• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Simple Green

seasonal plant-based recipes

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Portfolio
  • Index
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Index
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Press
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Index
    • About
    • Shop
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Vegan Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal [gluten-free]

    An easy and comforting breakfast, this vegan apple spice baked oatmeal is made from basic pantry ingredients and amazing Cosmic Crisp Washington state apples. This healthy baked oatmeal recipe is also gluten-free, yet decadent with notes of caramel and warming spices.

    This post is sponsored by Cosmic Crisp® Washington state apples however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe

    an overhead flatlay of baked oatmeal in a cast iron pan with a wooden spoon on the left and a milk jug and dishes in the upper right corner.
    an overhead flatlay of 6 apples in a white bowl with a paring knife on the right and brown leaves.

    A versatile cozy breakfast

    I love making breakfast on the weekend- there is no rush to get out the door for school or work, and time tends to tick a little slower. Baked oatmeal is a wonderful way to savor a slow morning. This recipe comes together quickly, involves little preparation, and you can relax with a coffee or tea while its baking, filling your home with the most amazing aroma.

    Slow morning aside, did you know this rustic breakfast can also be made in advance and reheated for quick and healthy breakfast during the week?  It can!

    This version of baked oatmeal is basically apple pie meets healthy oatmeal; it's so good. This recipe is also fairly versatile and can be served with yogurt, milk, or totally on its own (see below notes for optional add-ons and substitutions).

    An overhead image of a cast iton pan filled with baked oatmeal and a hand placing an apple slice ontop.

    How to make this Flavorful Vegan Baked Oatmeal

    This cozy vegan apple spice baked oatmeal is super easy to make. To make this recipe, you'll need only a few very basic ingredients:

    • Rolled oats
    • Flax meal
    • Almond flour
    • Brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • Baking powder
    • Cinnamon and nutmeg
    • Salt
    • Almond milk
    • Maple syrup or honey
    • Olive oil
    • Diced apples

    After prepping the apples, this recipe is as simple as tossing ingredients in a bowl, pouring it into an 8x8 inch baking dish and baking it.

    A person pouring rolled oats into a large white mixing bowl with apples on a cutting board on the right and a milk jug on the left.
    an overhead flatlay of apples on a walnut cutting board with apples, brown leaves, a bowl of oats and a brown linen towel around it.
    an overhead flatlay of a mesh bag with apples spilling out of it and a hand reaching for an apple.

    This Vegan Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal is

    • Vegan
    • Gluten free (if you use certified gluten free ingredients)
    • Dairy-free
    • Comforting and aromatic
    • Sweet and cake-like, yet healthy
    • Made from everyday staple ingredients
    • Able to be made ahead
    • Easy to make and store

    Apple Variety Matters

    Not all apples are equal. Some apples are better for baking and cooking, while others should be for snacking only. There are quite a few apple varieties that don't bake well and, as such, shouldn't be used for this recipe.

    Bottom line, mushy grainy apples are not a pleasant mouthfeel and will make your baked goods less than great. There are many apples varieties that work for baking and in order for an apple to be suitable for baking, they should be:

    • Firm in order to hold their shape
    • Sweet so they add additional flavour
    • Juicy so they don't dry out.
    a closeup overhead image of hands cupping a red apple.

    Cosmic Crisp Washington state apples: a stellar new apple variety

    So what makes a perfect apple in my book? Foremost, it has to be sweet. It also has to be firm and crisp with a skin that yields to my bite. And because apples are one of my favourite fruits to bake with, it also needs withstand heat without becoming mushy.

    Cosmic Crisp® apples are all of the above, and then some.

    a close up of a red apple on the tree.
    Cosmic Crisp Orchard- photo courtesy of www.cosmiccrisp.com

    Cosmic Crisp apples are a non-GMO, classically bred apple grown in the Pacific Northwest. They are are a cross between Enterprise and Honeycrisp apples and were naturally bred over a period of 20 years at Washington State University to create a beautiful, tasty, natural, and all around perfect apple.   

    Cosmic Crisp® Washington state apples are crispier and sweeter than other varieties. They're also large and juicy with a remarkably crunchy texture - they almost *snap* when you bite into them!

    Moreover, these apples are great for baking- they withstand the heat of my oven and hold their shape well. They also impart natural sweetness to baked goods.

    a close up of three apples on a cutting board with cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and a sliced apple on the right.

