Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bake (Printable Version)

Hearty baked oatmeal with fresh apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup - a perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings.

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned oats
02 - 1 1/2 cups milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
03 - 1 large apple, diced
04 - 2 eggs
05 - 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
07 - 1 tsp cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
09 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Optional Toppings

10 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
03 - Stir in oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly incorporated.
04 - Gently fold in diced apples and nuts (if using) to distribute throughout the mixture.
05 - Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
06 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, or refrigerate and reheat portions for a quick breakfast throughout the week.

# Notes:

01 - This oatmeal bake can be prepared the night before and refrigerated unbaked. Simply add 5 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
02 - For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the spice mixture.