Easy apple oatmeal cups are a tasty, healthy on-the-go breakfast! Made with oats, applesauce, peanut butter, maple syrup and cinnamon. Make a batch for busy mornings (my kids adore them!). P.S. They freeze great!
Apples and peanut butter and I go waaaaaay back.
This is serious, you guys. You know there have been a whole slew lot of healthy oatmeal breakfast recipes on the blog, from the mega popular Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups and Healthy Oatmeal Apple Waffles.
I credit my mama for igniting this life long love affair. And today, we're turning this heaven-sent combo into apple baked oatmeal cups! Slather 'em in salty peanut butter and call it a GOOD day. I like to serve 'em with scrambled eggs for a balanced breakfast!
The low down on key ingredients
- Applesauce: I developed this recipe with lots of applesauce for apple flavor and of course moisture, no oil required. Store bought or homemade works great!
- Old fashioned oats: The base of this recipe is whole grain rolled oats. Don't use instant, quick, or steel cut here. Use certified gluten free if needed.
- Peanut butter: I found in testing that PB added those good healthy fats (and flavor!) without the need for extra oils. Any nut butter works. I like salted, duh. Make it nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and oat or cow's milk instead of almond milk. (The muffins may turn green, which is a harmless reaction between the sunflower seed butter and baking powder.)
Let's make them!
Simply whisk wet, whisk dry, and combine. Easy!
This recipe is pretty forgiving I've learned. Want more richness? Add a couple tablespoons of melted butter. Feeling crunchy? Add toasted walnuts or pecans. Craving sweeter? Use ½ cup maple syrup or omit for less sweet!
Make it vegan: Omit egg and use a flax egg instead (1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 tbsp water).
Storage tips
Store cooled leftover cups in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to five days. These make an amazing make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings!
Holler in the comments if you give these breakfast beauts a whirl!
Print
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins are a tasty, healthy on-the-go breakfast! Made with oats, applesauce, peanut butter, maple syrup and cinnamon. Make a batch for busy mornings!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened vanilla almond)
- ¼ cup natural salted peanut butter (or almond butter)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt (use ½ tsp if peanut butter is not salted)
- 1 medium apple, diced small
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add applesauce, almond milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract and stir until well mixed.
- Add oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until combined, being careful not to over-mix. Fold in diced apple.
- Spoon mixture evenly into muffin tin, filling the tins to the very top. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Let cups cool for at least 15 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
VEGAN: Sub a flax or chia egg.
Photos by The Nutritious Kitchen.
Jackie T says
If I substitute dates for the maple syrup and want to add a cup of shredded zucchini, should I adjust any of the other ingredients?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hey! I can't say as I haven't tested those swaps. Zucchini is super moist so that would really change the recipe--I'd recommend making my zucchini banana oatmeal cups instead if you want to use zucchini in a tested recipe that'll turn out well!
Penny says
These are awesome! I’ve swapped out the apple for blueberries or even banana. Love them!
Alexis Joseph says
Wahoooo thanks, Penny! Love the sound of these with bloobs.
Penny says
Delicious!! Just took these out of the oven. I know what I’m having for breakfast this week.
Alexis Joseph says
Amazing, thanks Penny!
Allison says
I was craving a fall “pastry” to have with an afternoon cup of coffee and these muffins were the perfect answer! I was out of vanilla extract and had to supplement the little applesauce I had with a mashed banana but they still turned out great. Will definitely make again!
Alexis Joseph says
That sounds perfect, thanks a ton Allison!
Kori Daniel says
These were so fun and easy to make, and they are tasty! I put on my Christmas tunes, set out my ingredients, and in no time they were baking. I had to bake mine a little longer, and some are still a little wet on the bottom. My fault for not evenly distributing the liquid throughout the muffin tin. I love that they are not overly sweet and will be fantastic as is, with more pb, in a yogurt bowl, and with cottage cheese!
Alexis Joseph says
Awww how fun is this scene! Thanks for the tips, Kori!
