Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

Name: Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal (Vegan)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups rolled oats, GF certified, if needed; 2 apples, any sweet variety, cored and chopped; 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (3.5 oz) (See Notes re: frozen cranberries); 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk; ⅓ cup unsalted almond butter; ½ cup maple syrup; 3 tablespoons coconut sugar (Or sub light brown sugar or additional maple syrup, to taste.); 2 tablespoons arrowroot or corn starch; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt; ½ cup chopped raw walnuts or pecans (2 oz.)

Prep this easy and colorful Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal in the evening, then bake it in the morning for a hands-off, deliciously aromatic, warm breakfast! Oats team up with maple syrup, cinnamon, apples, cranberries, walnuts, and a hint of ginger to create a wholesome breakfast everyone will love. Vegan, WFPB, and free from oil, refined-sugar, gluten, and soy; nut-free option.

apple cranberry baked oatmeal in a white baking dish.

Is there a lovelier aroma to wake up to than warm apple-cinnamon? I really don't think so! Okay, maybe cinnamon rolls. I'm noticing a common theme here...

But if you're in the mood for a healthier breakfast, this Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal made with wholesome ingredients is the clear winner every time!

With festive and bright fresh cranberries, chopped apple, crunchy walnuts, and soft, creamy oats, I can't imagine anyone turning up their nose to this baked oatmeal.

Next up, be sure to try these Baked Oatmeal Bars.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love Cranberry Baked Oatmeal
Ingredient Notes
How to Make It
Variations
How to Store This Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal
FAQs
More healthy breakfast recipes:
Recipe Video
Recipe
💬 Comments

If you're a fan of cranberries, boy, are you in the right place! I'm slightly obsessed and have plenty more recipes with fresh cranberries for you:

Sweet recipes:

And savory cranberry recipes:

a serving of apple baked oatmeal on a plate.

Why You'll Love Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

In addition to the irresistible aroma and nutritious benefits, oatmeal bakes like this one are a breeze to throw together!

Spend about 15 minutes assembling everything in a casserole dish before going to bed, pop it into the fridge, and when you wake up simply crumble walnuts on top and bake. Perfect for busy mornings!

This is the perfect breakfast to share with family on Christmas day or really any holiday or leisurely morning spent with family.

Ingredient Notes

Another great thing about this recipe is that you probably have most of the ingredients on hand and if not, they are easy to find at the grocery store. And if you bought too many cranberries this holiday season, this is a perfect way to use any leftover cranberries.

Here's a quick look at what you'll need.

old-fashioned oats - use rolled oats, not steel cut oats, and ensure they are certified gluten-free if needed
fresh apples - use sweet apples such as honeycrisp rather than a tart variety like granny smith apples
cranberries - either fresh or frozen (not dried cranberries)
raw walnuts - they add great crunch but can be omitted if you're trying to reduce overall fat intake
raw almond butter - adds moisture and makes the baked oatmeal more satisfying.
unsweetened almond milk - or your favorite plain non-dairy milk
arrowroot or corn starch - thickens the liquid mixture and gives the oatmeal
warm spices - cinnamon and ginger are delicious paired with the apple, cranberries, and maple
vanilla extract - enhances all of the flavors in the dish
maple syrup - this natural sweetener is the main source of sweetness in the recipe
coconut sugar or brown sugar, optional

See the recipe card below for amounts and full instructions.

ingredients needed for vegan apple baked oatmeal with chopped apple on a cutting board.

How to Make It

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this baked oatmeal is ridiculously easy. Literally the only part that requires "work" is the chopping of two apples. That's it!

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Otherwise, you're essentially just combining ingredients. Here's a glance at the basic process:

Place the oats in a 9-inch square baking dish and set aside.
To combine the liquid ingredients you have options. Either whisk together by hand in a medium bowl, or blend until smooth.
Wash the cranberries, and wash, core, and chop the apples.
Layer the apples and cranberries on top of the oats, and pour the wet ingredients on top.
If assembling at night, cover and refrigerate.
Just before baking, sprinkle the oatmeal mixture with chopped walnuts (or pecans).

layers of oats, apple, and cranberries in a baking dish.

Variations

Have fun with this recipe, and try a variety of fruits, nuts and spices. Here are some examples:

Swap the walnuts for another type of nut such as crunchy pecans.
Need a nut-free version of baked oatmeal? Use a different non-dairy milk, such as soy or oat, replace the almond butter with another fat of your choice (like coconut butter), and omit the nuts on top or replace them with pumpkin seeds.
Not a big fan of tart cranberries? Swap them out for other fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
Try pears instead of apples...or both!
Go for a more heavily spiced oatmeal by increasing the ginger and adding a dash of clove.
For strong ginger flavor, infuse the milk with fresh ginger before using.
Add your favorite dried fruits for variety, like raisins, currants, or apricots.

the best apple baked oatmeal ready for the oven.

How to Store This Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal

Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for about 4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake them in ramekins in the oven.

cross-section of apple cranberry baked oatmeal in a pan.

FAQs

What is baked oatmeal?

Unlike traditional stovetop oatmeal, baked oatmeal is made by by combining oats with milk, sweetener, spices, and mix-ins and then baking the oat mixture in the oven.

Do I have to prep baked oatmeal the night before?

No, you don't have to make this recipe the night before. You can prep and bake it all at the same time, but allowing it to sit overnight will make the oats softer and creamier.

easy baked oatmeal in a white square baking dish.

More healthy breakfast recipes:

Recipe Video

I hope you enjoy this super easy Vegan Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal! As always, if you try it I would love to hear from you.

Leave a comment and a star rating below to let everyone know how it turned out, and if you share a photo on instagram, be sure to tag me with @myquietkitchen.

Happy baking!