    Cosmic Crisps are Slow to Brown

    Another noteworthy quality - Cosmic Crisp® apples are slow to brown. If you have a little kiddo like mine that takes a few bites of an apple and leaves it, well, their slow browning nature means I can salvage those half eaten apples when I find them lying around the house.  

    Furthermore, when it comes to baking and cooking, the slow browning quality means I can slice them without needing to rush through the rest of my prep- unlike regular apples, they'll stay fresh looking longer. Side note: as a food stylist and photographer, I love this trait.

    Overall, Cosmic Crisp apples are a perfect combination of taste, texture, and usability- they are easily my new favourite apple.

    a close up angle of a cast iron pan filed with baked oatmeal and an apple ring ontop.
    an angled close up of a plate of apple spice baked oatmeal with yogurt and a coffee mug in the background.

    Tips to make this recipe

    Overall, baked oatmeal with apples is very easy to make. However, there are some key points worth nothing to make sure you get stellar results:

    • Use Rolled oats - quick oats can make baked oatmeal mushy and somewhat unappealing
    • Use Fresh, unblemished apples- see the next paragraph on how to keep apples fresh; they are infinitely better
    • Use an apple variety suitable for baking-as noted above, Cosmic Crisp® apples are a great baking apple and work perfectly in this recipe (peeled or unpeeled).
    • Cool in the pan for minimum 20 minutes -this makes for easy serving and cutting and helps the oatmeal hold its shape.
    • Use fresh grated nutmeg for better flavour.
    an overhead flatlay of apples and a mesh bag with a paring knife on the right and brown leaves.

    Keep Apples Fresh with Refrigeration

    Apples are best when you keep them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. When stored at room temperature, apples ripen 6-7x faster - this goes for Cosmic Crisps, too. Store apples at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) in a breathable produce bag to help keep them at peak freshness.

    an overhead of two plates with spiced apple baked oatmeal and yogurt and spoons on the right.

    Substitutes and Add-ons

    • Any plant-based milk or regular dairy milk will work in this recipe
    • Use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar in equal measure
    • Use coconut oil or any neutral flavoured oil instead of olive oil in equal measure
    • Swap liquid honey for maple syrup in equal measure
    • You can peel the apple skins if you like
    • Grate the apples instead of dicing them if you prefer
    • Add in raisins, cranberries or chopped nut or seeds if you like
    • Ground ginger is lovely in this recipe, too! Use about ¼-½ teaspoon in this recipe.

    Make Ahead and Storage notes

    This recipe can be made in advance and kept at room temperature for up to a few hours before serving. Baked oatmeal is best served warm, so be sure to pop it in the oven at low temperature for about ten minutes before serving.

    Vegan apple spice oatmeal can be stored covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Simply portion and reheat as needed.

    an overhead of two plates with spiced apple baked oatmeal and yogurt and spoons on the right.

    Notes About Gluten

    Oats are naturally gluten free, however, be sure to source certified gluten free oats to ensure there is no cross contamination which can happen during the processing period before they arrive on store shelves.  Also, be sure to double check all your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten free if there is a gluten sensitivity, intolerance or allergy.

    Where to Find Cosmic Crisp® apples

    Cosmic Crisp® apples are available across Canada at most major grocery stores. Ask for them at your local grocer or look for the Cosmic Crisp stand in the fresh produce section. You can also check them out on Facebook @CosmicCrisp or Instagram @thecosmiccrisp or hashtag #AppleOfBigDreams #CosmicCrisp

    Cosmic Crisp Washington State Logo

    Looking for More Apple Recipes?

    If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to check out some of my other recipes featuring one of my favourite fruits to bake with:

    Vegan German Apple Cake

    Vegan Apple Spice Bundt Cake

    Vegan French Apple Tart [Tarte Normade]

    an overhead flatlay of baked oatmeal in a cast iron pan with a wooden spoon on the left and a milk jug in the upper right corner.
    an overhead flatlay of baked oatmeal in a cast iron pan with a wooden spoon on the left and a milk jug and dishes in the upper right corner.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print

    Vegan Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal [gluten-free]

    Easy and comforting, this vegan apple spice baked oatmeal is made from basic pantry ingredients. This healthy baked oatmeal is also gluten-free with notes of caramel and warming spices. For substitutions and recipe options, see above section.

