A warm and comforting baked oatmeal dish featuring the tartness of cranberries and the sweetness of apples, combined with wholesome oats and a touch of cinnamon. This hearty breakfast is perfect for chilly mornings, offering a nourishing and satisfying start to your day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for meal prep – Make it ahead and enjoy a ready-to-eat breakfast throughout the week.
- Naturally sweetened – Uses maple syrup and fruit for a wholesome touch of sweetness.
- Vegan and gluten-free – Suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
- Warm and cozy flavors – Cinnamon, apples, and cranberries create a delicious fall and winter-inspired dish.
- Customizable – Easily swap or add ingredients to suit your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground ginger
- Salt
- Unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- Pure maple syrup
- Almond butter
- Vanilla extract
- Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- Sweet apple (such as Honeycrisp), chopped
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Chopped raw walnuts (optional)
Directions
- Preheat Oven – Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or an 8x8-inch square dish.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.
- Prepare Wet Mixture – In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla extract, and arrowroot powder until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Mixtures – Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add Fruits – Gently fold in the chopped apple and cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish – Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. If using, sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top.
- Bake – Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the oatmeal is set and the top is golden brown.
- Serve – Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally drizzled with additional maple syrup or a splash of almond milk.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: Approximately 220 kcal per serving
Variations
- Nut-Free Option – Omit the almond butter and walnuts or replace with sunflower seed butter and pumpkin seeds.
- Extra Protein – Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder or mix in some chia seeds.
- More Sweetness – Stir in raisins, dates, or extra maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter taste.
- Crunchy Topping – Sprinkle some granola or coconut flakes on top before baking for added texture.
- Different Fruits – Swap cranberries for blueberries, raspberries, or dried cherries for a twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating – Warm in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
FAQs
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you have a sensitivity.
Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?
No, steel-cut oats have a different texture and require more liquid and longer cooking times. Stick with rolled oats for the best results.
What’s a good substitute for almond butter?
You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or even tahini for a nut-free version.
Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?
Yes, you can use any dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice.
What type of apples work best for this recipe?
Sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work best, but you can use tart apples like Granny Smith for more contrast.
Do I need to thaw frozen cranberries before adding them?
No, you can add them directly to the mixture without thawing.
Can I make this oatmeal ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it the night before and store it in the fridge for an easy breakfast the next day.
How can I make this oatmeal even creamier?
Add a little extra almond milk or stir in some coconut milk for a richer texture.
Can I bake this in muffin tins?
Yes, you can divide the mixture into muffin cups and bake for about 25-30 minutes.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, but if your kids prefer a sweeter taste, you may want to add extra maple syrup or use a sweeter apple variety.
Conclusion
Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal is a delicious, wholesome, and easy-to-make breakfast that’s perfect for meal prep. With its warm spices, sweet apples, and tart cranberries, it’s a cozy and nutritious way to start your day. Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or as a quick grab-and-go meal, this baked oatmeal will quickly become a breakfast favorite.
Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting, and nutritious breakfast dish featuring tart cranberries, sweet apples, and hearty oats. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and packed with cozy cinnamon flavor, this easy baked oatmeal is perfect for meal prep, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 1 sweet apple (e.g., Honeycrisp), chopped
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped raw walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or 8x8-inch square dish.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Stir well.
- Prepare Wet Mixture – In another bowl, whisk almond milk, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, and arrowroot powder until smooth.
- Combine Mixtures – Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Add Fruits – Fold in the chopped apple and cranberries, distributing them evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish – Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle walnuts on top if using.
- Bake – Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and set.
- Serve – Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with extra maple syrup or almond milk.
Notes
- Nut-Free Option – Use sunflower seed butter and omit walnuts.
- Extra Protein – Add chia seeds or a scoop of plant-based protein powder.
- Sweeter Variation – Stir in raisins, dates, or additional maple syrup.
- Different Fruits – Swap cranberries for blueberries, raspberries, or dried cherries.
- Crunchy Topping – Sprinkle granola or coconut flakes on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
