Delicious Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal: Your New Favorite Healthy Breakfast & Easy Meal Prep Idea
Imagine waking up to the comforting aroma of freshly baked coffee cake, but with the added bonus of it being a wholesome and nutritious breakfast! This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal is precisely that — a delightful fusion that tastes like a decadent treat, yet is crafted from real, whole food ingredients. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking for a satisfying, cozy start to their day, especially if you’re seeking gluten-free, dairy-free, or even vegan options. Get ready to fall in love with this baked oatmeal recipe, designed to be a new favorite in your breakfast repertoire.
For those who frequently follow our recipes, you know our deep affection for starting the day with oats. Whether it’s our one-pan baked oats, convenient overnight oats, hearty Instant Pot steel cut oats, or individualized baked oatmeal jars, a warm and substantial bowl of oatmeal is our go-to for staying fueled and satisfied until that mid-morning snack. This love for oats led us to create something truly special.
As the cozy seasons roll in, we decided it was the perfect time to elevate our favorite morning meal into a Holiday Brunch Worthy delight. This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal isn’t just a delicious and healthy meal prep breakfast; it’s so good, it can easily double as a guilt-free dessert! The most amazing part? It genuinely tastes like a classic coffee cake, but with all the goodness of a bowl of oats. The warm cinnamon, tender crumb, and sweet streusel topping create an unforgettable experience, making healthy eating feel incredibly luxurious.
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Why You Will Love This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal Recipe
This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal is more than just a breakfast; it’s a culinary experience designed to make your mornings brighter and your meal prep simpler. Here’s why this recipe is sure to become a staple:
- Minimal, Wholesome Ingredients: You’ll be amazed at how quickly this recipe comes together with common pantry staples. We often whip this up on a whim, finding we already have everything needed, meaning fewer trips to the grocery store and more time enjoying delicious food.
- A Taste of Dessert for Breakfast: Indulge in the irresistible flavors of a moist, crumbly coffee cake without any of the guilt. It’s truly like having cake for breakfast, yet it’s brimming with fiber, complex carbohydrates, and beneficial nutrients, setting a positive tone for your day.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare a batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have wholesome, ready-to-eat breakfasts for days. It reheats beautifully, making busy mornings a breeze and helping you stick to your healthy eating goals.
- Easily Customizable for Dietary Needs: This recipe is naturally adaptable! Whether you need it gluten-free, dairy-free, or fully vegan, simple substitutions make it accessible for almost everyone without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Satisfying and Sustaining: Thanks to the slow-releasing energy from the oats and the added fiber, this baked oatmeal keeps you feeling full and energized, preventing those mid-morning energy slumps.
- Versatile Pairing Options: While it’s delicious on its own, it also pairs wonderfully with a side of protein like Greek yogurt or our Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausages for a perfectly balanced meal.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal
One of the best features of this recipe is how it utilizes simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have. We focus on real, whole foods to create a truly nourishing and delicious breakfast.
For the Oatmeal Base:
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: The star of our recipe! We highly recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats, like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Rolled Oats, for their chewy texture and ability to absorb moisture without becoming mushy. Quick oats are not ideal as they can lead to a less desirable consistency.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is crucial for giving the baked oatmeal a light, fluffy, and cake-like texture, making it truly reminiscent of coffee cake.
- Cinnamon: Essential for that signature warm, spicy flavor profile of coffee cake. Don’t skimp on this!
- Salt: A small pinch enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the cinnamon pop.
- Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds, or Hemp Seeds (Optional): These are fantastic additions for a boost of omega-3s, fiber, and protein. They also help thicken the oatmeal slightly, adding to its hearty nature.
- Almond Milk: Our preferred non-dairy milk, but feel free to use any milk you have on hand – cow’s milk, soy milk, or oat milk all work beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth and a comforting aroma that perfectly complements the cinnamon.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: This is a wonderful natural sweetener and a key ingredient for moisture. It also acts as a binder, contributing to the soft, cakey texture. Mashed banana can be used as a substitute, though applesauce gives a milder flavor profile.
- Real Maple Syrup: Provides a natural, rich sweetness. You can substitute honey or even regular granulated sugar if that’s what you have. For a lower sugar option, feel free to reduce the amount or omit it entirely.
