This vegan baked oatmeal is like a healthy apple pie for breakfast! It’s simple, naturally sweetened, and keeps you full and energized all morning long!
Baked oatmeal is one of my favorite plant-based breakfast ideas! Oatmeal is a whole grain full of fiber, and when paired with fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup it almost feels like dessert!
I probably enjoy oatmeal for breakfast at least a few times a week. Sometimes I make it on the stove, and other times I prepare overnight oats like my favorite peanut butter overnight oats or my protein overnight oats with berries. But when I’m feeding a crowd, baked oatmeal is the way to go!
It’s an easy addition to a brunch spread, or to feed a family on a weekend morning.
Looking to your pantry for meal inspiration is a great way to save money on your weekly grocery bill. I often buy things like oats, quinoa, and almond milk in bulk. It takes me a few months to get through it, but that’s not a problem since it all keeps.
With an abundance of oats, plenty of almond milk, a few beautiful apples, and some cinnamon, I pulled together a spectacularly healthy vegan baked oatmeal that resembled an apple pie. The apples are tart and sweet and the walnuts add a nice crunch.
Try these vegan baked apples for another simple and delicious snack or dessert!
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Why You’ll Love this Vegan Baked Oatmeal
- Feeds a Small Crowd
- High in Fiber
- Low in Calorie
- Hearty and Satisfying
- Tastes like apple pie!
- Whole Food Plant-Based Ingredients
- Simple and Easy
- Pantry Ingredients
- Versatile Recipe (Customize)
Ingredients and Notes
Rolled Oats: There are many different varieties of oats, including steel-cut, quick, and rolled oats. I recommend using rolled oats as they keep their shape and texture but cook more quickly than steel-cut oats. Quick oats will result in soggy baked oatmeal without much texture.
Dairy-Free Milk: You can use any dairy-free milk of your choice. We have an abundance of unsweetened almond milk, but oat milk would also work very well.
Spices: Add more cinnamon if you like a stronger cinnamon flavor. You can also use pumpkin pie spice which is a combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
Nuts: Use pecans, walnuts, or any nut you like, or leave them out altogether if you’re not a fan or have an allergy.
Apples: When it comes to apples I had some Granny Smith and Gala apples on hand. I used one of each chopped into chunks. Gala apples are sweet, while Granny Smith apples are tart. Together they complement one another well. However, you can use any variety of apples you have at home. Or add another favorite fruit if you don’t have apples!
How to Make Vegan Baked Oatmeal – Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Blend together the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl combine the almond milk, flax seeds, and maple syrup.
Step 3: Chop apples into ½ inch chunks.
Step 4: Spread half the apples onto the bottom of the baking dish. Pour oats mixture on top of apples. Pour the wet ingredients (almond milk mixture) on top of the oats. Make sure all the oats are covered with almond milk. If some parts are dry, add a bit more almond milk until oats are completely covered.
Step 5: Top with the rest of the apples and the chopped walnuts.
Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375 F or until the top of oats is golden brown.
Step 7: Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Use rolled oats, not steel cut oats.
- Be sure to use unsweetened almond milk. You can use regular or vanilla. If you use regular you may want to add one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Use gluten free oats if you need to ensure this dish is gluten-free. Oats are naturally gluten-free but some brands are cross contaminated.
- Bake until golden brown on the top. Baking time may vary.
Recipe FAQS
Yes! These oats are vegan which means that they don’t have any animal products added, including eggs or dairy. The ground flax acts as a binder with the rest of the ingredients taking place of an egg.
Oats are vegan, but the way oatmeal is made is not always vegan. Many recipes use dairy milk to cook oats. However, other recipes use water or dairy-free milk to cook the oats. This recipe uses almond milk. It gives the oats a richer flavor than using water but still keeps the recipe vegan friendly.
This baked oatmeal recipe is healthy! It has fiber from the oats and the apples, some added protein, and fat from the ground flax seeds, yet is relatively low in sugar, and low in calories. The sugar from the oatmeal comes from the apples, which is all-natural. There is no refined sugar added. Even with a drizzle of maple syrup, you can be sure that this recipe will fuel your body with healthy vitamins and nutrients to keep you full and happy all morning.
Variations
More Spices: Feel free to add more warm spices, such as nutmeg, cloves, ginger, or allspice.
Other Non-Dairy Milk: You can use any type of non-dairy milk that you have in hand. Soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk would all work well. Be aware that if you add coconut milk, the oats will have a coconut flavor.
Fillings: Many different fruits would work well with this recipe. I recommend using fruit that’s in season. Peaches would be delicious in the summer, or fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries. Bananas will make these oats even sweeter. For a decadent treat try adding vegan chocolate chips. Add ¼ cup of raisins for a little extra sweetness.
Nuts: Use any type of nuts you like, or leave them out together if you’re not a nut person. Another option is to add ¼ cup of nut butter such as peanut or almond butter.
How to Serve
Drizzle a touch of maple syrup on top before serving. Or pair this oats recipe with a dollop of unsweetened coconut milk yogurt and a dash of cinnamon. Serve warm straight from the oven.
How to Keep
If you have leftovers, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Drizzle with a little extra almond milk to bring back some moisture and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
More Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Recipe
Vegan Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Walnuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups almond milk
- 1 tbsp ground flax
- ¼ cup maple syrup plus more to drizzle on top
- 2 apples peeled and chopped into ½ inch cubes
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl combine the almond milk, flax seeds, and maple syrup.
- Chop apples into ½ inch chunks.
- Spread half the apples onto the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish. Pour oats mixture on top of apples. Pour almond milk mixture on top of the oats. Make sure all the oats are covered with the almond milk. If some parts are dry add a bit more almond milk until oats are completely covered.
- Top with the rest of the apples and the chopped nuts.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375 F or until top of oats are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Use rolled oats, not steel cut oats.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of ginger, nutmeg, or clove.
- Add any fruit that you like such as sliced banana, or blueberries.
- Add ¼ cup of raisins for a little extra sweetness.
- If gluten-free use gluten-free oats.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days covered and sealed.
- When ready to reheat add a little more almond milk until oats are moistened and warm in the oven or microwave.
Cheryl
Can you skip the ground flax or use something else? I don’t have any.
Alison Corey
You can use ground chia if you have it, or you can leave it out. The ground flax helps to bind the ingredients, but you can likely get by without it.
Kathy
Wonderful recipe! I did add 2 ripe bananas & raisins!! Thank you for a great recipe!!!
Alison Corey
Adding bananas and raisins sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Pam
I have to confess – I have never eaten or cooked baked oatmeal, but it sounds so good and easy. I’m all over this recipe!
Angela Allison
Baked oatmeal is always a favorite around my house. Love adding the apples and walnuts for a bit of sweet crunch. This recipe is fantastic, definitely a keeper!
Ashley
Such a great sweet treat recipe! Thanks for sharing!
kim
Yum! Love this recipe. It was so easy and flavorful! I’ll be making it again and again!
Ellen
I’m looking for breakfast ideas now that the kids are home indefinitely. This will be a perfect way to start the day before virtual school.