Some people love cold weather.
Unfortunately, I am not one of these people.
Every winter when I walk outside and the bitter cold slams into my face, I silently vow to relocate to a warm and tropical location… as soon as is humanly possible.
Somehow I ended up in Washington, D.C.
Not really sure what happened there. 😕
Seeing as there are currently 4 inches of snow outside my window, in the exact spot where I ought to be seeing ocean waves and palm trees, I’ve been forced to find alternative methods of staying warm. Alternative methods: such as heating up the oven to make this apple pie baked oatmeal.
Who needs the beach anyway?
(Okay wait, I take that back…)
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
Category: Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
- 2/3 cup milk of choice (160g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (2g)
- 3 tbsp ground flaxmeal (or ground chia) (18g)
- 3 1/2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil (35g) (You can omit if desired without altering the texture. it just won’t be as rich and buttery.)
- 1/16 tsp uncut stevia, or 2 tbsp sugar of choice (this goes in with wet ingredients)
- 2 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apple slices (about 2 large apples)
- 1 cup rolled oats (85g)
- 3-6 tbsp brown sugar or or coconut sugar or xylitol, depending on desired sweetness (3 is slightly sweet) (this goes in with dry ingredients) (30-60g)
- 1/2 cup raisins, optional
- 1 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup more milk of choice (120g)
Preheat the oven to 375 F and lightly grease an 8-in square baking pan. Combine the first five ingredients in a mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together all remaining ingredients except the last 1/2 cup milk of choice. After letting the liquid ingredients sit for at least 5 minutes, pour into the prepared baking pan. Then pour the bowl of dry ingredients over top and stir. Finally, pour the remaining 1/2 cup milk over everything. Bake 35 minutes. Broil an additional minute if desired. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting into slices. Serves 4-6.
Click for: Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Nutrition Facts
Link of the Day:
Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
I say I love cold weather but I think it’s because I don’t live in it! In Florida the coldest we ever see is in the 30’s usually and I can only handle that for about 2 days.
Love this recipe! I eat oatmeal for breakfast daily and can’t remember the last time I’ve gone a day without an apple. Surprisingly I’ve never combined the two!
Lydia says
Katie, you just saved my life! I’m also getting snow and it’s terrible! (So to answer your question, no, I am not a winter person hahaha). Oatmeal is my go to breakfast to warm up, and I eat an apple every day, so this is a win win. Thank you!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Love snow (so pretty) but hate this weather. Good thing I live in Chicago…
Jess @ The Baguette Diet says
I’m with you…I have ZERO tolerance for cold! Sometimes I really think I need to move to a place where it never gets below 60 degrees, as I’m cold pretty much 100% of the time in Paris.
I eat a lot of oatmeal, but it gets a little boring after a while. Can’t wait to try this recipe to change things up 🙂
Kimberły says
Somehow I missed that you’re in DC now… Welcome to the land of endless snow days!!
Jill C. says
Haha. Reading blogs of people who live hundreds of miles south of me makes me laugh (otherwise I’d cry, lol). Out my window there are 4 FEET of snow and we have been shattering records for low temps. We have had 55+ days this winter where the daytime high temp didn’t get above 0*F…and a record 78 days IN A ROW with high temps below 32*F. 2 days barely stopped that trend before plunging us back below 0*.
So, how’s D.C. now? 😉
Chocolate Covered Katie says
When you put it that way… yes DC is starting to sound quite tropical indeed.
*vaguely makes out the shape of a pineapple in the distance*
Katherine says
How do you cope with the cold? I live10 hours north of Katie and I can’t survive without my CuddleDuds under my jeans and it is “only” 5 degrees outside.
Jill C. says
Exorbitant heat bills, haha. Really, I think our bodies just adjust to it. I live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula just 5 miles from Lake Superior’s southern shore. We all have quality outdoor gear and live in sweaters/sweatshirts…and drink a lot of hot beverages.
Kim @ FITsique says
Oh these would be great to take to work with me. It’s a lot easier to eat a bar during work than a bowl of chicken, rice, and veggies, but its always to tough finding a good quality bar. I always try make my own, and these would be a great recipe to add to my collection. Stay safe and warm!
