Ingredients:
For the Oatmeal Bake:
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- 1 cup oatmeal (rolled oats work best)
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- 150 ml warm milk (dairy or non-dairy milk)
- 2 apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- 20g butter (melted)
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- Vanillin (1 packet or a pinch)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
- 50g nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans, chopped)
- Honey (to taste, for drizzling or sweetening)
Steps to Make the Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (360°F). This ensures that the oven is hot and ready to bake the oatmeal evenly.
2. Prepare the Apples:
Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces. You can choose any variety of apples you prefer, but tart apples like Granny Smith or slightly sweet varieties like Honeycrisp work wonderfully in this recipe. Set the apples aside.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth. Add the vanillin and cinnamon to the mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
4. Prepare the Oats:
Add the oatmeal to the wet mixture, ensuring that all of the oats are well coated. Let the oats soak in the mixture for a few minutes, allowing them to soften and absorb some of the liquid. The oats should be slightly softened but not mushy.
5. Add the Apples:
Gently fold in the diced apples, ensuring that the apples are evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture.
6. Assemble the Oatmeal Bake:
Grease a baking dish with a little butter or oil (a 9×9-inch dish works perfectly for this recipe). Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top, adding a nice crunch to the bake.
7. Bake:
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The oatmeal should be golden brown on top, with the edges slightly crisp and the center set. You can test the doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Serve:
Remove the oatmeal bake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice it into squares or serve it as a warm, comforting dish. Drizzle with honey for added sweetness, or serve with a dollop of yogurt for extra creaminess.