Hearty Baked Oatmeal with Tangy Cranberries
45
min
194
Calories
4g
Fats
29g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Discover a comforting, hearty breakfast with our Baked Oatmeal with Dried Cranberries recipe. Perfect for busy mornings or a festive Christmas brunch, this gluten-free and dairy-free dish is both nutritious and delicious, with a tangy twist from the cranberries.
Ingredients:
Step 1: Preheating the Oven
Start your baked oatmeal journey by preheating the oven to 350°F (177°C). This is an essential step as a properly preheated oven ensures that your oatmeal bakes evenly and ends up with that deliciously crispy top and soft center that we all love. By setting the oven to the right temperature ahead of time, you won't have to wait around and your breakfast will be ready faster!
Pro Tip: Place your rack in the middle for the most even heat distribution.
Step 2: Mixing Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This step is not only about combining your ingredients but also about ensuring that the baking powder and spices are evenly distributed throughout the oats. This way, every bite of your baked oatmeal will have that perfect blend of flavors and textures.
Pro Tip: For a flavor twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger.
Step 3: Combining Liquid Ingredients
In a separate, smaller bowl, mix your wet ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of your choice of milk, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds. Mixing these separately ensures that the flaxseeds have a chance to become gelatinous, which can add a lovely texture to your oatmeal. Plus, the maple syrup blends more evenly throughout the milk, distributing sweetness in every spoonful.
Pro Tip: Let the flaxseeds soak in the milk mixture for a few minutes to thicken.
Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry Mixes
Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined. You'll notice the dried cranberries distributing throughout the mix, offering pops of color and tangy sweetness. This mixture is the soul of your baked oatmeal, marrying the robust flavors and textures into a cohesive batter. Seeing it all come together like this is so satisfying!
Pro Tip: Fold in the cranberries gently to avoid breaking them.
Step 5: Preparing the Baking Pan
Grab your favorite baking dish and give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. The size of the pan can influence the thickness of your baked oatmeal - a smaller pan means a thicker oatmeal. Whether you like it thick and cake-like or thinner and more crisp, just adjust the size of your pan accordingly. Don’t forget to preheat your oven to 350°F if you haven’t done so already.
Pro Tip: Use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Step 6: Baking the Oatmeal
Pour the oatmeal mixture into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Then, pop it in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden-brown and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan. The waiting is the hardest part, but it gives you a perfect window to tidy up, brew a cup of coffee, or simply relax and anticipate the delicious breakfast that’s coming.
Pro Tip: Check the oatmeal at the 30-minute mark to prevent over-baking.
