Say hello to your new favorite breakfast! This healthy blueberry baked oatmeal with applesauce is an easy make-ahead breakfast that’s filling and delicious! Due to its soft texture and mouthwatering flavor, these baked oats are a great option for whole family. The chewy oats are flavored with warm cinnamon, nutty almond butter, sweet maple syrup, and fresh blueberries for little explosions of berry flavor in every bite! The perfect healthy breakfast for meal prep, and it’s freezer-friendly too! (Gluten-free & vegetarian)
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Easy Baked Oatmeal with No Banana
These days, we are all about the baked oatmeal, especially this Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal. Blueberries and almonds taste so good together, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Even the kids love it, so I like to make a batch on the weekend for an easy heat-and-go breakfast on those crazy busy mornings when we need to get breakfast on the table ASAP. It’s seriously a life saver.
Best of all, this blueberry oatmeal bake is incredibly simple to make. You basically just mix everything together in a bowl and bake. It’s the perfect balance of healthy, easy, and delicious!
Featured Comment
Thank you for a great recipe! I made it for my family of seven, and we all enjoyed it! – Kristi
If you’re looking for more healthy baked oatmeal recipes, be sure to also try my Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal, Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars and Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal!
Why We Love This Blueberry Almond Baked Oatmeal Recipe
- Sweetened with applesauce instead of bananas for a milder flavor
- Formulated by a Registered Dietitian to offer plenty of vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, protein and fiber all with less sugar
- Wholesome breakfast that will keep you satisfied for hours and a nice energy boost!
- This is a great base recipe you can adapt for different dietary needs, like making it nut-free, gluten-free, or vegan
- Great way to meal prep for an easy heat-and-serve breakfast on busy mornings
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have
Ingredient Notes
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Rolled oats are generally best to use for oatmeal bakes. They have the perfect soft and chewy texture. In a pinch, you can use quick oats but it’s best to avoid steel-cut oats as their texture is too tough and chewy. Use gluten-free certified oats if you have an intolerance.
- Baking powder: A little baking powder helps to lighten the oats so that they’re not so dense in texture.
- Milk: You can use dairy or any plant-based milk alternative. I usually use unsweetened almond milk.
- Unsweetened apple sauce and pure maple syrup: To sweeten the baked oats without the use of refined sugar. You can also sub in honey if desired.
- Eggs: To bind the ingredients together. For a vegan version, use chia or flax eggs instead.
- Almond butter: Provides additional moisture to the baked oatmeal, along with some healthy fats and protein. You can sub in another nut or seed butter if preferred.
- Blueberries: I love the addition of blueberries in this oatmeal. They provide a subtle burst of flavor and natural sweetness that we can’t get enough of! They could easily be replaced with other fruits or berries, too, like fresh apples, raisins, raspberries, your favorite dried fruit, etc.
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce – Step-by-Step
- First, you’ll need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish.
- Next, mix all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the blueberries and fold into the mixture.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for several minutes before serving. Top with desired toppings.
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Expert Tips
- Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for at least 15-20 minute before cutting it and removing it from the pan to give it a chance to firm up.
- If using frozen blueberries, add them from a frozen state (not a thawed state) to prevent them from releasing too much moisture into the baked oatmeal.
- If you wish to make this recipe with no added sugar, don’t add the quarter cup of maple syrup, and instead add one cup total unsweetened applesauce. This is especially recommended if serving to babies under the age of one.
- If serving to babies or toddlers, I recommend not adding the sliced almonds on top of the baked oatmeal as they may be a choking hazard.
Storage Guidelines
To refrigerate: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week in the baking pan covered with saran wrap or store the individual portions in an airtight container. Let it cool fully before storing to keep it nice and fresh.
To freeze: These baked oats are freezer-friendly and will keep well for up to 3 months. Cover it with foil or plastic wrap before placing it into a freezer safe container or bag to prevent freezer burn.
Defrost overnight in the fridge to enjoy the next morning, or warm it up in the microwave from frozen.
To reheat
You can enjoy this baked oatmeal cold, but I much prefer to serve it warm.
Oven: Warm it in the oven at 350 degrees F, covering the top with foil, for around 20 minutes or until warmed through.