Nic says
Love these!!
Nikki says
I just had one of these made by Alexis and it was BOMB! So moist (sorry for those of you who don’t like that word, it’s absolutely necessary in this case) and perfectly sweet!! I will be making these for my husband and myself as well as making a small batch for my baby boy sans the maple syrup and salt!
Kate says
Thanks for this recipe! I'm looking forward to trying it. If I wanted to omit any sort of nut butter, would you recommend replacing it with another 1/4 of applesauce, or with something else? (I can't do nuts, but I also don't like sunflower seed butter when it's been cooked).
Alexis Joseph says
Hey Katie! I'd suggest tahini if you don't like sunbutter or use 2 tbsp oil/melted butter instead.
Dylan says
Great recipe to whip-up for a quick breakfast or snack!
Dylan says
So good, these are great for a quick breakfast!
laura says
These were amazing, the whole family enjoyed them and the entire batch was gone in minutes. Will be making these regularly for the kids snacks. Thanks!
Alexis says
Awww, thank you Laura! I need to remake these!
caitlin says
Hey - this recipe looks great for Thanksgiving brunch!!! One question: would peanut butter work instead??? Thanks in advance!!! xx
Alexis says
Sure—they’ll just have a peanut butter flavor!
caitlin says
Hey - this recipe looks great for Thanksgiving brunch!!! One question: would peanut butter work instead??? Thanks in advance!!! xx
Alexis says
Sure—they’ll just have a peanut butter flavor!
Laura says
This is a wonderful recipe especially for those who are allergic to eggs, dairy and are going gluten free! For sure this is a keeper recipe. Very easy recipe for those grab and go breakfast mornings. Thanks again for sharing such a great recipe!
Alexis says
Of course! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂
Laura says
This is a wonderful recipe especially for those who are allergic to eggs, dairy and are going gluten free! For sure this is a keeper recipe. Very easy recipe for those grab and go breakfast mornings. Thanks again for sharing such a great recipe!
Alexis says
Of course! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂
Mary says
A shame you are spruiking protein powder - there's never been a case of protein deficiency in the western world. The opposite is most likely true. I will try these without the protein powder.
Mary says
A shame you are spruiking protein powder - there's never been a case of protein deficiency in the western world. The opposite is most likely true. I will try these without the protein powder.
Dana says
Can peanut butter be used instead? Thank you!!
Dana says
Can peanut butter be used instead? Thank you!!
Jessica says
Do l need to make any changes if l leave out the protein powder?
Jessica says
Do l need to make any changes if l leave out the protein powder?
Karen says
Can you provide the nutritional information for the Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal Cups? Thank you!
Karen says
Can you provide the nutritional information for the Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal Cups? Thank you!
annie says
lol i'm lovin your description of the cartoon character reaction. We like to call it "a-oooo-gah" at our house.
These cups look wonderful. My fella keeps those pre-packaged oatmeals in his desk and it kind of annoys me. So many additives and sugars and what have you. But so far, i haven't come up with a good alternative......until now! I could make a big batch at the start of the week and keep them in the freezer. Wonderful.
annie says
lol i'm lovin your description of the cartoon character reaction. We like to call it "a-oooo-gah" at our house.
These cups look wonderful. My fella keeps those pre-packaged oatmeals in his desk and it kind of annoys me. So many additives and sugars and what have you. But so far, i haven't come up with a good alternative......until now! I could make a big batch at the start of the week and keep them in the freezer. Wonderful.
Janet says
They look delicious! Do the probiotics in the protein powder stand up to the oven heat?
Alexis says
it depends on the strain, but that is a good question! I'll do some research!
Janet says
They look delicious! Do the probiotics in the protein powder stand up to the oven heat?
Alexis says
it depends on the strain, but that is a good question! I'll do some research!
Sam @ Hygge Wellness says
Yum! Definitely making these this weekend. Thanks, Alexis!! : )
Sam @ Hygge Wellness says
Yum! Definitely making these this weekend. Thanks, Alexis!! : )