Tasty Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups Recipe
These Tasty Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups are a wholesome and flavorful breakfast or snack option. Made with wholesome oats, fresh apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce, they are baked to perfection with a tender, moist texture inside and a lightly crisp top. Optional nuts add a pleasant crunch. Easy to prepare and perfect for on-the-go meals or meal prep.
- 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, 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 you use muffin liners, spray them as well, although liners are optional and can be skipped as oatmeal cups tend to stick to them.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla essence, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Then gently fold in the chopped apples and nuts if using. The batter will be slightly liquidy.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling them all the way to the top to ensure full muffins. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired for added sweetness and crunch.
- Bake the Oatmeal Cups: Bake for 28 to 30 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the tops are set. If the tops brown too quickly, tent the muffin pan with aluminum foil to prevent burning and ensure even baking.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the oatmeal cups to cool in the muffin pan for 5 to 10 minutes before removing. This cooling step improves texture and makes them easier to handle.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover oatmeal cups covered tightly in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to one week, making them ideal for convenient breakfasts or snacks throughout the week.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats for best texture; avoid quick oats as they may become too mushy.
- You can substitute the applesauce with mashed banana if desired for a different flavor.
- If you prefer, replace maple syrup with honey or agave nectar, but avoid refined sugars to keep it healthier.
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or pecans.
- These oatmeal cups freeze well; freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw before reheating.
Keywords: baked oatmeal cups, apple cinnamon oatmeal, healthy breakfast, meal prep oatmeal, baked oatmeal muffins, vegetarian breakfast
