Say hello to your new favourite breakfast! This Healthy Blueberry Almond Baked Oatmeal with applesauce is an easy make-ahead breakfast that’s filling and delicious! Due to its soft texture and mouthwatering flavour, these baked oats are a great option for both little ones and adults. Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly too! (Gluten-free & vegetarian)
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Easy Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce
These days, we are all about the baked oatmeal, especially this Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal. Think juicy blueberries, applesauce, maple syrup and flavours of almond butter in every single bite. Yum!
While I always loved the concept of baked oatmeal, I never thought to make it all that much in my pre-kid years.
Now that we have little ones in the house, baked oatmeal is the go-to make-ahead breakfast in our house because it’s so easy to serve on those crazy busy mornings where we need to get breakfast on the table ASAP. It’s seriously a life saver.
The best part is, this blueberry oatmeal bake is incredibly simple to make. You basically just mix everything together in a bowl and bake.
Then you cut it into pieces, top with some additional berries, sliced almonds and a drizzle of almond butter and you’ve got the perfect balanced breakfast all ready to go!
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
- Healthy: Loaded with vitamins and minerals, this recipe is packed with healthy fats and has a good amount of protein and fibre to leave you feeling full and satisfied. Not to mention, it provides that perfect boost of energy to start the day!
- Easy to adapt: This is a great recipe if you, or someone in your family, has specific dietary needs. It’s easy to make it nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free or vegan.
- Make ahead: This is a total game changer for busy mornings. You can make up a batch for the week and it’s something that the whole family can enjoy with pretty much no work required. It’s freezer-friendly too!
- Simple ingredients: There isn’t a long list of ingredients required to make a big batch of these blueberry baked oats. You’ll probably have of most of the ingredients in your pantry or fridge already.
Ingredient Notes
- Oats: Rolled oats are generally best to use for baked oatmeal. 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.
- Unsweetened apple sauce and 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. You can also try using a chia or flax egg if you want to make this recipe vegan.
- 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 flavour and natural sweetness that we can’t get enough of! I typically use fresh but you can also use frozen.
Blueberry Oatmeal Bake – Step by Step Instructions
This recipe takes literally no time at all to prepare which is one of the reasons why I love it so much.
- 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 greased 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.
Recipe Tips for the best baked oats
- 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.
Recipe FAQs
How to store
You can store this baked oatmeal in the fridge for up to a week in the baking pan covered with saran wrap or store the individual pieces in an air-tight container. Let it cool fully before storing to keep it nice and fresh.
Can I freeze baked oatmeal?
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.
How to reheat
You can enjoy this baked oatmeal cold, but I much prefer to serve it warm.
To reheat, use one of the following methods:
Oven: You can reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F, covering the top with foil, for around 20 minutes or until warmed through.
Microwave: You can warm individual squares in the microwave on full power for one minute. Perfect for a busy morning!
Should I use fresh or frozen blueberries?
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 colour can leak into the other ingredients, and release too much moisture. Instead, add them to the mixture straight from the freezer.
Is this baked oats recipe a healthy option?
Definitely! Let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients!
- Rolled oats – Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fibre 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?!
I think not!
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 favourite toppings are:
- Fresh blueberries (or sub in other berries)
- A drizzle of almond butter
- A sprinkle of sliced almonds
Those would be my top three picks but feel free to get creative and add whatever you prefer!
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 dairy-free: Use a plant-based milk alternative such as almond milk or soy milk.
- 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.
- To make it vegan: Try subbing in chia or flax eggs for the eggs.
- Switch up the berries: You could also try adding raspberries, strawberries or blackberries.
More healthy baked oatmeal recipes:
- Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Oatmeal Muffins
- Raspberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
- Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a rating and review!
Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats use gluten-free oats, if necessary
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk or milk alternative
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup*
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tsp 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 7x11 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.
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!