Description
A thick, chewy, and comforting baked oatmeal with a crispy caramelized top. This easy weeknight breakfast is meal-prep friendly, customizable, and provides sustained energy without the morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups milk (whole, almond, oat, or soy)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: 1 medium chopped apple
- Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir with a spatula until oats are fully coated.
- If using add-ins like nuts or fruit, fold them in now.
- Let the mixture sit in the bowl for 5-10 minutes to allow oats to absorb liquid (optional but recommended).
- Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes to allow it to set.
- Slice into squares and serve warm.
Notes
Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick or steel-cut oats, for the best texture. Letting the oatmeal rest for 10 minutes after baking is crucial for clean slicing. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
Keywords: baked oatmeal, brown sugar cinnamon, breakfast recipe, meal prep, easy breakfast, healthy oats, weeknight dinner, make ahead breakfast