I firmly believe in having a nutritious breakfast in the morning to start the day. Not only did my mother brainwash me, I mean teach me that it was best to always eat a good meal, but I remember having my teachers at school tell me the same thing. Even though I sleep all night, when I awake in the morning I’m hungry and half asleep, so I need something to energize me.
I don’t really feel like cooking a big meal in the morning and I don’t want to get up extra early to cook an extravagant breakfast before going to work either. My Healthy & Moist Baked Apple Blueberry Oatmeal recipe is the answer to my grumbling stomach. Not only is this oatmeal healthy and delicious, but I can make it the night before, cut it into one serving portions and put them in the freezer. Then I have a great breakfast ready to warm up for many, many days and all I had to do was cook one time!
Usually the problem with baked oatmeal is that it is dry, but this recipe is extremely moist! The maximum amount of liquid has been added to ensure that the oatmeal is fluffy and the fruits are plump. I really love oatmeal prepared this way and always look forward to breakfast.
This is a very simple recipe that you will find is easy to cook and very delicious.
So we start by whisking together eggs, milk, half and half…
applesauce (I used my homemade applesauce – yummy) and…
vanilla extract until…
very bubbly. I love all the bubbles! By the time I finish whisking, there seems to be a million tiny little bubbles. When I stop the mixer, they start popping. It is a sweet sound.
Yes, I’m still quite young at heart.
Mix together cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg and cloves. Of course, if you spill them on the counter, use a very sharp knife to scoop up the mess because you need to add it all to get the maximum flavor.
Add the spices to the oats and mix well.
Add apples, walnuts, blueberries, raisins and mix well. If using an electric mixer, combine on low so that you do not cause the fruit to break up. After taking all the time to cut the apples into nice cubes, it would be a shame to mess them all up by turning them into mush.
Pour mixture into the buttered dish and let sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the oats to absorb some of the liquid.
I always set the baking dish on a cookie sheet.
If you are not using the topping, bake for 55-60 minutes. The topping is not necessary to add sweetness to the dish. The fruit adds plenty of natural sweetness.
If using the topping, bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add the measured topping ingredients.
Now mix the topping ingredients with a fork. Remove dish from the oven and sprinkle the topping over the oatmeal. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 more minutes. This is going to give you a crispier crunch on top.
Remove from oven and cool for 20 minutes before serving.
You can add whipping cream, drizzle with honey, add a couple tablespoons of apple sauce or milk. If you are having this as a dessert, you can even put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
I love that this oatmeal is moist and light.
The oatmeal is healthy for you and it will stick with you until lunch.
The oatmeal is so satisfying that you will not have any mid-morning cravings for a snack.
Even if you are eating it like a dessert with tons of whipped cream and/or ice cream, you will still get full and lose the craving for more sweets. Honestly, if I can say that, you MUST know it is true!
By the way, I use Braeburn apples more than any other when baking this Apple Blueberry Oatmeal recipe because they have the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Since there are also sweet golden raisins, the tartness of the apple balances it out perfectly.
I never tire of this oatmeal for breakfast
My favorite way of eating it is with a little applesauce added on top and mixed into the oatmeal after it has been heated.
I love that I can freeze it in portion sizes and just pop one in the refrigerator the night before and then heat it in the morning. Most of all, it is a very healthy breakfast that satisfies until lunch and is packed with delicious flavors.
Here….
Take a bite.
It was good wasn’t it?
I told you it was delicious!
Yes, you can come over now. I have plenty to share with you.
Dang! I hear the doorbell ringing already. How did you get here so fast?!!!
Healthy & Moist Baked Apple Blueberry Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients:
4 eggs, room temperature
5 cups milk
1 cup half and half
1 cup applesauce, (homemade is so much better)
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon if using topping or 4 if not using topping
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 pinches ground cloves
5 cups quick oats
3 apples, chopped, (Braeburn apples are sweet/tart – perfect combination)
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/3 cup blueberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Liberally butter a 9×13 baking dish.
Whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, applesauce and vanilla extract until very bubbly.
Add cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves and oats. Mix well. Add apples, walnuts, blueberries, raisins and mix well. If using an electric mixer, combine on low so that you do not cause the fruit to break up.
Pour mixture into the buttered dish and let sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the oats to absorb some of the liquid.
If not using topping, bake for 55-60 minutes.
If using topping, bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients (brown sugar and cinnamon) with a fork. Remove dish from oven and sprinkle the topping over the oatmeal. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 more minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 20 minutes before serving.
Add whipping cream and drizzle with honey, a couple tablespoons of apple sauce or milk. .
Serves: 12-15 depending on portion size
