I get a lot of recipe requests and ideas from readers and, although I can’t try them all, I absolutely love hearing them. They’re so inspirational! Not too long ago, Sarah dropped me a line on Facebook asking if I had ever thought about making an oatmeal cookie flavored baked oatmeal. Well, what could be more natural than Oatmeal Cookie flavored Baked Oatmeal?
What’s in Oatmeal Cookie Flavored Baked Oatmeal
So I asked myself, “what makes an oatmeal cookie taste like an oatmeal cookie? What could I add to my generic baked oatmeal recipe to make it less like regular oatmeal and more like an oatmeal cookie?”
Of course it will need a little extra sugar, but I still want my baked oatmeal to be breakfast worthy and not just a large casserole dish full of dessert. So, I used a little extra brown sugar, increased the vanilla and cinnamon, added a pinch of nutmeg, threw in some raisins (obvi), and used up some unsweetened apple sauce that I had left over in my fridge (for added sweetness). Oh yeah! And butter. We’re going for “cookie” here, so I added a lil butter. The result?
It’s like an oatmeal cookie’s older, more healthful sibling. Not quite as rich and sweet as an oatmeal cookie (otherwise it would just be one), but it shares the same genes for sure. And yeah, this Oatmeal Cookie Baked Oatmeal WILL make your house smell like oatmeal cookies while baking!
What is Baked Oatmeal Like?
This tends to be a source of confusion on all past baked oatmeal recipes: the texture of baked oatmeal is not crunchy. It’s soft and moist, yet solid. Baked oatmeal is just oats baked into a custard. So think of it like bread pudding, but made with oats instead of bread.
How to Eat Baked Oatmeal
I love baked oatmeal because it can be served several different ways. It’s great hot right out of the oven, reheated in the microwave, or even cold. Sometimes I eat it as is, sometimes I add cold milk on top. This one is sweet enough for me, but if you want even more sweetness you can add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
Meal Prep It!
Baked oatmeal makes a great breakfast meal prep, or make-ahead breakfast. It will last about 4-5 days in the refrigerator, or can be frozen for long term storage. I suggest dividing the baked oatmeal into single serving containers just after baking, then refrigerating them overnight. Once completely chilled, transfer some to the freezer for later and save a few in the refrigerator for the next few days.
“Oatmeal Cookie” Baked Oatmeal
Servings 6Ingredients
- 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce ($1.00)
- 1 large egg ($0.27)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar ($0.16)
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract ($0.42)
- 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon ($0.15)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ($0.02)
- 3/4 tsp salt ($0.05)
- 1 tsp baking powder ($0.06)
- 2 Tbsp melted butter ($0.20)
- 1.5 cups milk ($0.56)
- 1/2 cup raisins ($0.75)
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats ($0.51)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. In a large bowl, whisk together the apple sauce, egg, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and melted butter. Once whisked smooth, add the milk and whisk until smooth again.
- Add the raisins and dry rolled oats. Stir with a spoon until the mixture is combined. Lightly coat a 9×9 casserole dish (or any 2-3 quart casserole dish) with non-stick spray, then pour the oat mixture into the dish.
- Bake the oatmeal uncovered in the fully preheated oven for 45 minutes. Divide into six portions and serve. Baked oatmeal is good warm or cold and tastes great with cold milk poured over top.
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Nutrition
How to Make Oatmeal Cookie Baked Oatmeal – Step by Step Photos
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract, 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, and 2 Tbsp melted butter.
Whisk those ingredients together until smooth.
Then add 1.5 cups milk and whisk again. It’s easier to add the milk after the thicker ingredients are already combined because it will be really splashy if you try to add the milk first.
Add 1/2 cup raisins and 3 cups of dry old-fashioned rolled oats. I like old-fashioned rolled oats the best because the pieces are large and have a lot of texture. If you use quick oats, there will be less texture variation in your final product.
Switch from a whisk to a spoon and stir the oats and raisins into the wet ingredients.
Lightly coat the inside of a 2-3 quart casserole dish (about 9×9 inches if using a square) with non-stick spray. Pour the oat mixture into the dish.
Bake the oats uncovered in the fully preheated oven for 45 minutes. The oats will absorb the liquid and become tender, but slightly chewy. The outer edges and surface should be ever so slightly browned.
Baked oatmeal tastes just as good cold as it does warm. Sometimes I reheat it in the microwave in the morning, but sometimes I just eat it cold. I love it with some cold milk poured over top.
Baked oatmeal 4 life! (Especially when it’s OATMEAL COOKIE Baked Oatmeal)
This was so delicious! I made it last night and had some this morning. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it cold with some almond milk, but it was like eating a cold, oatmeal raisin cookie. So good! I had a banana on top and it was perfection. Thank you!
What a great recipe for oatmeal. Pinning this to the Healthy Snacks!
I can’t wait to try this when it isn’t 80F in my house at 10pm! This looks delicious!
Would it be possible to replace the rolled oats with steel cut, as that is what I currently have? I’m guessing that increasing the liquid/baking time would be necessary?
It would definitely need more liquid and a longer baking time, but unfortunately I’ve never tested it to know exactly how much. :(
Made this today and it is so good!! I made it for my husband and daughter to eat for breakfast this week.They both love it and are so excited.
I put some walnuts in for an extra crunch (only about 2 TB), and it was a nice addition.
My kids are going to go crazy for this! They love the other baked oatmeal recipes.
I love recipes like this for winter. So my kids, even better! Thanks!
I love seeing a new baked oatmeal recipe (especially since I’ve tried most of them). I’ve been thinking a PB & J version would be awesome.
I agree!! :)
My boys are devouring their new favorite “oatmeal pie” as I write! I put all the dry ingredients in one Tupperware and all the wet in another last night, then this morning I could preheat the oven while I worked out and dump everything in the pan when I was done! Loved it!
Wondering if this could be made in the slow cooker overnight?
It could, but I’m not sure if the liquid would need to be adjusted. I know a lot of people cook oats in the slow cooker, but I don’t have experience doing it myself.
would this be good minus the raisins? my husband is a raisin hater:)
I guess so. A little more boring, but it will taste good. :)
I bet cranberries or chocolate chips would be a good substitute!
Hey Liana. Just tried IT With chocalate chips and almonds. Amazing Breakfast.
This looks yummy. I won a first place ribbon at a county fair for my oatmeal cookies, and the secret ingredient is a small amount of grated orange peel.
Would this work as 6 portions in a muffin tin?
My family has done this with her previous baked oatmeal and they turned out lovely.
Thank you Brittany, I’m going to try it this weekend.
Did you adjust the baking time in muffin tins? I’m thinking that will be the best form factor for me.
Just made the recipe in a jumbo muffin tin (6 muffins) and it turned out great! Baking time was about 30 minutes.
Yes, but the baking time will likely be shorter since there is more surface area. :)
I can’t wait to try oatmeal that tastes like cookies!! :-)
Thank you for this recipe! Oatmeal cookies are my favorite cookies and I am going to love having this for breakfast.