Imagine waking up to the warm, sweet aroma of cinnamon-spiced oats and tender apples baking in the oven. That’s exactly what this Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake delivers — a breakfast treat that feels like fall in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd on a holiday morning or just want something special for breakfast, this recipe brings hearty oats, crisp apples, comforting spices, and a light glaze together in a dish that’s simple to make and delightful to eat.
This baked oatmeal dish is perfect served warm or at room temperature and pairs beautifully with coffee or tea for a truly satisfying start to your day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this cozy apple-oatmeal bake (makes about 6–8 servings):
4 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
¼ cup apple juice or water
¾ cup chopped pecans (divided)
Powdered sugar and milk — for glaze
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking dish with nonstick spray. In a bowl, toss the cubed apples with lemon juice to keep them vibrant and prevent browning.
2. Grind the Oats
Pulse the old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor until they resemble coarse cornmeal. Combine them with flour, baking soda, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt, then beat in the eggs one at a time until well incorporated.
4. Mix and Fold
Add half the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, followed by the apple juice. Mix until smooth. Then stir in the remaining dry ingredients. Gently fold in the diced apples and half of the chopped pecans.
5. Bake It Up
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and smooth it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining pecans over the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before adding glaze.
Glaze (Optional but So Good)
Whisk together:
1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 Tbsp milk (or apple juice for more apple flavor)
Drizzle over the cooled bake and let it set before serving.
Tips and Variations
Nut-Free? Skip the pecans or swap for sunflower seeds
Gluten-Free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
Extra Sweetness? Add a handful of raisins or a drizzle of maple syrup before baking
Prep Ahead: Mix the dry ingredients the night before to save time in the morning
Add Protein: Serve with a scoop of Greek yogurt or a side of eggs for a more filling meal
Why You’ll Love It
This breakfast bake blends textures and flavors — soft baked apples, hearty oats, warm cinnamon, and just the right hint of sweetness. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, but still feels nourishing and homemade. It’s great for family brunches, holiday mornings, or when you want something warm and filling without the fuss.
Nutrition Snapshot
Per serving (approximate):
561 calories
75g carbs
28g fat
7g protein
49g sugar
6g fiber
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Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is cozy, cinnamon-spiced, and packed with tender apples, hearty oats, and crunchy pecans — all finished with a sweet glaze. It’s the ultimate warm breakfast that doubles as a fall-flavored treat.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup apple juice or water
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (divided)
- For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 Tbsp milk or apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking dish.
- Toss cubed apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Pulse oats in a food processor until coarse. Mix with flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Add vanilla and salt, then beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add half of the dry mixture to the wet mixture, then stir in apple juice. Mix until smooth.
- Stir in remaining dry mixture, then gently fold in apples and half of the pecans.
- Transfer batter to baking dish and smooth out. Sprinkle remaining pecans on top.
- Bake 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before glazing.
- Whisk glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the cooled bake. Let set before serving.
Notes
Nut-free? Skip or swap pecans. Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 GF flour. For extra flavor, try raisins or maple drizzle. Great served warm with coffee or topped with Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 561
- Sugar: 49g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Final Thoughts
This Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake is the kind of dish that’ll have your kitchen smelling like a cinnamon-scented candle — in the best way. It’s easy to prep, packed with flavor, and a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you make it on a lazy Sunday or for a holiday brunch, this one’s gonna stick in your recipe rotation. Trust me, once you try it, you’re going to want to make it again… and again.