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Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

Baked apple cinnamon oatmeal is the cozy make ahead breakfast that smells like autumn: tender oats baked with sweet apples, warm cinnamon and a hint of maple. Slice it like a cake and serve it warm with milk. Hearty, wholesome and perfect for busy holiday mornings.

November 9, 2026 50 mins
A slice of baked apple cinnamon oatmeal with walnuts on a plate beside a jug of milk and fresh apple slicesBreakfast
Prep10 mins
Cook40 mins
Total50 mins
Serves6
CourseBreakfast
CuisineAmerican

This Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe is the cozy make ahead breakfast that smells like autumn. Tender oats bake with sweet apples, warm cinnamon and a hint of maple into a soft, sliceable cake that you serve warm with milk. It is hearty, wholesome, and perfect for busy holiday mornings.

For more breakfast favourites, try our Banana Bread, our Cranberry Orange Scones and our Eggnog French Toast.

What Makes This Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal So Good

The magic is the texture. The oats bake into a soft, spoonable cake with crisp golden edges, and the apples soften into sweet, jammy pockets. Cinnamon and maple make the whole kitchen smell like a bakery while it bakes.

The method is wonderfully easy. Everything mixes in one bowl, bakes in one dish, and waits happily in the fridge for busy mornings. Warm a slice, pour over a little milk, and breakfast is done. It also reheats beautifully, so one Sunday bake covers breakfast for days.

The Key Ingredients

A short list of pantry and fresh staples is all this classic needs.

The Oats

Old fashioned rolled oats are essential here, as they hold their shape and bake into a tender, sliceable texture. Quick oats turn mushy, and steel cut oats stay too firm.

The Apples

Sweet tart apples like Honeycrisp or Gala soften beautifully without turning to mush. Dice them small so they distribute evenly through the oats.

The Cinnamon and Maple

Cinnamon brings the warmth, maple syrup adds a gentle sweetness, and vanilla ties it together. A pinch of nutmeg deepens the spice without overpowering the apples.

How to Make Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

The method is simple: mix, bake, then slice and serve.

  • Heat the oven: warm the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a baking dish.
  • Mix the dry ingredients: stir the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Add the wet ingredients: whisk the milk, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla, then pour over the oats.
  • Fold in the apples: stir in the diced apples and half the walnuts.
  • Bake until set: pour into the dish, top with the remaining walnuts, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Rest and serve: let it stand for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm with milk.

Mistakes to Avoid

Using Quick Oats

Quick oats absorb liquid too fast and bake into a mushy paste. Old fashioned rolled oats hold their shape and give the bake its lovely, tender texture.

Skipping the Rest

Cutting into the oatmeal straight from the oven makes it fall apart. A 10 minute rest lets it set, so it slices cleanly like a cake.

Overbaking the Dish

Too long in the oven dries the oatmeal out and makes the edges tough. Bake just until the centre is set and the top is golden.

What to Serve with Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This is a warm, hearty breakfast, and it loves simple accompaniments:

  • Warm milk, poured over each slice for a creamy finish
  • A dollop of Greek yoghurt, for a cool, tangy contrast
  • A drizzle of maple syrup, for extra sweetness on top
  • Fresh berries, for a bright pop beside the warm oats

Make It Your Own

The recipe welcomes tweaks. Swap the apples for pears or add a handful of dried cranberries for a festive touch. A spoonful of peanut butter swirled through the top adds richness, and a pinch of ginger gives the spice a little warmth. Top each slice with a spoonful of warm stewed apples for a bakery style finish. For a dairy free version, use oat milk and coconut oil instead of butter.

Make This Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Today

Warm, fragrant and ready in under an hour, this is the breakfast that makes a cold morning feel cozy. Mix it up tonight and let the oven do the rest. Browse more of our Breakfast recipes for more morning favourites.

Recipe card

Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

P Pin
Prep
10 mins
Cook
40 mins
Total
50 mins
Serves
6
Course
Breakfast
Cuisine
American

Ingredients

0/12 ready · tap to tick off

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • measuring cups
  • sharp knife

Method

Tap a step when it’s done.

Nutrition

320 kcal

Calories

9 g

Protein

48 g

Carbohydrates

11 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

18 g

Sugar

260 mg

Sodium

* Values are estimates.

Notes

  • Old fashioned rolled oats are essential for the right texture.
  • Dice the apples small so they soften evenly through the bake.
  • The oatmeal sets as it rests, so wait 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Leftover slices keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat single slices in the microwave for 1 minute.
  • The unbaked mixture can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning.

Tips for success

  • Use sweet tart apples like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best flavour.
  • Grease the dish well so the slices lift out cleanly.
  • Warm the milk slightly so the melted butter does not set in lumps.
  • Top with extra walnuts for a crunchy golden finish.
  • Serve with a jug of warm milk on the table for pouring.
  • Double the batch for a holiday house full of guests.

Questions & answers

Can I make baked oatmeal the night before?+
Yes. Assemble it in the baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it straight from the fridge in the morning, adding about 5 extra minutes to the bake time.
Can I use steel cut oats in this recipe?+
No. Steel cut oats need far more liquid and a much longer bake, so they stay hard in this recipe. Stick to old fashioned rolled oats.
Is baked apple cinnamon oatmeal gluten free?+
Yes, if you use certified gluten free oats. Oats are naturally gluten free but are often processed with wheat, so check the label.
Can I freeze baked oatmeal?+
Yes. Cool it completely, slice it, and freeze the slices in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the microwave or oven.
What can I use instead of walnuts?+
Pecans work beautifully, and sliced almonds add a lovely crunch. Leave the nuts out entirely for a nut free version, and add a few extra apple pieces instead.