Baked Oatmeal Cups with Apple and Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup peeled and finely diced apple (about 1 medium apple)
• 1 nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and generously coat a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to coat the top edges of each cup too.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cups oats, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup applesauce, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and no streaks of egg remain.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the oat mixture and stir until fully combined, then fold in the diced apple.
5. Let the batter sit for 5 minutes so the oats begin to absorb the liquid slightly, then stir once more.
6. Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full (roughly 1/4 cup per cup); top each with a few chopped walnuts if using.
7. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the tops are golden brown, the centers no longer look wet or jiggly, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and let the cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes; they will deflate slightly as they cool, which is normal.
9. Run a thin knife around the edge of each cup to loosen, then carefully lift each cup out onto a wire rack to cool for 5 more minutes before serving.
10. Serve warm as is, or with a drizzle of extra maple syrup and a spoonful of yogurt on the side.

Tips

Why You'll Love This

• Portable, freezer-friendly, and great for meal prep
• No refined sugar beyond a touch of maple syrup
• Kid-friendly texture like a soft baked good

Nutrition

Nutrition values are estimated per serving based on the ingredients used.