Microwave: Heat individual squares in the microwave on full power for one minute. Perfect for a busy morning!
Recipe FAQs
It’s totally up to you! Both fresh or frozen blueberries work for this recipe.
I often find that frozen are more convenient since we always have some on hand, but both work great. If you are using frozen, don’t thaw them as their juices and color can leak into the other ingredients, and release too much moisture. Instead, add them to the mixture straight from the freezer.
They can be, but many recipes are loaded with sugar and butter. They can spike your blood sugar, often contain excess calories and are not as heart-healthy. This recipe is formulated to be nutrient-dense so that you’re energized and nourished all day.
*Rolled oats – Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fiber which can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels, while also keeping you feeling full for longer. Not to mention, they can also improve your digestive health and keep you regular!
*Blueberries – Are jam-packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that may help prevent and slow the progression of chronic disease and aging. Sign me up!
*Almond Butter – Contains healthy fats which can help lower cholesterol and improve overall heart health. The extra dose of protein and fat also keeps you feeling full for longer!
*Applesauce – Acts as a natural sweetener so less added sugar is required. If you wish to avoid the added sugar in this recipe altogether, don’t add the quarter cup of maple syrup, and instead add one cup total unsweetened applesauce.
Seriously, can you go wrong with all of that goodness?!
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this healthy blueberry baked oatmeal as is OR you can add some additional toppings to spruce it up even further!
Some of my favorite toppings are:
- Fresh blueberries (or sub in other berries)
- A drizzle of almond butter
- A sprinkle of sliced almonds
- A dollop of Greek yogurt for extra protein
- Some dark chocolate chips
Recipe Variations
- To make nut-free: Sub in pumpkin seed or sunflower seed butter for almond butter. You could also try using melted coconut oil too. Leave off the sliced almonds.
- To make it no-added sugar: Sub in 1/4 cup additional unsweetened applesauce (for a total of one cup applesauce) for the maple syrup. Mashed overripe banana can also be used instead of applesauce.
- Add more protein: Add 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder for an extra dose of protein. You may need to increase the liquid slightly. You can also use egg whites instead of whole eggs, and add a sprinkle of chia seeds for extra plant-based protein.
More Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
- Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Oatmeal Muffins
- Raspberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce {No Banana}
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (use gluten-free oats, if necessary)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk or milk alternative
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup*
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Optional Toppings:
- Additional fresh blueberries
- Drizzle of almond butter
- Sliced almonds**
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish.
- Combine the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
- Next, add milk, applesauce, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, and almond butter. Stir to combine.
- Fold the blueberries into the mixture until evenly distributed.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the greased baking dish and distribute evenly with a spatula.
- Place in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- To serve, top with a drizzle of almond butter, fresh blueberries and sliced almonds, if desired.
Notes
- Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for at least 15-20 minute before cutting it and removing it from the pan to give it a chance to firm up.
- If using frozen blueberries, add them from a frozen state (not a thawed state) to prevent them from releasing too much moisture into the baked oatmeal.
- *If you wish to make this recipe with no sugar added, don’t add the quarter cup of maple syrup, and instead add one cup total unsweetened applesauce. This is especially recommended if serving to babies under the age of one.
- **If serving to babies or toddlers, I recommend not adding the sliced almonds on top of the baked oatmeal as they may be a choking hazard.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in March 2019 and was updated in May 2021 to include better tips and photos. The post was updated again in March 2025 to include revised text, photos and formatting.
This looks delicious! Can you tell me if the nutrition details are for the entire dish or per serving? Probably a dumb question but I’m still learning! Thanks!!!
Not a dumb question at all! The nutritional information is per serving, so for 1/8th of the baked oatmeal. Hope that helps!
can I substitute steel cut oats?
Unfortunately, I don’t think steel cut would work in this recipe since they tend to be more tough and gritty. To achieve the right texture, I would stick with rolled oats. Hope that helps!
Thank you for a great recipe! I made it for my family of seven, and we all enjoyed it!
So happy your family enjoyed it! Great make-ahead option to feed the whole family :) Thanks so much for stopping by to comment!