Description

These baked apple cinnamon oatmeal cups are a make-ahead breakfast solution that is backpack-friendly, fiber-rich, and customizable. They hold their shape in lunchboxes and offer a cozy autumn flavor perfect for busy school mornings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 medium Granny Smith apples (grated)
1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Optional: 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Optional: 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment liners or grease well.
Wash, core, and grate the apples using a box grater or food processor. Squeeze out excess liquid if the apples are very juicy.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add the grated apples, rolled oats, cinnamon, and any optional add-ins to the wet mixture. Stir to combine.
Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the oats to absorb the liquid.
Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing down slightly to pack them in.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.

Notes

Do not use instant or steel-cut oats; old-fashioned rolled oats are required for the correct texture. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before baking to hydrate the oats. Ensure cups cool completely before handling to prevent crumbling. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 145
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 15
Fat: 3
Saturated Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 26
Fiber: 3
Protein: 4

Keywords: oatmeal cups, baked oatmeal, breakfast muffins, make-ahead breakfast, school lunch, healthy breakfast, apple cinnamon, gluten-free option