Hollie says
I’ve been looking for a bar recipe for ages! Thank you for sharing these. I lived and went to college in Upstate NY and when I was accustomed to the winter it wasn’t too bad. This year living in NJ it is just awful. I’m honestly ready for the warmth.
Michelle says
These sound delicious! I love apple desserts.
I wanted to let you know that you’re missing a parentheses here: (this goes in with wet ingredients
I hate when that happens!
Michelle says
I just realized this may have sounded rude. I meant that it happens to me all the time and I always seem to miss the error… Not that I hate when others do it. I totally understand when others do it, in fact.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Thanks! Fixed 🙂
sarah says
this looks yummy! i’ve made some of your baked oatmeal recipes… but curious as to why this one seems to be mixed less (i.e., you pour the liquid ingredients into pan, then the dry, it doesn’t say to stir it… and then you pour water on top). does this produce a different consistency than your boatmeals?
just curious as i love experimenting too! and you seem to understand the chemistry/physics of baking things really well! can’t wait to try this 🙂
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Sorry, you do mix. I think the directions were poorly written on my part, and I went back and hopefully made it more clear.
Monica Grose says
You probably know Dallas hasn’t been much better than DC since you left. I’m taking a trip this week. Would these bars travel well (without the frosting)?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Yes, but I’d fridge after arriving.
John Gregg says
Gonna make these tonight with my daughter. They look/sound delicious.
Sally says
Hey Katie,
I’m heading to DC in a couple weeks for training. Any good vegetarian restaurant recommendations?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I haven’t gotten to any fully-vegetarian restaurants yet. But I can tell you that DC has some great Ethiopian and Indian options! 🙂
Ayaka says
You need to try Great Sage (although it is quite far…). This restaurant is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE 😀
EVA says
I have to dwindle down the museum of Larabars and Kind bars in my cabinets first, THEN these shall face the wrath of my hands.
Question: Any way to cut down the sugar on these? Like omitting the 3 tbsp sugar of choice? Trust me, I’d like ’em plain!
Being from Wisconsin, I SHOULD be used to the worst of the arctic wilderness. Unfortunately due to my constantly-cold self, this is not the case. I’m in school in Chicago now so life is 10 degrees warmer and 2 feet of less snow, but I’m ready for spring. Despite the humidity, it’s just so refreshing to be able to walk outside voluntarily for once.
Natalee says
Is the nutritional information for 4 or 6 servings?
Michelle says
I’d assume 6. She always bases it on the larger number of suggested servings.
Natalee says
Thanks. I assumed that was the case, but I was holding out hope 😉
Melissa says
I think this may be your first winter in the DC area. I also live in the area, and this winter has been HORRIBLE. It’s not usually this cold for so long, so don’t give up on it! Last year, I first saw my tulips coming up on February 18. It’s March 3 this year, and no sign of them yet! That’s how weirdly cold it’s been. When you get to see the cherry blossoms, it will all be OK.
Emilylovesraisins says
I really do hate being cold, but the same goes for being hot! I LIVE FOR the in-between seasons (spring and fall) but I do understand your sister’s point about winter being the chance to be fashionable. You can’t wear boots and scarves in the summer.
janae @ bring joy says
Love the cold if there is snow involved. Otherwise, I’d rather be in spring, summer, or fall thank ya very much 😉
Alanna says
Same here! I hate being cold, but I love snow and snowboarding (and I have really good layers for the latter) so this winter has been great for me! I’ll take this over most winters where we get cold rain or sleet and ice (yuck).
These bars sound delicious! Must buy apples.
Sarah says
Thanks for this recipe! Did you include raisins, ie does the nutrition info include them?
Btw: It’s spring in Germany :)! Though I like snow…
Michelle @ Esculent Dreams says
How did I miss the fact that you’re in DC?? Hope you’re enjoying our routine rounds of snowstorm and sunny weather. =) I personally have started to hate winter for this very reason.
