apple pie baked oatmeal
Looking for an easy morning dish? Then this is it! You can even prep it the night before so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the fridge. Feel free to experiment with different types of milk and sugars. I have made this with regular and almond milk; both taste delicious. This dish is packed with fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C. Apples also contain a compound known as quercetin which helps fight inflammation and is a source of the prebiotic pectin which helps keep our gut microbiome happy and healthy. This recipe comes from Oh She Glows by Angela Liddon.
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
2 tbsp unpacked brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger,
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp sea salt, fine
2 cups almond milk, unsweetened (or regular milk)
1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract, pure
2 medium apple (peeled, diced)
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped, optional)
Creating the Magic!
Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 2-quart (around 2 to 2.5 liters) casserole dish.
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.
Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir until combined. The mixture will have a soupy consistency.
Fold in the chopped apples.
Spoon the oatmeal mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth out the top. Sprinkle the walnuts (if using) on top and gently press them down into the oatmeal with your hands.
Bake, uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the oatmeal is bubbly around the corners and the apples are fork-tender.
Cool the oatmeal for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with some almond milk and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
Note: This can be prepped the night before. Simply put all the ingredients into your dish, cover and pop it in the fridge. In the morning, preheat the oven and let the oatmeal sit on the counter while the oven gets hot to bring it to room temperature. Uncover and stir the oatmeal mixture gently to redistribute the milk. Smooth out the top as needed and bake as directed.