Applesauce Oatmeal Bake: Healthy Cake for Breakfast

This Applesauce Oatmeal Bake combines ease and nutrition. A healthy dish that fills your home with cozy, inviting aromas, and feels like cake for breakfast.

NOTE: This post has been updated since it was originally published on April 19, 2022.

Start your day right with this hearty Applesauce Oatmeal Bake – the perfect solution for a healthy and comforting start to your day.

This delicious breakfast combines ease and nutrition and is ideal for busy caregivers on the go. In minutes, you can prepare a wholesome dish that fills your home with inviting aromas on a chilly morning.

An oatmeal bake offers hands-off cooking, allowing you to multitask as it bakes.

With endless variations possible, this versatile and satisfying meal will fuel you through your morning and jumpstart you into a beautiful day!

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Kitchen Tools Recommended

• Food processor – This is the food processor I like to use. It’s very powerful but also not crazy loud.
• Ramekins. I use two 8-ounce ramekins because they are perfect for individual portions, however, you can use any medium-sized bowl that can be put into the oven.

Ingredients To Make Applesauce Oatmeal Bake

Here I explain the best ingredients for making Applesauce Oatmeal Bake, along with substitutions and optional ingredients for you to consider. You can get the exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.

Rolled oats. Oats are a great source of vitamins and fiber. Most often I will use an organic, gluten-free, extra-thick oat for added fiber but you can also use old-fashioned oats or quick oats as well. I do not however recommend instant oats or steel-cut oats for this recipe.

Ground flax seed. Flax is another great source of healthy fat and fiber. You will use this to make a flax egg for the recipe.

Baking powder. Look for baking powder that is preferably aluminum-free.

Cinnamon. I like to use organic Ceylon cinnamon but regular will work just fine.

Kosher salt. Just a pinch will do.

Applesauce. Look for applesauce that contains nothing but apples – preferably organic.

Peanut butter. Look for peanut butter that contains nothing but peanuts – preferably organic.

NOTE: You can use other kinds of nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter. If you have a nut allergy, you can easily swap out the nut butter for a seed butter like sunflower or tahini.

Pure maple syrup. Look for maple syrup that does not contain any other added ingredients. A drizzle of maple syrup in this oatmeal bake is divine!

NOTE: You can also use honey if you prefer instead of maple syrup.

optional ingredients you may want to consider

Here are some optional ingredients you can add to your healthy baked oatmeal.

• Vegan chocolate chip. Optional but oh so yummy. These are what I use in most of my baked goods. They are dairy-free, gluten-free, and mini in size.
• Sliced bananas
• Berries. Adding berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, makes this applesauce oatmeal bake a beautiful, satisfying, and healthy breakfast.
• Dried fruit. For a chewy-like consistency, consider adding dried fruit like dried apricots, mango, dates, figs, etc. The options are endless, and it gives this applesauce oatmeal bake the best texture.
• Nuts and seeds. If you’d like a little crunch to your oatmeal bake, consider adding some chopped nuts like walnuts or crunchy pecans.
• Cacao powder
• Spices. For the fall and cooler months, consider using warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin spice. These bring a warm and comforting touch to a delicious wholesome breakfast.

How To Make Applesauce Oatmeal Bake: Step-By-Step Guide

Here I provide photos so you can see a step-by-step guide on how to make this baked apple oatmeal recipe. For further details, including tips and techniques, please see the printable recipe card below.

STEP 1. Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and lightly grease both ramekins.

STEP 2. Combine two tablespoons of ground flax seed in a small bowl with six tablespoons of filtered water. Stir until thoroughly mixed, and then set aside to thicken.

NOTE: This will be your flax egg and what holds the ingredients together. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes to fully gel.

STEP 3. Place the dry ingredients into the food processor, and pulse until the oats are broken down and blended evenly.

STEP 4. Add the remaining wet ingredients and blend until smooth.

If using the mini chocolate chips, or any of the other optional ingredients, remove the blade from the food processor and fold them in gently.

STEP 5. Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish evenly and place them in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. Insert a toothpick or sharp knife to make sure it comes out clean.

Once fully cooked, take the ramekins out of the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

How To Store

I doubt these delicious applesauce oatmeal bakes will ever need to be stored but just in case, know you can cover each ramekin with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge for two to three days.

You can also keep them in the freezer for longer storage, as long as they are in a freezer-safe airtight container. They can last in the freezer for up to six months.

Recipe Tips For Success

When you make this Oatmeal Bake Breakfast recipe, it is best to use the regular, not instant, rolled oats or steel-cut oats. My favorite for baking is Bob’s Red Mill Organic Extra-Thick Rolled Oats but you can use any rolled oats you desire.

I like the oats ground to almost a flour texture which is why I use a strong food processor. You can also just mix everything by hand, however, the texture of the applesauce oatmeal bake will be a bit heavier than the fine cake-like texture. Still yummy though!

If you want to make this cozy breakfast recipe gluten-free, you can easily do so by using rolled oats that say on the label “gluten-free.” Bob’s Red Mill makes a very good rolled oat that is gluten-free.

If you do not have ground flax, you can use chia seeds to make your egg substitute. Both work equally well.

The Perfect Recipe for a Busy Caregiver

Oatmeal is loaded with a lot of nutrients and fiber, and these bakes have very little sugar and zero flour in them. The rolled oats themselves work as flour, so enjoy this recipe without guilt and experiment with the wholesome ingredients to see what you like.

The first time I made this applesauce oatmeal recipe for Doug, who is managing Parkinson’s, he had no idea how healthy it was. I made it as a dessert in the evening, rather than for breakfast, and boy did he love it. It truly was like eating cake for breakfast!

Simplify your busy mornings, or evenings, with this warm and comforting Applesauce Oatmeal Bake. A great option that combines ease of quick preparation with the wholesome goodness of nutritious, healthy ingredients, making it the perfect choice for busy caregivers.

VIDEO: How to make Banana Oatmeal Bake

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Let’s Connect

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make an Applesauce Oatmeal Bake. If you do make this recipe, I would love for you to let me know by commenting below. Oh, and a 5-star recipe rating is always helpful!

QUESTION. Have you tried making an oatmeal bake before? If so, what was your favorite flavor combination? If not, what are you waiting for?! 😉

Please consider sharing this recipe with family and friends if you think they would enjoy it too.

Printable Recipe Card