Baked Apple Oatmeal Greek Yogurt

The smell of cinnamon and baked apples drifting through the house on a gray Sunday morning is something that pulls everyone out of bed. My youngest stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from her eyes, asking what smelled like fall decided to visit early. We scooped warm squares onto plates while the yogurt cream melted into the oats, and nobody said a word because their mouths were full.

My neighbor brought over a bushel of apples from her tree last autumn, and I spent three weeks trying to figure out what to do with them all. This baked oatmeal became the household solution, requested so often that my husband started timing his coffee brewing to match when it came out of the oven.

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: These hold their shape better than quick oats and give you that satisfying chewy texture
• Milk: Whole milk makes it creamier, but oat milk works beautifully if you want to keep it dairy-free
• Eggs: They create that custard-like structure that holds everything together
• Pure maple syrup or honey: Maple adds depth while honey brings floral sweetness
• Melted butter: Butter adds richness, though coconut oil gives a lovely subtle sweetness
• Vanilla extract: Never skip this, it ties all the warm spices together
• Ground cinnamon: The backbone of that comforting spice blend
• Ground nutmeg: Just enough to add warmth without overpowering
• Baking powder: Helps the oats puff up slightly as they bake
• Salt: Essential to balance the sweetness and highlight the spices
• Medium apples: Honeycrisp or Gala hold their shape well and stay tender
• Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds brightness
• Brown sugar: Creates little pockets of caramelized sweetness around the apples
• Plain Greek yogurt: The cool, tangy contrast cuts through the warmth
• Toasted nuts: Walnuts add earthiness while pecans bring natural sweetness

Instructions

Preheat your oven and prepare the dish:

Set your oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8 baking dish with butter or oil

Whisk the wet ingredients:

Combine eggs, milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth

Mix in the oats and spices:

Add oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring until evenly distributed

Prepare the apples:

Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl

Combine everything:

Fold the spiced apples into the oat mixture gently

Spread and bake:

Pour into your prepared dish and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and set in the center

Rest before serving:

Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes so it cuts cleanly

Prepare the topping:

Whisk Greek yogurt with maple syrup until velvety smooth

Plate it up:

Cut into squares and serve warm with a generous dollop of sweetened yogurt and toasted nuts

Save

This recipe became my go-to when friends had babies or needed a comforting meal during tough weeks. Something about warm oats and sweet apples feels like being hugged from the inside.

Make It Yours

I have swapped pears for apples when the season changed, and honestly, the delicate pear sweetness might be even better. Dried cranberries or raisins tucked into the oats add little bursts of tart sweetness that make every bite interesting.

Storage And Meal Prep

The squares keep perfectly in the refrigerator for four days, and I often bake a double batch on Sunday to have breakfast ready all week. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 45 seconds, or eat them cold straight from the container if you are rushing out the door.

Serving Ideas

A warm cup of Earl Grey tea alongside brings out the spices beautifully. For a more decadent weekend version, drizzle extra maple syrup over the top or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of yogurt.

• Try adding a pinch of cardamom to the spice blend
• Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top before baking for extra crunch
• Experiment with different nuts like almonds or hazelnuts

Save

Hope this baked oatmeal brings as many cozy mornings to your kitchen as it has to mine.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?

Steel-cut oats require significantly more liquid and cooking time, so they're not recommended for this recipe. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture and results.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Store cooled baked oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.

→ Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk instead of dairy milk, swap butter for coconut oil, and use coconut yogurt or a dairy-free alternative in place of Greek yogurt.

→ What apple varieties work best?

Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji apples hold their shape well during baking. Softer varieties like Red Delicious will become quite tender but still work nicely.

→ Can I freeze this baked oatmeal?

Absolutely! Cut into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

→ Can I reduce the sugar content?

You can reduce or omit the maple syrup in the base and the brown sugar on the apples. The natural sweetness from the apples often proves sufficient, especially when topped with sweetened yogurt.