As much as I love pumpkin spice for fall, I may just love apple cinnamon a hair more. There’s something so comforting about sweet apples paired with spicy cinnamon. And don’t even get me started on the aroma it creates!
This High Protein Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal bake couldn’t be any more simple to throw together and it makes the perfect weekend family breakfast recipe or weekly meal prep. I like to prep a batch on Sunday, add it to individual containers, and store it in the fridge for a quick, on-the-go breakfast throughout the week.
If you came here looking for a quick, easy, protein-packed, and heart-warming breakfast, I’ve got you covered!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are many reasons to add my High Protein Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake to your recipe rotation, but here are the most compelling.
It’s Got 15g of Protein Per Serving
We know by now that we should be eating a high-protein breakfast, right? Right. So, let’s make it easy by grabbing a slice of our Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake and topping it with Greek yogurt to deliver a protein powerhouse that’s both pleasant to eat and super satiating.
It’s Ready in 30 Minutes
Not only is this recipe ready in about 30 minutes, but about 25 of those minutes are spent totally hands-off while your oatmeal bakes in the oven. All you need is one bowl, a mixing spoon, and an 8 x 8 pan. Stir everything together, throw it in the oven, and voila!
It’s Flavorful and Fragrant
You know those recipes that, when you cook them, fill your home with the sweetest, most mouth-watering fragrances? This is one of them. If you want to fill your home (and your belly) with the warm, comforting essence of apples and cinnamon, I suggest you make this recipe ASAP.
My High Protein Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
Let’s make some meal prep breakfast magic!
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients required to make this recipe:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 large apple, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Ingredient Tips
Choose a protein powder that’s good for baking: Not every protein powder bakes well, so it’s important to find one that does. I have found that 1st Phorm Level-1 and Clean Simple Eats (code TAMI) are some of the best protein powders for baking, which is why you’ll see them repeated throughout my recipes.
Chop your apple to your preference: The finer you dice your apple, the more pieces you’ll get in every bite. The larger you chop your apple, the more big chunks of apple you’ll get to enjoy. Determine your preference and chop your apple accordingly.
Use unsweetened vanilla almond milk for more flavor: If you want you to enhance the overall flavor of your recipe, use unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
How To Make This Recipe (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Let’s do this!
Kitchen Tools
Here’s what to grab from your kitchen:
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- 8×8 baking dish
- Cutting board and knife
Step 1: Preheat oven prep your pan
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your 8×8 baking pan (I used Pam).
Step 2: Combine ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined (do not over-mix).
Step 3: Fold in diced apple and nuts
Gently fold in your diced apples and nuts (if you are using them).
Step 4: Bake
Pour the mixture into your baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top begins to brown and all moisture has evaporated.
Step 5: Allow to Cool, Slice, and Enjoy!
Allow your oatmeal bake to cool before slicing into 9 pieces. Serve immediately or place in airtight containers in the refrigerator for an easy breakfast meal prep.
Tips For Success
- Don’t over-mix your batter: Overmixing can lead to your oatmeal bake falling flat during the baking process. Mix until ingredients are just combined.
- Don’t over-bake. Keep a close eye on your Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake during the baking process to ensure it doesn't overbake and result in burnt oatmeal.
- Pair with Greek yogurt for a complete, high-protein breakfast. Add a dollop or two of vanilla Greek yogurt to your oatmeal for a balanced, protein-dense breakfast to fuel your morning.
Macro Friendly Variations
Protein Adjustment
Increase Protein:
- Add an extra scoop of protein powder. Keep in mind that you might need to increase the amount of almond milk along with the protein powder to prevent your oatmeal from being too dry.
- Incorporate Greek yogurt directly into the ingredients. Add up to ½ cup of low-fat Greek yogurt to your mixture before baking.
- Add 2-3 egg whites to your ingredients before baking.
- Top the baked oats with low-fat cottage cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt for serving.
Fat Adjustment
Increase Fats:
- Add more nuts.
- Add a tablespoon or two of nut butter to your mixture.
Decrease Fats:
- Do not add nuts to your mixture.
Carb Adjustment
Increase carbs:
- To decrease the carbs in this recipe, you could add an additional diced apple to your mixture or even a chopped banana.
- Add dried fruit to the mixture like cranberries for additional flavor and carbs.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is great on its own, but even better when you pair it with some extras to make it a complete meal.
Yogurt topping (my personal favorite)
- Serve a warm slice with a dollop of Greek yogurt for added creaminess and protein content.
With fruit
- Add a cup of fresh fruit on the side or warm some frozen berries to pour over top.
With ice cream for dessert
- Craving dessert? How about a warm apple pie ala mode? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to this recipe and you get the best of both worlds when it comes to your health and indulgence.
FAQs
Yes, I love making this oatmeal bake for meal prep. You can make it ahead of time, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for a quick, hearty breakfast.
Yes, you can use quick oats, but the texture could be a bit softer when compared to using rolled oats. Additionally, the bake might also cook faster, so keep an eye on it and check for doneness a few minutes earlier.
This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to make it your own. Try using pears, blueberries, bananas, or chopped peaches in place of the apples. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the sweetness of your recipe depending on the type of fruit that you choose.
Yes, in order to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free oats and ensure that the protein powder you select is also gluten-free.
Nutmeg, ginger, and allspice all work great to create a more complex flavor profile.
Conclusion
I hope that you enjoy my High Protein Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake as much as I do! This is truly one of the easiest meal prep breakfast recipes and you’ll feel great about how hearty and filling it is. You’ll also love how the baking process will leave your home smelling like a delicious fall day. So light your favorite candle, dress in your comfiest sweats, and pop this recipe in the oven the next time you need to feel warm, cozy, and satisfied.
If you make this recipe, can you do me a favor and leave me a review? It would mean the world to me! Your reviews and support allow me to continue to share free macro-friendly recipes with you.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake (High Protein)
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Mixing spoon
- 1 8×8 baking dish
- 1 Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 large apple, diced
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, almond milk, sugar-free maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Fold in the diced apple and chopped nuts, if using.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I’ve made this several times and it always turns out great! I add a dash of nutmeg and a couple scoops of unsweetened collagen powder as well. Definitely a keeper!
Hi Casey! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I am so happy you love this one!!