Looking for a quick breakast idea? Try this easy, make-ahead Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal (THM XO)!
Co-written by Erin Odom, site owner, and Dena Norton, Contributing Writer
Oats are a staple in our home. We love them in every form – from crispy baked granola to delicious and healthy breakfast cookies to a simple bowl of raw oat “cereal” with milk and raisins.
But we also eat our fair share of cooked oatmeal, and today I’m sharing one of our favorite new recipes that I know you’ll love too: Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal!
Easy, Make-Ahead Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is one of the fastest and easiest cooked breakfasts to prepare. Literally stir, pour, and bake!
And, to save even more time in the morning, it can be mixed up ahead of time, then refrigerated in the pan for up to 24 hours (in fact, it would probably keep for up to 48 hours, but I haven’t tried it myself). The next morning, just bake and serve!
What mama doesn’t love a breakfast recipe that everyone enjoys and that literally cooks itself?
Baked Oatmeal – a Hearty and Healthy Breakfast
This hearty baked oatmeal is rich in fiber, whole grains, fruit, and healthy fats. It is gluten free, has no artificial ingredients, and is honey sweetened, except for the powdered sugar icing on top.
About that icing…it’s optional, but really does make this breakfast extra special. For those following the THM lifestyle, you’ll need to find your preferred sweetener of choice: Powered Swerve, Powered Lankanto, or just blitz up some THM Gentle Sweet and make your own “powdered” sugar!
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal (THM XO)
Ingredients
Oatmeal Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 large or 2 small apples, cored and chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, divided
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup Pyure OR 2 T. THM Super Sweet* (1/2 cup of maple syrup or honey or 1/2 cup granulated sugar can also work for those who don't follow THM)
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup. melted butter (or coconut oil)
(OPTIONAL) Icing Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, sea salt, apples, and half of the walnuts.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, then add honey, milk and vanilla, whisking thoroughly. (The honey may clump a little when the cold milk is added. Just whisk the best you can, and it'll turn out fine.)
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to mix.
- Pour the mixture into a 8x8 square pan. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts, then drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until top is deep brown and bubbly. (Don't overcook! Remove and test doneness with a spoon if needed the baked oatmeal should be very moist, yet have some form. It will continue to set as it cools.)
- While oatmeal is in the oven, whisk icing ingredients together. Drizzle over hot oatmeal. (I like to reserve about half the icing for drizzling additional over each bowl when served.)
Notes
The uncooked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours - I placed the cold dish in my oven while it was preheating to allow it to heat gradually and prevent breakage, then used cooking times listed above. If you mixed the icing in advance and refrigerated it, just allow it to come to room temperature on the counter while the oatmeal bakes.
Notes from Erin - creator of this website, BA, nutrition coach, and certified Trim Healthy Mama coach:
As written, this recipe is an excellent Trim Healthy Mama Crossover (XO) meal. All ingredients are on plan, and XOs are excellent for those in maintenance mode, pregnant and nursing women, and growing children to consume on a regular basis.
Men tend to have higher metabolisms and can also eat more XOs on a regular basis without gaining weight.
XOs are not "cheat" meals. They are a healthy and nutritious part of the Trim Healthy Mama eating framework. However, for those in current weight loss mode, XOs are best eaten occasionally and not for every single meal or for every single day.
For more information on Erin's Trim Healthy Mama coaching programs, check out this page or purchase one of her menu plan bundles here.
*If following the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan, you can also use any of the following sweeteners instead of the ones listed: 1/2 c. + 2 T. erythritol, 1/2 cup xylitol**, 1/2 cup Swerve, 1/4 cup THM Gentle Sweet, 2 T. Truvia, or 1/2 tsp. pure stevia
**Notes on the optional frosting: You'll really have to play with the sweetener and liquid amounts to find what works for you. Lankanto says they are 1:1 with powdered sugar, and other sites say to only use half. I personally haven't added the icing on mine and like it just fine!
Dena Norton, MS, RD is a registered dietitian who lives with her husband and two children in Houston. Dena owns Back To The Book Nutrition, a web site and virtual nutrition practice devoted to helping women fix the root cause of their gut and hormone symptoms so they can get back to life! Connect with Dena on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Cookie
Wow! This looks amazing!! Also like something I might actually be able to pull off! Growing up in New England, anything apple is a hit with me 🙂
Dena Norton
You can totally pull it off, Cookie – it’s SO easy! 🙂
[email protected]
I love oatmeal! This looks delicious. Pinned it.
Dena Norton
Thanks, Rebecca!
Erin
Thanks for such a great (and delicious-looking!) post, Dena! I can’t wait to make this!!
Dena Norton
Glad to share it, Erin – thanks for having me!
I’m loving following your Costa Rican journey here and on social media as well! 🙂
Holly
Thank you for the recipe! I used maple syrup vs honey and left out the eggs and I am in Love. Delicious!
Dena Norton
I’m so glad you liked it, Holly – thanks for reporting back to share what you thought! 🙂
Lauren
If I’m out of apples can I just use bananas instead?
Dena Norton
Hi Lauren,
I just saw this comment so I’m sure it’s too late for you (sorry!), but maybe others will benefit from the answer. I’ve not used bananas in this particular recipe, but we cook them in our stove top/microwave oatmeal all the time and love it – it’s like bananad bread meets oatmeal! I think they’d work great here too, as would just about any fruit!
Lina
Made this today and it was a hit . Thanks a lot !
Erin
Oh I’m so glad it worked out well for you!
Jill York
What a perfect comfort breakfast for this time of year!
Dena Norton
Thanks, Jill! 🙂