Katherine says
Ik. I thought she was still in texas
Avra-Sha Faohla says
Is the flax there for flavor or texture? I don’t have flax or chia; should I just leave it out, or do I need a sub, like an egg or something?
Alanna says
Usually it’s an egg substitute to bind everything together, so if you don’t have chia or flax you’ll probably need egg. Good luck if you try it!
Avra-Sha Faohla says
Thanks. But usually Katie says to make it into a fake “egg” and she doesn’t say to do that here, so I am wondering if perhaps it is different here.
Alanna says
Maybe you don’t have to do that here since the flaxseed (or chia) is supposed to sit with the milk and oil for 5 min. before continuing? Just guessing.
Connie Trowbridge says
I like the winter and the wonderland it turns the world into…for the first 2 months. Then, not so much. I try not to complain (too much) about it since I have dealt with winters for all of my life and I feel like I should be used to it by now, and I am choosing to live in this area…buttttt……I still dislike the winter after the first 2 months haha. However, your winter recipes does make things more tolerable =)
Christine says
I was wondering if I could sub applesauce for the oil in equal parts?
olivia says
You should be able to 🙂
Steph says
I detest the cold, mainly because I hate getting teased for my blue lips and fingernails( if it’s cold I feel it!)- Summer and Spring are my favourite things!
Yum, those oatmeal bars look so good- the icing looks like the snow that could be outside your window! 🙂
Chadae says
I do not like extreme weather at all. Extreme cold screw that. Extreme hot? Even worse! I grew up in the mountains so I’m used to cold. And I just moved from Georgia, where I never got used to the humidity.
I just like anywhere between 50-83 yes….mild weather
These bars look delish….so going to make them!!
Kate @Almond Butter Binge says
It’s like you read my mind and knew I was looking for a good breakfast bar recipe 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing! This post is worth reading for the link to that frosting alone.
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
I loooove cold weather!! But, I do live in Alaska… 😉 I love breakfast bars, and these look great!
kristyn says
are these soft or crunchy?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Soft
Eric Jaffa says
Most people can’t move because of their jobs.
You’re fortunate to have a job which lets you live anywhere. If you want a city which doesn’t get snow, there are lots of choices.
Asia says
Hi Katie. I made this today but it came out more like One of your baked oatmeals. It was delicious eaten with yogurt, however, I am confused how you got bars and I got more of an apple crisp result. When you say to chop the apples, do you mean like in a food processor? I did about 1/2 inch cubes. Also, since I didn’t mix the layers as instructed I ended up getting a thick milk/Chia layer on the bottom and everything else baked on top. At the end I just mixed it all together and it was fine. I hope you can figure out where I went wrong.
Again, a delicious result but a very different one!
Thanks 🙂
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Oh no, I’m so sorry :(. In terms of the mixing, I think that was poorly stated on my part. I fixed the directions to hopefully be more clear. For the apple, I chopped it very small but not pureed. So you were not able to make bars? Was yours cut-able? (Not sure if that is a word, but it is one now!)
Asia says
No, it made more like a baked oatmeal/apple crisp casserole, where you just kind of scoop out a serving. It is seriously good and I wasn’t disappointed with the result. In fact, I will probably continue to make the recipe the way I did because it makes an excellent breakfast casserole. But to get bars I definitely would have had to pulse the apples in my food processor, mix instead of layer the ingredients, and compact everything really tight.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I finally know what I did.
And I feel awful. I accidentally mixed up two recipes I’d created, posting the photos for one and the recipe to another! I don’t even know how that happened, except that my system of writing recipes on little slips of paper scraps obviously is not a good method of organization. I cannot apologize enough to you and to everyone else who made this recipe expecting one thing and getting another (hopefully just as delicious) recipe entirely. Currently scrambling to fix this error ASAP, and I will also give everyone a heads-up tomorrow. This was so incredibly dumb on my part, and I feel awful…
Asia says
Lol! I’m laughing with (not at) you. I hope you laughed about it! I have been thoroughly enjoying the recipe since I made it and the new pictures you posted look just like what I made! Don’t feel bad. I look forward to the recipe this was scrambled with 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
These look dee-lish! Apples, Oats and Cinnamon are only the best combo ever 😀 I love winter but only for a limited time (until after New Year’s) and then I am ready for warmer weather again 😀
Audrey says
sounds yummy! But what could I substitute ground flaxmeal (or ground chia) for? I don’t have any and haven’t seen any in my town!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I don’t know because I have not tried anything else… But have you looked at a store like WalMart or Target in the baking section? Even those stores often carry flaxmeal. Otherwise, there is always online shopping :).