    Course Breakfast, brunch
    Cuisine American, Canadian
    Keyword apple baked oatmeal, vegan baked oatmeal with apples
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Cooling Tim 20 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 325 kcal
    Author Heidi Richter

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon (13g) ground flaxseed
    • 4 tablespoon water
    • 2 ½ cups (225g) rolled oats certified gluten free if needed
    • ⅓ cup (32g) almond flour
    • ⅓ cup (50g) coconut sugar or brown sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ¼ cups (310ml) almond milk or plant-based milk of choice
    • ⅓ cup (80ml) maple syrup or liquid honey
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
    • 2 cups (240g) diced apples (cored) I used Cosmic Crisp apples for this recipe

    Optional

    • apple rings or slices for topping

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8” baking dish and set aside.

    2. In a small bowl, combine the flax meal and water. Let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. To a large bowl combine the rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt and mix to combine.

    3. To the rolled oat mixture, add the almond milk, maple syrup, olive oil, flax mixture and diced apples. Mix well to combine then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly in the dish. Add optional apple rings or slices to the top.

    4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges and top are golden brown. Carefully remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Recipe Notes

    Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Portion and reheat leftovers as needed.

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal [gluten-free]
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 325 Calories from Fat 108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12g18%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 479mg21%
    Potassium 296mg8%
    Carbohydrates 51g17%
    Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 22g24%
    Protein 7g14%
    Vitamin A 24IU0%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 156mg16%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an approximation of the nutrition offered in this recipe, and is created using a nutrition calculator. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your preferred calculator.

    More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    • a baker in a grey sweater holding a tray with 3 chocolate beet muffins.
      Jumbo Vegan Chocolate Beet Muffins
    • overhead view of bircher museli with strawberries and whipped cream on a wood surface with a gold spoon.
      Vegan Strawberries & Cream Bircher Museli Bowls
    • a head on shot of a baker holding a pan of cinnamon rolls.
      Easy Gooey Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
    • a head on image of a stack of multigrain pancakes sitting next to a window.
      Vegan Multigrain Buckwheat Pancakes

    About Heidi Richter

    Heidi is the recipe developer, photographer and gardener behind The Simple Green. She fuels her passion for food, gardening and photography with plenty of matcha tea and sourdough bread.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Oleah says

      February 20, 2021 at 4:55 am

      5 stars
      This was so good! I used honey instead of maple syrup and just regular peeled apples. Loved the addition of nutmeg.

      Reply
      • Heidi Richter says

        February 20, 2021 at 4:10 pm

        Thank you, Oleah! I'm so happy to hear it 🙂

        Reply
    2. SD says

      February 28, 2021 at 5:09 am

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe!

      Reply
      • Heidi Richter says

        February 28, 2021 at 8:11 pm

        I am thrilled to hear it 🙂 Thank you!!

        Reply
    3. Jessica Carlson says

      June 09, 2021 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out great. We used strawberries instead of apples and MY GOD! So good! Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Heidi Richter says

        June 09, 2021 at 5:52 pm

        I'm so happy you like it!

        Reply
    4. Susan Pratt says

      June 16, 2021 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Great stuff! I'm also increasing my skill level and creating this sort of recipe.
      I always try to provide people with such nutritious and yummy stuff to make them better cook! Once again great efforts!

      Reply
      • Heidi Richter says

        June 16, 2021 at 4:57 pm

        Thanks, Susan!

        Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    a portrait of Heidi Richter in a white camisole sitting behind a basket of tomatoes.

    Hi! I'm Heidi, the recipe developer, gardener, and photographer behind The Simple Green. I specialize in simple and seasonal plant-based recipes, both sweet and savory!

    Learn more about me.

    round award seal "taste canada awards shortlist"
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    strawberries with text overlay Spring Recipes fruits crisps tender greens, pickles and more.
    A green tomato with text overlay "shop my favourite things".

    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER

    get notified of new recipes!

     

    Footer

    © 2022 The Simple Green. This site is supported in part by the use of affiliate links. By using this site you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accessibility

    Cookie Policy

    Copyright© 2023 · Brunch Pro by Feast Design Co.

    The Simple Green uses cookies to improve your experience while using this site. You can opt-out if you wish.acceptopt out Learn More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT