Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Continuing on in my search of the perfect breakfast food to grab on the go, I bring you the apple cinnamon baked oatmeal.  As someone who really prefers savory breakfasts, even I have to admit that this oatmeal is pretty tremendous.  I know oatmeal may not be the most exciting- sounding food, but this is as exciting as baked oatmeal gets.  It pretty much tastes like an apple pie - and yet it's pretty healthy, and reheats really well; I made it one weekend when my family was inundated with apples, and Kenzie and I took it to work for a few mornings until it was gone - but to be honest, we ate so much the first night that there just weren't enough days that we got to enjoy this breakfast!

It comes together pretty easily: combine the dry ingredients, combine the wet, mix, add apples, and bake!  It comes out with a lovely baked oatmeal texture but seriously it tastes like a pie.

The recipe suggests serving it with different items for sprinkling on top, like raisins, dried fruit, or nuts.  Most of us felt that none of these things were needed, but my mother added walnuts to hers and was quite happy.  Feel free to sprinkle goodies on top as needed!

Recipe:

Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal
from Two Peas and their Pod
yield: serves 4-6

Ingredients:
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large Granny Smith apple, peered, cored and diced

optional toppings:
brown sugar
raisins
dried cranberries
chopped almonds
chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

2) In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.

3) In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, apple sauce, butter, egg whites, and vanilla.  Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until combined. Gently stir in diced apples.  Pour oatmeal mixture into prepared pan.

4) Bake for 20 minutes or until oatmeal is golden brown and set.  Remove from oven and serve warm.  Add additional toppings to baked oatmeal if desired.