Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 3 cups Old-Fashioned Oats (Use rolled oats, not quick oats. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.)
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Adds a warm, spicy flavor that complements the apples.)
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (Helps the baked oatmeal to rise and achieve a softer texture.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt (Enhances the sweetness and balances all the flavors.)
• 2 cups Milk (Unsweetened vanilla almond milk is recommended, but any milk works. Adjust sweetness as needed.)
• 1 cup Unsweetened Applesauce (Adds moisture and enhances the apple flavor naturally.)
• 1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup (For natural sweetness; can substitute with honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar. Adjust to taste.)
• 2 tablespoons Butter Or Coconut Oil (Melted; adds richness and moisture. Coconut oil offers a dairy-free option.)
• 2 Large Eggs (Binds the ingredients and adds protein. Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Enhances the overall flavor.)
• 1 Apple (Honeycrisp recommended; may be peeled or unpeeled, diced into small chunks.)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a large bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well combined.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk (almond or other), unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, melted butter or coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the oatmeal tender.
5. Fold in the diced apple pieces until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. Pour the combined oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set further.
9. Serve warm, topped with your favorite toppings such as whipped cream, yogurt, nut butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, dried cranberries, raisins, or fresh apple slices.