Description

Budget-friendly, kid-approved baked oatmeal cups made with pantry staples. These portable breakfasts are perfect for busy mornings, offering a chewy texture and cinnamon-sugar flavor that keeps children full until lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 medium apples (diced into ½-inch cubes)
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups milk
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
¼ cup maple syrup
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons softened butter (for topping)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping)
½ teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, baking powder, salt, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Stir to distribute evenly.
In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just moistened. Do not overmix.
Stir in diced apples (and nuts if using) until evenly distributed.
Scoop mixture into muffin liners, filling each about ¾ full.
Mix softened butter, granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle a teaspoon of this mixture onto each cup.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, to maintain texture. Apples can be peeled if preferred, but leaving the peel on adds fiber. These store in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For freezing, place in a single layer on a baking sheet first to prevent sticking. Reheat in microwave with a splash of milk to keep moist.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14
Sodium: 120
Fat: 5
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 3
Protein: 5

Keywords: baked oatmeal, breakfast cups, budget breakfast, kid-friendly breakfast, meal prep, apple cinnamon, oatmeal muffins, easy breakfast