For the Irresistible Crumb Topping:
- More Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are processed into a coarse flour to create the crumbly texture. If you have oat flour on hand, you can use that directly for convenience.
- Raw Sugar, Coconut Sugar, or Cane Sugar: Provides the sweet crunch for the topping. For a less sweet version, you can reduce the sugar by half.
- Cold Butter or Vegan Butter: This is critically important! Using cold butter (or cold vegan butter) is key to achieving a truly crumbly streusel topping. If your butter is at room temperature, it will melt too quickly into the oats during baking, resulting in a less distinct texture (though still tasty!).
- Cinnamon: Another dose of warm cinnamon in the topping amplifies the coffee cake flavor and aroma, tying everything together beautifully.
Creative Substitutions + Flavorful Additions
One of the beauties of baked oatmeal is its incredible versatility. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe truly your own! Here are some ideas to customize your Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal:
- For Gluten-Free Baked Oatmeal: Always ensure you are using certified gluten-free rolled oats. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill clearly label their gluten-free products, offering peace of mind. If gluten is not a concern for you, any regular old-fashioned rolled oats will work perfectly.
- For Dairy-Free or Vegan Baked Oatmeal: This recipe is already designed to be dairy-free when using almond milk (or another plant-based milk). For the topping, simply swap out the cold dairy butter for a good quality chilled vegan butter or solid coconut oil. Ensure the coconut oil is firm and cold for the best crumbly texture.
- Elevate with a Dessert Feel: If you’re truly embracing the “dessert for breakfast” vibe, a decadent drizzle of cream cheese frosting can transform this dish. Try the delicious and healthier cream cheese frosting from our Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe for an extra special touch.
- Fruity Freshness: To introduce a burst of bright flavor and color, consider adding a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the oatmeal mixture before baking. The blueberries will gently burst, creating pockets of fruity goodness and turning it into a delightful Blueberry Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal. Raspberries or chopped apples would also be wonderful.
- Nutty Crunch: For added texture and healthy fats, fold in a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the oatmeal base. You can also sprinkle them on top with the streusel for an extra crunch.
- Chocolate Lovers’ Dream: Stir in a quarter cup of chocolate chips or cacao nibs into the oatmeal mixture for a touch of chocolatey indulgence.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the warm spice profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of allspice to the oatmeal or crumb topping alongside the cinnamon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baked Oatmeal Perfection
Creating this delicious Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect breakfast:
- Prepare Your Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to a cozy 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. In the bottom of this prepared dish, combine your old-fashioned rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and any optional seeds (flax, chia, or hemp). Use a wooden spoon or whisk to mix these dry ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the almond milk, vanilla extract, unsweetened applesauce, and maple syrup directly into the dish with the dry mixture. Stir everything together until the ingredients are just combined and the oats are evenly moistened. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a food processor or blender, pulse ⅓ cup of old-fashioned rolled oats until a fine, flour-like consistency is achieved. Then, add the very cold butter (or vegan butter), sugar (raw, coconut, or cane), and cinnamon to the food processor. Pulse a few more times until the mixture is well combined and forms coarse, crumbly pieces. Evenly sprinkle this delicious crumb topping over the prepared baked oatmeal mixture in the dish.
4. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. The oatmeal is ready when it is set in the center and the crumb topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and looks crisp. Let it cool slightly before serving to allow it to firm up.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal is incredibly versatile for meal prepping, ensuring you have a healthy and delicious breakfast ready to go for days! Proper storage ensures its freshness and delightful taste.
Refrigeration: Once baked and cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual servings into airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. This makes it ideal for preparing a batch on Sunday to enjoy throughout the busy work week.
Freezing: For longer storage, this baked oatmeal freezes beautifully. Allow the entire dish to cool completely. Then, portion it into individual servings. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply transfer a frozen portion to the refrigerator overnight to thaw, or reheat directly from frozen.
Reheating: To reheat refrigerated portions, simply warm them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. If reheating a larger portion or from frozen, you can bake it again in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes (or longer if frozen) until thoroughly warmed. For frozen individual servings, you can microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway, until warm.
