I’m usually a little hesitant to try oat-based recipes because I don’t always love that traditional oatmeal texture, but this easy apple cinnamon oatmeal bake genuinely surprised me. It bakes up soft and tender, almost like a soft breakfast bread, with sweet apples, warm cinnamon and brown sugar in every bite. Prep the whole thing the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning and serve it warm with a little maple syrup on top.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
- Good protein + fiber. Each oatmeal square is packed with 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Pair it with some eggs or yogurt for a super nutritious meal.
- Great for meal prep. Bake one pan and you’ll have several servings ready to reheat throughout the week. A drizzle of maple syrup on top makes it even better.
- Super easy. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl and poured into an 8×8 baking dish. There’s very little prep and the next morning is even easier. Just throw it in the oven.
- Soft, bread-like texture. If you’re not a big fan of traditional oatmeal, this is completely different. It’s much more like a moist bread than any kind of oatmeal.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Quick-cook oats: Quick-cook oats give this bake its soft, tender texture. Old-fashioned oats may result in a chewier, more traditional baked-oatmeal texture. Make sure you’re using plain quick oats, not flavored instant oatmeal packets.
Milk: Use whatever milk you normally keep on hand. Dairy or unsweetened non-dairy milk should both work well.
Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt works best here. You can use nonfat, 2%, or whole milk Greek yogurt depending on what you have.
Brown sugar: Pack the brown sugar when measuring it. You’ll use it both in the oatmeal mixture and for the cinnamon-sugar topping.
Cinnamon: Regular ground cinnamon is all you need. Some goes into the oatmeal and a little more gets mixed with brown sugar for the top.
Apple: One large apple is plenty. Dice it fairly small so the pieces soften while the oatmeal bakes. Peeling it is completely optional. I personally leave the peel on.
Other pantry staples: You’ll also need melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder and salt. Just basic ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Tips & Notes for the Best Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
Let it sit for best texture. This oatmeal bake should be soft and moist inside while still firm enough to cut into squares. It will continue to set as it rests, so let it sit for about 10–15 minutes after baking before slicing.
Use quick-cook oats for the best texture. This recipe was tested with quick-cooking oats, which soften more than old-fashioned rolled oats and give the bake its tender, almost bread-like texture.
Dice the apple fairly small. Smaller pieces will soften more completely during baking and distribute better throughout each slice. You can peel the apple first or leave the skin on.
Prep it the night before. The entire oatmeal bake can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated overnight. In the morning, just uncover it and bake.
FAQs
No. Refrigerating it overnight is a convenient make-ahead option, but you don’t have to wait until the next morning to bake it. If making it the same day, let the mixture sit for about 15–20 minutes while the oven preheats so the quick oats have a chance to absorb some of the liquid.
Yes, old-fashioned rolled oats should work. However, quick-cook oats are what I tested and recommend because they create a softer, more tender texture. If you use old-fashioned oats, the oatmeal bake may be slightly chewier and more traditional baked-oatmeal texture.
No, peeling the apple is completely optional. The peel will soften as the oatmeal bakes. Whether you peel it or not, dice the apple into fairly small pieces so it cooks through and you get apple in every serving.
The center should look set rather than wet or liquidy, and the edges should be lightly golden. The inside will still be soft and moist when you first take it out of the oven. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before cutting so it has time to finish setting.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake with Brown Sugar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1½ cups milk
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large apple (diced small)
For the Topping:
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings:
- maple syrup (highly recommend)
- nut butter
- drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, eggs, brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla until well combined.
- Add the quick oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Stir until everything is evenly mixed. (Don't overmix.) Then, gently stir in the diced apples. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the oatmeal mix. (Honestly, I don't measure here! I just sprinkle a little of each over the top and save myself the hassle of washing another dish, but if you prefer to measure, you can go with what I listed.)
- Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, remove the oatmeal from the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the baked oatmeal rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing or scooping. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or nut butter, if desired. My daughters love theirs with maple syrup. :)
- If you make this and have a quick second to give it a rating, it would help my little blog so much! I appreciate your time! Just scroll to the very bottom of the page until you see a row of stars. You can simply click the stars to rate it. Thank you!
Nutrition
How to Store Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
Let the oatmeal bake cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly or transfer individual portions to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, microwave an individual serving for about 30–60 seconds, or until warmed through. I like adding a little maple syrup after reheating.
More Cinnamon-Sugar Inspired Recipe
If you love the warm cinnamon-sugar flavor in this oatmeal bake, I have a few more recipes you’ll want to try. From easy cookies to protein-packed muffins and pancakes, these are all simple treats with that same cozy cinnamon-sugar flavor.
