Tasty Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups Recipe
Delicious and wholesome baked apple cinnamon oatmeal cups that are perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a healthy snack. Featuring a blend of old-fashioned oats, fresh apples, warming spices, and optional nuts, these oatmeal cups are naturally sweetened and easy to make ahead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 oatmeal cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups milk (360ml, either dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (120ml)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (120g)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned whole oats (255g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 generous cup chopped peeled apple (120g)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (50g)
- Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Generously spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. If using muffin liners, also spray them with nonstick spray. It’s recommended to skip liners if possible, as oatmeal cups tend to stick to them.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except the chopped apples, nuts, and coarse sugar. Once combined, gently fold in the apples and nuts (if using) with a spoon or silicone spatula. The batter will be slightly liquidy—this is normal.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup all the way to the top to ensure full muffins after baking. If desired, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for added sweetness and crunch.
- Bake the Oatmeal Cups: Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the tops look set. If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover the muffin pan with aluminum foil to prevent burning and achieve a perfect bake.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the oatmeal cups to cool for 5-10 minutes in the muffin pan before serving. This short cooling time helps improve texture and makes them easier to handle.
- Store Leftovers: Cover any leftover oatmeal cups tightly and refrigerate. They can be stored fresh for up to 1 week and make for convenient breakfasts or snacks throughout the week.
Notes
- Optionally add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
- Using muffin liners is not necessary and may cause sticking; nonstick spray alone works best.
- You can use any milk type such as dairy, almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Sprinkling coarse sugar on top adds a pleasant crunch and sweetness.
- Store baked oatmeal cups in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- These oatmeal cups can be enjoyed warm or cold and reheat well in a microwave or toaster oven.
Keywords: baked oatmeal cups, apple cinnamon oatmeal, healthy breakfast, make-ahead oatmeal, oatmeal muffins, vegetarian breakfast
