Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned (rolled) oats
- 1 1/2 cups milk (dairy or almond milk)
- 1 large apple, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch (or similar) baking dish.
- For a vegan version, mix 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal with 5 tablespoons water and let sit to thicken to replace eggs.
- If using nuts, toast 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans briefly in a dry skillet until fragrant; set aside.
- Dice 1 large apple into evenly sized pieces, leaving the skin on if desired.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs (or flax mixture), 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey), and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
- In a larger bowl, stir together 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir in toasted nuts if using.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry oat mixture; stir gently until combined, folding in the diced apples, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Adjust batter consistency: add a splash more milk if too thick or stir in 1–2 tablespoons extra oats if too wet.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spread evenly, and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is light golden and the center feels set; test doneness with a toothpick (it should come out mostly clean).
- Optionally, broil the top for 1–2 minutes to crisp, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let bake cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Stick with rolled oats for best texture; quick oats make a softer, porridge-like bake., Cut apples evenly for consistent cooking; leaving skin on adds fiber and color., Avoid overmixing to prevent soggy texture; bake until center is fully set., Toast nuts before adding for extra crunch and flavor., Broil briefly at the end for a crispier top if desired, but watch carefully to avoid burning., Make ahead by baking the night before; reheat slices in microwave (30-60 seconds) or oven (300°F for ~10 mins)., Customizable with different fruits (pears, berries, banana), milk types, sweeteners, nuts, seeds, protein powder, and spices like ginger or cardamom., Vegan option uses flax eggs and plant-based milk., Store leftovers airtight in fridge up to 5 days or freeze individual slices up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approximately 220 kcal per serving (varies with optional nuts and swaps)
- Fat: 5 g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 35 g per serving
- Protein: 7 g per serving