Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups are the perfect make-ahead breakfast or meal prep snack. Baked in a muffin tin for easy single-serving portions, these healthy oatmeal cups can be topped with a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or caramel for a delicious finishing touch.

Easy and Delicious Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups Recipe

Baked oatmeal is a classic favorite when it comes to a make-ahead breakfast options. Oatmeal is hearty, wholesome, and incredibly versatile. But baking oatmeal in a muffin pan takes it to the next level! Not only does it create perfect single-serving portions, but there’s just something fun and appealing about food in muffin form, especially for the kiddos.

These apple cinnamon oatmeal muffins are a hit with little ones and adults alike, offering all the cozy comfort of traditional baked oatmeal in a portable, kid-friendly format. It’s amazing how simply changing the shape can make a familiar dish feel fresh, fun, and exciting! It’s a healthy breakfast recipe the whole family will love.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups in a cupcake pan: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card).

• Oats – Old fashioned oats form the base of the oatmeal apple cups.
• Liquid – Whole milk for moisture.
• Apple – Gala apples or granny smith apples and applesauce to amp up the flavor.
• Syrup – Maple syrup adds a hint of maple flavor.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract add creamy floral notes to the taste.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs bind the oatmeal mixture together.
• Sugar – Light brown sugar for sweetness plus turbinado sugar for the tops.
• Nuts – Pecans add crunch.
• Spices – Apple pie spice OR ground cinnamon.
• Leavening – Baking powder and salt give lift to the texture so the oatmeal cups puff while baking.

How to Make the BEST Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups Recipe

• Combine the Wet Ingredients – Whisk together milk, apple sauce, maple syrup, vanilla and eggs until fully blended.
• Combine with Dry Ingredients – Add oatmeal, brown sugar, apples, pecans, apple pie spice, baking powder and salt. Mix well, until the apple chunks and pecans are evenly distributed.
• Divide the Oatmeal Mixture – Divide remaining apples evenly between muffin cups pressing into mixture. Sprinkle the tops with turbinado sugar for crunch.
• Oven – Bake per the cooking time in the recipe until lightly puffed and golden brown.
• Serve immediately with additional maple syrup, honey or a drizzle of caramel.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups

• Large bowl and medium bowl.
• Large whisk for combining the ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Sharp knife and chopping board or apple corer and peeler.
• 12-cup standard size cupcake pan.
• Ice cream scoop. You can use a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a standard size 4 ounce ice cream scoop to divide the oatmeal mixture evenly between muffin cups.
• Wire rack for cooling the apple oatmeal cups after baking.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Oats – I use old fashioned oats for these as they maintain texture and baked beautifully. You could use quick oats, too. I don’t recommend using instant oats.
• Milk – If you prefer, almond milk can be substituted for cow’s milk. You could also adapt using oat milk or soy milk for a dairy-free option.
• Eggs – Eggs can be substituted for flax-seed eggs or any egg substitution that you’ve had success swapping out in other baked goods.
• Nuts – You could use walnuts or almonds in place of pecans.
• Spices – You could use pumpkin pie spice in place of apple pie spice.
• Fruit – You could use blueberries or cubed strawberries to change the flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chips – You could also add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to the oatmeal mixture.
• Flavoring – To take the oatmeal cups in a slightly different flavor direction, you can use almond or maple extract rather than vanilla extract.
• Turbinado Sugar – Turbinado sugar, also called sugar in the raw, adds a nice crunch to the tops of the oatmeal cups. Plus, it adds just a smidge of extra sweetness.
• Apples – You can use any variety of apples that you enjoy in these oatmeal cups. Fuji apples, honeycrisp apples or braeburn apples all work. It’s completely up to to to peel the apples or leave the peel intact as I did. There’s no wrong way to do it.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – These Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups can be made in advance, popped into an airtight container and chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating – Reheated in the microwave or toaster oven for a quick breakfast on busy mornings.
• Freezer – You can also freeze the oatmeal cups in a freezer safe container, for up to one month.

More Oatmeal Recipes to Make

Oatmeal is a staple in my pantry and it can be used in a variety of ways. More recipes you may enjoy:

• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes are a tasty start to the day.
• Oatmeal Pie is a delicious option for those who don’t like nuts.
• Cinnamon Streusel Oatmeal Muffins are a delicious side for a cup of coffee or tea.
• Old fashioned Oatmeal Cake with Broiled Coconut Pecan Icing.
• Apple Baked Oatmeal is topped with an apple compote and a drizzle of maple syrup or cream.
• Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
• These Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies pack a bite of nostalgia in every bite.
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are made with quick cooking oats.
• Overnight Slow Cooker Oats from Well Plated.

 

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Muffin and Cupcake Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer
• Measuring Set