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- 2 cups rolled oats - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon salt To start, I always use rolled oats for this dish. They cook well and give a great texture. The baking powder helps the oatmeal rise a bit, making it fluffy. Ground cinnamon adds a warm flavor that pairs perfectly with apples and cranberries. Lastly, a pinch of salt balances all the sweetness in the dish. - 2 cups almond milk (or your preferred milk) - ½ cup maple syrup or honey For the milk, I often choose almond milk. It keeps the bake light and adds a nice nutty taste. You can also use any milk you like, such as cow's milk or oat milk. When it comes to sweeteners, I prefer maple syrup for its rich flavor. Honey works well too, but it adds a different touch. Both sweeteners make this dish delightful. - 2 ripe apples, peeled and diced - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) This recipe shines with apples and cranberries. I always use ripe apples for sweetness. Fresh cranberries add a tart flavor, while frozen ones work just as well. For a crunch, I love adding walnuts or pecans. They give a nice bite and depth to the dish. You can skip the nuts if you prefer. 1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. 2. Next, grease a 9x9 inch baking dish with coconut oil or melted butter. This helps prevent sticking. 3. In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients well to mix them evenly. 4. In another bowl, whisk together the almond milk, maple syrup (or honey), and pure vanilla extract. Mix until it is smooth and well combined. 5. Gradually pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir continuously to blend everything together. 6. Now, gently fold in the diced apples, cranberries, and optional chopped nuts. Make sure they are well distributed without overmixing. 7. Transfer the combined mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it evenly across the dish. 8. Place the dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and a firm center. 9. After baking, take the dish out of the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before cutting it into squares for serving. To keep your Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake moist, use enough liquid. Almond milk helps here. If you find it dry, add a splash more milk before baking. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can make your bake tough. Gently fold in the fruit and nuts for the best texture. Serve your bake warm. A drizzle of maple syrup adds sweetness. For a crunchy touch, sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Yogurt makes a great side too. It adds creaminess and balances the flavors. You can use plain or flavored yogurt based on your taste. Choose a 9x9 inch baking dish for even cooking. Glass or ceramic works well. For mixing, use a large bowl for dry ingredients. A medium bowl for wet ingredients is best. These sizes fit the recipe perfectly and make mixing easy. {{image_4}} You can switch up the fruits in this bake. Try using pears instead of apples. Pears add a sweet, juicy twist. You can also use other fruits like berries or peaches. Each fruit brings its own flavor and texture. For nuts, consider using almonds or hazelnuts. These nuts add different tastes and crunch. If you need a gluten-free version, use gluten-free rolled oats. They work just as well in this recipe. You can also swap regular flour for almond flour or coconut flour. These options keep the dish gluten-free while adding a unique flavor. For a vegan option, substitute almond milk with any non-dairy milk. Options like oat or soy milk are great too. If a recipe calls for eggs, you can use flax eggs instead. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. This will help bind your ingredients without eggs. Let your Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake cool completely before storing. This step helps keep moisture in check, so your bake stays fresh. Use airtight containers for the best results. Glass or plastic containers work well. Make sure to label them with the date too. To reheat, warm it gently in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the squares in an oven-safe dish and cover them with foil. Heat for about 15 minutes. This keeps the bake soft. If you're short on time, you can use the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute, checking often to avoid drying it out. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to five days. If you want to store it longer, freeze it. Cut the bake into squares and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, they can last for up to three months. Just remember to label and date them! Yes, you can use steel-cut oats. However, they differ in texture and cooking time. Steel-cut oats are chewier and take longer to cook. If you use them, soak them overnight. This helps soften them. Then, adjust the baking time. You may need to bake for a bit longer to get the right texture. Yes, you can use other sweeteners like agave syrup or brown sugar. Each will change the flavor a bit. Maple syrup gives a rich taste, while honey adds floral notes. Experiment with what you like best. Just keep the amount similar to the recipe. To make it nut-free, simply omit the nuts. You can replace them with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. These will still give a nice crunch. Another option is to use shredded coconut for added texture. Enjoy a tasty dish that fits your needs! This blog post covered key ingredients, preparation steps, and tips for a delicious bake. You learned about essential ingredients like rolled oats and baking powder and how to choose milk options and sweeteners. We explored optional add-ins and variations to keep your dish exciting. Remember the importance of storing leftovers properly and reheating for the best taste. Keep experimenting with flavors and textures to make this recipe your own. Enjoy the process, and savor each bite!

Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake

Start your mornings off right with this delicious Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake! This wholesome recipe combines rolled oats, fresh apples, and cranberries for a hearty meal that's both satisfying and nutritious. Perfect for busy days and easy to make, you can enjoy a slice warm with a drizzle of maple syrup. Click through to get the full recipe and make your breakfast a delightful experience everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups rolled oats

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups almond milk (or your preferred milk)

2 ripe apples, peeled and diced into small chunks

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup maple syrup or honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional for added crunch)

2 tablespoons coconut oil or melted butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions
 

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking dish with coconut oil or melted butter to prevent sticking.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly mixed.

      In another bowl, whisk together the almond milk, maple syrup (or honey), and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

        Gradually pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring continuously to fully incorporate them together.

          Gently fold in the diced apples, cranberries, and optional chopped nuts, ensuring an even distribution without overmixing.

            Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to settle into the dish.

              Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bake feels set in the center.

                Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares for serving.

                  Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6-8

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve the oatmeal bake warm, drizzling a little extra maple syrup over the top for sweetness. For added color and texture, sprinkle additional cranberries and chopped nuts as a garnish. Consider adding a dollop of yogurt on the side for a creamy complement to this delightful breakfast treat.