I’ve been getting a little bored with my usual eggs for breakfast so I decided to switch things up in a seasonal way with this Spiced Apple Baked Oatmeal!
This is a great recipe you can make on the weekend, or make ahead and then serve up for quick and easy breakfasts during the week.
A note about oats: while oats are naturally gluten free, because of processing and manufacturing practices, most oats will have some kind of cross-contamination with gluten by being made on the same lines as other products containing gluten, nuts, etc. and other potential allergens. SO if you have celiac, listen up – you need to get *certified* gluten-free oats in order to make 100% certain that you won’t have a cross-contamination reaction. The ones I usually get are from Bob’s Red Mill, or if you want to get ones that are easier to digest (good for finnicky digestive systems!) – try the ones from Farmers We Know, which are sprouted, organic, certified gluten-free oats. Sounds fancy, I know! But you can actually get these at costco in a massive bag for really cheap. For the win!
Oats are one of those things that a lot of people seem to have *issues* with in the relationship with food realm. Because on the one hand, you’ll hear:
- oats are so great for fiber and to help with digestion!
- oats will help keep you full and are a great, easy-to-digest breakfast for athletes!
- breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
And on the other hand, with all the recent trendy diets out there, your inner voice starts to say…
- OMG wait, oats have too many carbs. I can’t eat those. If I eat carbs, I’ll gain weight.
- I can’t eat breakfast, I’m supposed to be intermittent fasting…right?!
- Eating oats in the morning might spike my blood sugar and then OMG i’ll have cravings for the rest of the day!
Or maybe you ate plain, unflavored (bleh) oatmeal as a part of your old dieting routine and you’re not sure about going back to eating them because it feels like you’re on a diet again.
Who knew a single food could be so complicated? And this is just one example – so many people have a very similar struggle with many different kinds of foods. The trick is to learn how to tune out the external noise (old diet rules!) so we can start listening to the internal cues of what actually feels good in our own bodies – and no weight loss diet plan can figure that out for you.
So if you’re interested in trying out oats again, in a totally delicious way – which DO pack a great fiber punch, can help with digestion, blood sugar management, hormone balance, cholesterol management, and so many other great things – try out this Spiced Apple Baked Oatmeal and let me know what you think!
- 2 medium apples, diced
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 2 cups GF oats
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 cups milk (your choice - almond milk is delicious here!)
- ¼c maple syrup
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- chopped walnuts
- apple butter
- peanut or sunflower seed butter
- yogurt
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet with 1 Tbsp butter on medium heat. Once hot, add the diced apples. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add ¼ cup water, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and continue cooking until the apples are soft and the water has cooked out (about 5 more minutes). Once the apples are done, pour them into the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, remaining spices, baking powder, and sea salt, and mix until combined. Pour these evenly over the apples.
- In the same bowl, stir together the milk, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla. Pour these on top of the dry ingredients and apples - make sure everything is distributed evenly. You may need to add a little more liquid if it does not reach the top of the oats.
- Bake, uncovered, for about 40-45 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Top with whatever you like (suggestions above!) and serve warm. You can also store this for 3-4 days in the refrigerator for quick and easy breakfasts!
You’ll love these fall recipes too!
Fall Harvest Pasta with Sausage and Apples
Paleo Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins with Chocolate Chips
Fall Harvest Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Smoky Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
