfast. If you grab old-fashioned oats and fresh apples, you’re already halfway there. Here’s what each does to make this recipe shine.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, cozy breakfast recipes, healthy breakfast ideas, quick oatmeal casserole, autumn breakfast favorites - 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 absorb the liquid beautifully and hold texture better than instant oats, which helps create the perfect baked oatmeal consistency.
White Sugar: Adds bright, clean sweetness without overpowering.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth with its molasses notes, pairing harmoniously with cinnamon and apples.
Baking Powder: Gives just a bit of lift so the oatmeal isn’t dense or heavy.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice here—adds warmth and complements those fresh apples perfectly.
Table Salt: Enhances overall flavors and balances sweetness.
Milk: Moistens the oats; whole milk works best for creaminess, but plant milk is a tasty alternative.
Eggs: Bind everything together ensuring your baked oatmeal slices nicely without crumbling apart.
Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle sweetness and complexity to the flavor profile.
Salted Butter: Brings richness and moisture along with a tiny bit of saltiness to balance sweetness.
Apples (peeled & chopped): Fresh, tart apples add that juicy, tender bite to every spoonful.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

This baked oatmeal is a great blank canvas for personalization. I often change it up based on the season or what’s in my kitchen. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—it’s part of the fun!

Nutty Add-ins: I love tossing in chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. My sister swears by pumpkin seeds for a little extra texture and nutrients.
Fruit Variations: Swap apples for pears or toss in dried cranberries for a tart surprise—fresh berries work too if you adjust the baking time slightly.
Dairy-Free: Feel free to use coconut oil instead of butter and almond or oat milk to suit your needs. You’ll still get great flavor and texture.
Sweetness Level: If you want to cut back on sugar, reduce both sugars by a third or add a bit of maple syrup or honey after baking for that natural sweetness boost.

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

Step 1: Prepping Your Baking Dish & Oven

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, grab an 8×8 glass baking dish and grease it well. I use butter here because it complements the flavors better than spray, but a lightly oiled dish or parchment paper can work. This helps prevent sticking and encourages that perfect golden crust on top.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your old fashioned oats, white sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Getting these well combined at this stage ensures the flavor is spread evenly, so no bite is bland. I often give it a little taste here to check the cinnamon and sugar balance—I bet you’ll want a little more cinnamon too!

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Now, add the milk, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Whisk everything until smooth and consistent. Then, slowly pour in the melted and slightly cooled butter. If the butter is too hot, it can cook the eggs prematurely, so patience here pays off.

Step 4: Fold in the Apples

Gently fold in your peeled, chopped apple chunks. Fresh apples will soften during baking but still retain a nice bite. I prefer using a mix of tart and sweet apples for a colorful and balanced flavor—feel free to experiment with your favorites.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden & Set

Pour your oat mixture into the greased baking dish and smooth out the surface. Pop it into the oven for about 40-45 minutes. You’re looking for a golden top and a center that’s set but still a little soft. A toothpick or knife inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean with perhaps a moist crumb or two. If you under-bake it, you’ll end up with a mushy oatmeal, so baking fully is key here.

Step 6: Cool Slightly & Serve

Remove from the oven and let your baked oatmeal cool for about 5 to 10 minutes—it firms up and makes slicing easier. I love serving it warm with a splash of cold milk or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent touch. Leftovers reheat beautifully, which makes it a breakfast game-changer on busy mornings.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Let Butter Cool: Adding hot melted butter to eggs can scramble them, so always cool it first for a smooth batter.
Use Fresh Apples: Choose apples that are firm and crisp; softer varieties can turn mushy and watery after baking.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the baked oatmeal cool before cutting—that resting time helps everything hold together for neat slices.
Oven Accuracy: Ovens vary, so start checking at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking which can dry it out.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, cozy breakfast recipes, healthy breakfast ideas, quick oatmeal casserole, autumn breakfast favorites - 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

My go-to garnishes are a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts for added crunch. If I’m feeling decadent, a spoonful of plain or vanilla yogurt on the side mellows the warmth of the cinnamon and adds creaminess. Whipped cream is another favorite for a weekend treat.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this baked oatmeal with some fresh fruit salad or a handful of berries to lighten things up. Sometimes I serve it alongside crispy bacon or turkey sausage for a savory contrast—breakfast that hits every flavor note!

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I’ve baked the oatmeal in mini ramekins for cute, individual portions. Serving each with a small jar of homemade apple butter or cinnamon honey makes it feel special and festive. You could even layer it with yogurt and granola in parfait glasses for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I tightly cover leftovers with foil or plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge. They keep great for up to 5 days. When I’m ready to enjoy a portion, I usually warm it gently in a toaster oven or microwave—same cozy flavor, just reheated!

Freezing

I often make a double batch and freeze half for easy breakfasts later. After cooling the baked oatmeal on a wire rack uncovered, I wrap the dish tightly with two layers of foil before freezing. Once solid, I transfer slices or the whole pan to freezer bags. It keeps well for up to two months.

Reheating

For reheating frozen portions, I thaw them overnight in the fridge, then warm slices in a toaster oven or air fryer until heated through and slightly crisp on top. If time is tight, the microwave works too, but you might lose a bit of that freshly baked texture.

FAQs

Can I use steel-cut oats instead of old fashioned oats?

Steel-cut oats have a much chewier texture and take longer to cook, so I don’t recommend using them in this baked oatmeal recipe. Old fashioned oats strike the perfect balance of creaminess and structure after baking.
Is this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe gluten-free?

It can be! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free old fashioned oats, as regular oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains.
How ripe should the apples be?

Use crisp, firm apples that hold their shape when baked, like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. Avoid apples that are overripe or too soft, as they can make the oatmeal watery and mushy.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Substitute the butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative, replace the milk with any plant-based milk, and use a flaxseed “egg” (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) in place of eggs.
How do I know when the baked oatmeal is done?

It’s done when the top is golden brown and the center is set but still moist. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean. If it jiggles like liquid, give it a few more minutes.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe enough—it’s one of those dishes that feels homey and indulgent without requiring a lot of fuss. Whether you’re feeding kids, guests, or just treating yourself on a quiet weekend, it’s reliably delicious and adaptable. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do eating it, morning after morning. Give it a try, and let me know—this just might become your new breakfast obsession!