Natalie says
If you’re not vegan just use an egg and reduce the liquid a little bit.
Audrey says
Thanks! I moved to France and cannot find flaxmeal or chia anywhere! I will try with an egg!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Firstly, these look at sound delicious…they also seem so light and healthy…and I’m all into clean eating right now! I’ve been eating these; https://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/healthy-coconut-carob-puffed-rice-bars/ or these; https://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/lemon-coconut-energy-bars/ for breakfast lately…a little on the hearty side but I need to get my sweet fix asap in the morning!
Debra @ Worth Cooking says
Every time I see that frosting it makes me wish we could have soy!
Jessica says
I used to love the cold until I lost weight. Now I have no insulation and even the Florida winter is barely tolerable. Worse, my job is outside!
Alessia says
looks great! mmmm
Taylee @ twist me fit says
I like having all 4 seasons, but I usually get tired of the winter after a while!
olivia ferrucci says
I have made a ton of your single serving baked oatmeals, and they always turn out amazing! I was wondering how I should adjust the recipe to make it one serving. Would it go in a ramekin?
By the way, you should check out Nando’s. When I went to DC, it was my favorite restaurant! 🙂
Kim @FITsique says
I love baked oatmeal and anything with apples! The little heart is a nice touch 🙂 Can’t wait to try this out over the weekend!
Annie @ Natural Sweet Recipes says
Did you change the picture to this recipe? I never commented when I saw this recipe yesterday but I wanted to comment. I could have sworn there were different pictures? Well anyway, this looks delicious and I am really excited to try this for my husband. He is obsessed with apple pie/apple crisp desserts so I am always looking for new and exciting ways to feed his addiction! 🙂 Also, I grew up in DC and know exactly what you mean about the cold. I was there again this January and it was seriously a record low. I’m so sorry! Don’t give up hope- not every winter is so harsh!
Emilylovesraisins says
Yeah, i just got really confused about that. The pictures/title said apple pie BARS, not baked oatmeal! Oh well, both is fine 😉
Lee says
I enjoyed the flavor, but this did not turn out to be “cuttable” like a bar. I think this is the same recipe as your apple pie baked oatmeal. Did I do something wrong?
Michelle says
From Katie’s latest post:
I owe you all an apology.
Somehow, in my previous recipe for Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal, I managed to mix up two recipes, posting the photos for one and the recipe to another. I’d originally created and photographed both over six months ago, and somehow I got confused as to which one was which… As soon as readers started writing in, saying the recipe they made “tasted delicious, but was not in bar form” I immediately remade the posted recipe and realized my mistake. If you made the recipe expecting a bar, hopefully you still enjoyed the recipe that turned out! I have fixed the post on the blog, and again: Please accept my apologies and know how awful I feel. I promise to be more organized in the future.
Jeannie says
I made this recipe when you first listed it as a breakfast bar a few days ago, but I have to say – I think I much preferred the sweet, gooey, apple crumble result! I would still love to see your apple pie bar recipe at some point, but this was fantastic. I didn’t add much sugar, but it grew sweeter the longer it sat in the fridge. And when sliced into bars, it was still a nice, portable breakfast. Boyfriend approved, he has taken them to work for the last few days already. Thank you for always helping me grow my recipe list!
Stephanie says
I originally bookmarked this link for the apple oatmeal breakfast bars but it seems to have changed. Now I can’t find it on your site. Help?! I really had my heart set on trying it.
Laura Hickman says
This looks so great. Wednesday is my oatmeal day and I can’t wait to try this!
Bonnie Dunne says
I’ve only tried a couple of your healthy dessert recipes….BUT I am sold already!! THANK YOU!
