Apple and cinnamon breakfast oat bake

This bake sits somewhere between porridge and a soft oat square. It is meant to be moist inside, with a lightly golden top and little pieces of apple throughout. Mix it in one bowl, then use its oven time to make tea and find the missing breakfast spoons.

At a glance

Makes 6 portions. Prep: 15 minutes. Bake: 35–40 minutes. Rest: 10 minutes. Total: about 65 minutes.

Ingredients

• 200 g rolled oats, about 2 cups
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs
• 480 ml milk, about 2 cups
• 25 g brown sugar, about 2 tablespoons
• 30 g butter, melted and cooled, plus a little for the dish
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, cored and cut into small cubes, about 300 g prepared

Make it together

A child can measure oats, stir the dry ingredients, and scatter prepared apple pieces into the bowl. A grownup uses the knife, melts the butter, and moves the dish into and out of the oven.

1. Heat the oven to 190°C / 375°F. Grease a 20 cm / 8-inch square baking dish.
2. Stir the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl.
3. In a jug, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, cooled butter, and vanilla until combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the oats. Add the apple and stir so it is evenly distributed.
5. Tip into the prepared dish. Spread the oats level and gently move any large clusters of apple apart.
6. Bake for 35–40 minutes. The top should be lightly golden and the centre set, without liquid pooling when you gently move the dish.
7. Leave for 10 minutes before cutting or scooping. This rest helps the oats settle.

To serve

Spoon into bowls with a little extra milk if you like a softer breakfast. For neat portions, use a spatula after the resting time; for an early-riser breakfast, a spoon works just as well. Use rolled oats rather than instant porridge powder or steel-cut oats, which absorb liquid differently.

Illustrative food photograph; the finished recipe may look different. Photo: Anshu A / Unsplash.