Description
A thick, chewy, and comforting baked oatmeal casserole studded with tender apples and warm cinnamon. This make-ahead breakfast is easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 medium apples (peeled and diced, approx. 450g; mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups milk (whole, half-and-half, or dairy-free alternative)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons softened butter (for topping)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon extra cinnamon (for topping)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Peel and dice apples into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss with lemon juice if desired to prevent browning.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together beaten eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until uniform.
- Add rolled oats and diced apples to the wet mixture. Stir to coat evenly. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow oats to absorb liquid.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and extra cinnamon. Mix until it resembles coarse sand. Stir in nuts if using.
- Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the surface.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp, and the center is set. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares to allow it to set. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not use quick oats or steel-cut oats as they will alter the texture. Letting the oats soak in the liquid for 10 minutes is crucial for the right consistency. This recipe can be assembled the night before and refrigerated overnight; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and butter. For vegan, use flax eggs and plant-based butter/milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 1/
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
Keywords: baked oatmeal, apple cinnamon, make-ahead breakfast, healthy breakfast, meal prep, comfort food, gluten-free option, dairy-free option