Ingredients
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Rolled oats — 2 cups — Old-fashioned oats for the best texture (not quick oats)
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Baking powder — 1 tsp — Helps the bake set light and sliceable
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Cinnamon — 1 tsp — Apple-pie warmth in every bite
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Nutmeg — ½ tsp — A cozy, aromatic lift
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Fine salt — ¼ tsp — Balances sweetness
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Almond milk — 1¾ cups — Unsweetened; dairy milk works, too
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Eggs — 2 — Bind and create a custardy set
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Pure maple syrup — ⅓ cup — Natural sweetness; rich caramel notes
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Pure vanilla extract — 2 tsp — Bakery-style aroma
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Apples, diced small — 2 medium — Peel if you prefer a softer texture
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Pecans (or other nuts), chopped — ½ cup — Adds crunch; optional extra for topping
Tip: Dice apples small and evenly (pea-to-blueberry size) so they soften fully within the bake time.
Instructions
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Preheat & prep the pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch casserole dish (or line with parchment for easy lift-out). Metal pan? Start checking at 38 minutes—metal browns faster than glass.
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Mix dry: In a large bowl, whisk oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until spices are evenly dispersed.
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Whisk wet: In a medium bowl, whisk almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth and homogenous. Room-temp milk and eggs combine more easily and set more evenly.
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Combine, fold in: Pour wet into dry; stir to moisten. Fold in apples and pecans gently. Avoid overmixing to keep a light, custardy crumb.
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Fill & top: Spread into the prepared dish; press lightly so oats are fully soaked. Sprinkle extra apple bits and pecans on top if desired.
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Bake: Bake uncovered 40–45 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the center feels set when tapped; edges should look a little toasty. Using 9×9 or 7×11? Start checking at 35 minutes.
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Cool & serve: Cool 5 minutes, slice, and serve warm. Great with Greek yogurt or a splash of warm milk and a dusting of cinnamon.
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Store: Cool completely; refrigerate airtight. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven. (See Notes for full storage guidance.)
Notes
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Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze tightly wrapped slices up to 3 months; thaw overnight and warm before serving.
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Dietary swaps:
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Dairy-free: Use unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk.
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Egg-free: Substitute 2 flax “eggs” (2 Tbsp ground flax + 6 Tbsp water; rest 5 min). Texture will be a bit softer.
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Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
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Nut-free: Omit pecans or swap with pumpkin/sunflower seeds.
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Sweetness: For less sweet, reduce maple syrup to ¼ cup; for dessert-leaning, add 1–2 Tbsp more.
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Add-ins: Raisins or dried cranberries (¼–⅓ cup), or ½ tsp apple pie spice in place of cinnamon/nutmeg.
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Serving ideas: Warm milk or cream, Greek yogurt, extra cinnamon, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 9 squares
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
- Cholesterol: 41 mg