Amy says
As my youngest is now 6 months old, I decided it is finally time to drop the baby weight! Looking for nutritious, low-cal recipes, I stumbled upon your site and I absolutely love it! This is the first of your recipes that I’ve tried, and it was absolutely delicious. Like, “My Husband Wants to Make it Christmas Morning” delicious! I love how open your recipes are to variation and although this is the first recipe we’ve tried, it certainly won’t be the last!
itsjustkate says
this looks so delicious. You’re so inspirational to me. You helped me decided that i wanted to start a blog too. Thank you. xo
http://itsjustkatee.blogspot.co.uk
Tara says
I’m with you Katie on the winter bit, but I also hate the summer! Living in Maryland, Spring doesn’t exist and the weather just jumps from winter to summer… my favorite season is fall! Thanks for this recipe!
Nikki says
Love this recipe! I made it this morning for my family, and the whole thing was gone within the hour. 😉
Instead of the 1/2 cup of raisins, (can’t stand raisins…) I subbed 1/2 cup of blueberries. It was really good! Thanks again for this recipe! <3
Michelle says
This is a great twist to oatmeal! Love it. Thanks for all of the delicious ideas!
Lori Ann says
Katie, do you think this could sit, mixed together, in fridge overnight, then bake in the morning?
Unofficial CCK Helper says
You could always try!
Robin says
I made this today, and it is absolutely delicious! My kids loved it too! We topped with a little bit of walnuts. It’s almost like a bowl of apple crisp!
shannon Robinson says
Just curious if you can replace the brown sugar with agava syrup or honey?
karyn todd says
I love your recipes and so do my co-workers!
Karyn Todd says
I can’t wait to make this again. Have you ever added vegan protein powder to it? Tastes like bread pudding to me!! loved it!
Pongodhall@yahoo.ie says
Lovely oatmeal cake. It just so happens I have cooked up,leftover fruit, oranges, plums, pears and apples (I am a mixer!) and this is a recipe I could do two bug cakes. I thought one with cinnamon and one with ginger. I love to use up the last of my fruits, have bags of this and that in freezer for just a quick raid and for sneaking into rice or cake for the sweet tooth brigade. I love mine with some good home made Greek yoghurt and sorinkle nuts/seeds. What Do you think? I adapt many recipes immediately to suit rural life (ie miles out) and properly old fashioned parsimonious type cannot bear to see GOod food wasted if imagination can rise to challenge. (Yes, odd things happening with Apple update again)
Sylvia says
Save glass peanut butter jars and fill five at a time with the following;
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 Tbs flax
“. Chia
” Protein powder
” Truvia sweetened cocoa
“. Almonds
In the.morning uncover jar, add almond milk and micro one minute
“.
Adrienne says
I love this recipe. My husband says it’s the best oatmeal ever!
Question– on an iPhone or Kindle fire tablet I can’t find a search box within your site. Am I missing something? It’s difficult to find a specific recipe. Thanks!
Ps my mom & I each have your cookbook- it’s great ?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Hi! Sorry for the delayed reply… there should now be a search bar on iphones if you click the pink three lines at the top. Let me know if that works for you!! 🙂
Sena says
I wasn’t sure if I could freeze this recipe so could someone tell me if I can or can’t?
Phil & Pam says
This again is a winner Katie! We just subbed out the oil with apple sauce because we are Whole-Food Plant-Based. This recipe is a great weekend breakfast. Thanks so much.
Jami says
Hey any idea of subbing something for the flax/chia seeds? Maybe butter? I do not have any on hand and would rather not have to pick some up just for this.
Thanks, I absolutely love your recipes!
Diana says
I made this for breakfast this morning, and it was super tasty! I used 2 T of Delecta (basically Splenda) with the liquid ingredients, and I added 3 T packed brown sugar and 4 Truvia packets to the dry ingredients. I topped my oatmeal off with a scoop of Low-Cow vanilla ice cream. Delicious!
Sonya says
I’ve made this many times and it is so delicious. I crave it and can’t eat Justine serving! 🙂
Sonya says
Justine = just one ?
Jason Sanford says
?