Warm cinnamon spices with the comforting taste of oats and baked apples. These apple baked oatmeal cups are the perfect option for an on-the-go snack!
I wish you could smell my house right now. These baked oatmeal cups are full of all your favourite apple pie flavours with the added bonus of nutritious ingredients. Meaning you can have dessert for breakfast everyday!
Why you need these gluten free apple cinnamon muffins
At the beginning of every week I always try to prep at least one thing I can grab for a quick snack or meal if I am short on time. These apple pie oatmeal cups are perfect! They can be made in just over 30 minutes, freeze perfectly and are packed with protein and whole grains. They're such a great option for anyone who's always on the go.
Don't believe me? Here are four reasons why you NEED these apple oatmeal muffins:
- They are so easy to make: Seriously all you need is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes while they bake (use this time to do that task around the house you've been putting off) and you will be eating these fresh out of the oven apple baked oatmeal cups!
- They are the perfect balanced breakfast: Protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates- what more could a Dietitian ask for in a balanced breakfast? These Apple oatmeal muffins are the ULTIMATE breakfast. Pair them with a little Greek yogurt for an even better gluten free high protein breakfast to get your day going!
- They're perfect for meal prep: The bes part about these muffins is that their portable! Make a batch before a busy week and you'll have breakfasts or snacks ready to grab whenever you need them!
- They are flourless! All you need for the base of these muffins is oats, if you choose to use gluten free certified oats these are the perfect gluten free apple muffins to start your day!
Is Breakfast the most Important Meal of the Day?
You might be coming to find these apple baked oatmeal cups after seeing my 'there's no reason to skip breakfast' series on Instagram and Tik tok. Or you may have just stumbled upon this page. No matter the reason I need to take a moment to clear up a misconception. Breakfast is in fact not the most important meal of the day. All meals are important because they fuel your body. SO my message is please do not skip breakfast, or lunch or even dinner!
As someone who understand mornings can be busy I completely get the tendency to skip breakfast. Why lose 10 extra minutes of sleep right? HOWEVER the Registered Dietitian in me strongly believes that every single person should have time for breakfast. It doesn't need to be overly complicated! Recipes like these apple baked oatmeal cups or banana bread oatmeal cups are perfect options for a quick and easy grab and go breakfast.
All you need is 10 minutes of prep time, and you can do WHATEVER you want while these bake. So whip these up on a Sunday night while you're watching your favourite show or scrolling on Tiktok and you are set for the entire week!
Other great meal prep options:
Other than these baked apple oatmeal cups, I also love the following recipes for easy 15 minutes or less prep time brekafast recipes that lasty ou the entire week!
- layered chia pudding
- banana bread oatmeal cups
- sweet potato egg nests
- spinach and feta egg cups
- quinoa cups
- cheesecake overnight oats
What Ingredients do I need for gluten free apple muffins?
Oats- Quick, minute or rolled! Any oats will work for these oats cups.
Collagen Powder- I love adding collagen powder to these apple baked oat cups for a little extra protein boost. However if collagen is not something you have on hand you can easily substitute with any unflavoured or vanilla protein powder or a little bit of oat flour!
Apple Pie Spice- Buy a pre-made apple pie spice. Or make your own using ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon following the measurements in the recipe below!
Maple Syrup- For a touch of natural sweetness! I have never tested these oat cups with any other sweetener. However I am sure honey would also work (if you try let me know in the comments)!
Apple Sauce- I add apple sauce to this recipe for some added apple flavour. I love using an unsweetened apple sauce because I find it's already sweet enough without additional sugar!
Eggs- I use a full egg in this recipe. This helps to find together the oats with the spices and other dry ingredients. If you are vegan or are unable to consume eggs feel free to substitute with a flax egg. You can make a flax egg by combining 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoon water and allowing it to sit for 15 minutes.
Apple- Feel free to use any variety of apple you like! I personally love honey crisp apples but red delicious, Cortland, gala any will work just fine.
I love see my recipes in action! If you make these apple baked oatmeal cups, don't forget to tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment on the recipe below letting me know how it turned out!
📖 Recipe
Apple Baked Oatmeal Cups
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups oats quick, minute or rolled work!
- ¼ cup unflavoured collagen powder protein powder or oat flour also work!
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon apple pie spice (or 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg,⅛ teaspoon ginger)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup milk of choice
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 egg or flax egg
- 1 medium apple diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a muffin pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (except the diced apples!)
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, and stir until well combined.
- Fold in the diced apples
- Evenly spoon batter into each muffin cup.
- Bake for 24-27 minutes.
Makenna
An easy and delicious meal prep for breakfasts for the week! #nourishedholiday
Sheila
Would love to try this but I have type 2 diabetes and need to know the nutrition info.
Nicole Addison
Hi Sheila, I don’t provide the nutrition information for my recipes as many of my community members have struggled with eating disorders/ disordered eating but there are many trackers online that the ingredients can be inputted into to provide you with the information you need! I am so sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Sandy
I loved this recipe! I used almond milk, 1 tbsp. chia, 1 tbsp. flax, 1 serving pea protein powder, and 1/4 c. chopped walnuts. I cut out tiny strawberry hearts to put on each muffin before baking. These muffins were a big hit with small children and adults alike!
Nicole Addison
Hi Sandy,
I am so glad you enjoyed- those substitutions sounds AMAZING!
Nicole
Francine Metcalf
What can you use instead of pnut butter as I have an allergy to nut butters.
Nicole Addison
Hi Francine, sunbutter will work if you are able to eat that! Otherwise I haven't tried any other substitutions - you could try adding some plain Greek yogurt instead! If you try let me know how it turns out 🙂