What to Serve with Your Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal
While this baked oatmeal is undoubtedly delicious on its own, you can easily round it out into a more complete and satisfying meal. For a savory contrast, consider serving it alongside crispy turkey bacon or eggs prepared in your favorite way, such as our hearty crockpot breakfast casserole or an easy Instant Pot frittata. A vibrant side of fresh fruit or our refreshing winter fruit salad adds a lovely burst of freshness and extra vitamins.
Explore More Delicious Baked Oatmeal Recipes
If you love this Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal, you’ll definitely want to try some of our other fantastic baked oatmeal creations for more healthy and delicious breakfast options:
- TikTok Blender Baked Oats
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- One Pan Baked Oats
- Blueberry Baked Oatmeal | Cookie and Kate
Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal
This coffee cake baked oatmeal is like dessert for breakfast! Gluten and dairy-free friendly (can even be vegan) and made from real, whole food ingredients, this cozy baked oatmeal recipe is a new favorite.
Author: Nancylynn
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Servings: 6 servings
4.79 from 19 votes
Print Recipe | Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal:
- 1 ¾ cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1-2 Tbsp flax, chia, or hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk (or sub whatever milk you have on hand)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (can sub mashed banana)
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup
For the Crumb Topping:
- ⅓ cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 2 Tbsp raw sugar, coconut sugar, or cane sugar (for a less sweet version, reduce sugar by half)
- 2 Tbsp cold butter or vegan butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spray an 8×8-inch pan with cooking oil spray. Add oats to the bottom of the pan, along with baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and seeds. Mix well.
- Stir in almond milk, vanilla extract, applesauce, and maple syrup.
- For the topping, pulse ⅓ cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats in a food processor or blender until a fine flour forms. Add in cold butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Pulse a few times or until mixed together and crumbly.
- Top baked oatmeal mixture with crumb topping.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes or until oatmeal is set and topping looks crisp and golden brown.
- Serve warm, perhaps with a delicious drizzle of melted nut butter on top!
Recipe Video
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 YELLOW, 1 TSP, 1-2 sweetener TSP (per serving)
WW: 6 points (per serving) [Calculated using ground flax, unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 Tbsp raw sugar, and butter]
Substitutions and Additions:
- For Gluten-Free baked Oatmeal, be sure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- For Dairy-Free or Vegan Baked Oatmeal, use a non-dairy milk of your choice, and use chilled vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter.
- Want even more of a dessert feel? Drizzle with the cream cheese frosting from our Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe!
- To brighten up the flavors, add some fresh or frozen blueberries and make Blueberry Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 186kcal
Carbohydrates: 29g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 201mg
Potassium: 144mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 8g
Vitamin A: 124IU
Vitamin C: 0.2mg
Calcium: 71mg
Iron: 1mg
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
- While you technically *can*, we highly recommend against using quick oats for this recipe. Quick oats are pre-cooked and finely cut, which means they absorb liquid much faster and can result in a mushy, less desirable texture in baked oatmeal. Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best chewy, hearty texture.
- How can I make this baked oatmeal sweeter or less sweet?
- To make it sweeter, you can increase the amount of maple syrup in the oatmeal base or the sugar in the crumb topping. You could also add a drizzle of extra maple syrup or a dash of powdered sugar glaze after baking. For a less sweet version, reduce the maple syrup by half or omit it entirely from the oatmeal, and reduce the sugar in the crumb topping as well.
- Is it possible to prepare this recipe ahead of time?
- Absolutely! This Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal is fantastic for meal prep. You can assemble the entire dish (oatmeal base and crumb topping) the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. In the morning, simply pop it into the preheated oven and bake as directed. This saves a lot of time on busy mornings!
- What’s the best way to ensure the crumb topping is truly crumbly?
- The key to a perfectly crumbly topping is to use very cold butter (or vegan butter). The cold butter, when pulsed with the oats and sugar, creates small pockets that resist melting quickly in the oven, leading to that distinct, crisp streusel texture. If your butter is too soft, it will combine too much with the other ingredients and result in a more cake-like topping.
We hope you love this Coffee Cake Baked Oatmeal as much as we do! It’s truly a wholesome and comforting dish that brings joy to any breakfast table. Enjoy the delicious flavors and the ease of a healthy, meal-prepped morning. Happy baking!
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