High-Fiber Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats

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This cranberry-apple baked oatmeal is the perfect fall breakfast to cozy up to. Combining the comforting warmth of baked oats with the seasonal sweetness of apples and the tartness of cranberries, this dish is a delicious and nourishing way to start the day. Oats and apples are packed with fiber, promoting a healthy gut and keeping you fuller longer. We like naturally sweet, firm apples like Honeycrisp and Fuji. If you prefer something a little more tart, swap one out for a Granny Smith.

an image of the Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
8
  • This dish combines oats and apples for a high-fiber breakfast that promotes a healthy gut.  
  • Antioxidant-rich cranberries can help reduce inflammation and prevent urinary tract infections.
  • Grated apple adds moisture and flavor, improving texture and binding the oatmeal mixture.  

Fresh out of the oven, these Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats give off an irresistible aroma of cinnamon that just screams comfort. The apples and oats team up for a high-fiber baked breakfast that is filling and will keep you energized all morning. The subtle sweetness of this baked oatmeal is deliciously balanced by the tart and juicy burst of antioxidant-rich cranberries and a hint of vanilla. Keep reading for expert tips on which apples work the best in this recipe and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Grating the apple adds flavor and extra moisture, and it helps the mixture bind together even better.
  • We prefer firm, sweet apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp to balance out the tart cranberries, but feel free to use your favorite apples. A Granny Smith might work for you if you enjoy a super-tart flavor.
  • Serve with toasted chopped walnuts or pecans, or a dollop of vanilla strained Greek-style yogurt.

Nutrition Notes

  • It’s no secret that apples are known for their fiber content—both in the skin and the flesh. The type of fiber in the flesh of the apple is called pectin, which is considered a prebiotic: the food for your gut bacteria. An apple a day is great for your gut. 
  • All types of oats contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, providing heart-health benefits.
  • Cranberries are packed with antioxidants that can help to lower inflammation in your body. They also contain compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder, which can help prevent urinary tract infections—a huge health benefit of cranberries.
an image of the ingredients to make Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 large Fuji or Honeycrisp apples

  • cups old-fashioned rolled oats

  • cups whole milk

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • cup packed light brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

  • 3 tablespoons orange juice

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups frozen cranberries

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate 1 apple to yield about ¾ cup packed. Set aside. Cut the remaining apple into ½-inch cubes to yield about 1 cup.

    an image of the diced and shredded apples

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  3. Combine 2½ cups oats, 1½ cups milk, 2 eggs, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl; stir until thoroughly combined. Fold in 2 cups cranberries and the grated apple. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the chopped apple.

    an image of the oats being mixed in with the cranberries and apples

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  4. Bake until golden brown and set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

    an image of the baked oats being served

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store leftover Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats?

    You can store individual slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you’d like to store them for longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator before heating in the microwave on High for about 1 minute, or until warm.

  • Do I have to use old-fashioned rolled oats?

    We highly recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats because they absorb moisture well and result in a firmer consistency. This makes them ideal for recipes like this one, where you’ll slice the baked oats into individual portions. Rolled oats are also a great choice for cookies and muffins.

  • Should I eat Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats warm or cold?

    This recipe is delicious served warm or cold. If you prefer them warm, place them in your toaster oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or microwave them for about 1 minute. To add moisture, you can add a little milk or a plant-based alternative.

EatingWell.com, November 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

230 Calories
5g Fat
40g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 piece
Calories 230
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 40g 15%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 19g
Added Sugars 7g 14%
Protein 7g 13%
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Vitamin A 44µg
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 1mg 5%
Folate 21µg
Vitamin K 3µg
Sodium 169mg 7%
Calcium 124mg 10%
Iron 2mg 9%
Magnesium 48mg 11%
Potassium 283mg 6%
Zinc 1mg 12%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.