High Protein Baked Oatmeal (Apple Chai)

Make breakfast easy by prepping a batch of this High Protein Baked Oatmeal! Full of warming apple chai flavor, this baked oatmeal is not only delicious but it also packs in 16g of protein per serving. It’s a healthy and filling breakfast you can enjoy on even the busiest of mornings!

As a girly who is hungry almost immediately after waking up, I am so obsessed with having a healthy breakfast option prepped and ready for me in the fridge. And I must say, if I only had to eat one meal prep breakfast for the rest of my life….it would be this high protein baked oatmeal! It really is that good.

Not only is this baked oatmeal high in protein and a great source of complex carbs, but it’s also packed with fall flavor from the apples, applesauce and homemade chai spice blend. It feels so cozy, comforting and decadent yet it’s balanced and nourishing. Like is that not the ideal way to start your morning!?

Make a batch of this high protein baked oatmeal on Sunday and you’ll be able to fuel your body with something delicious even on the busiest of mornings. Pair it with some greek yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup or add on a side of bacon or chicken sausage links…you can’t go wrong! Hope you love this one and make it on repeat 🙂

Why You’ll Love this High Protein Baked Oatmeal

• It’s an easy and healthy meal prep breakfast option!
• This is full of warming chai spices and apple flavor.
• It’s high in protein – with 16g per serving!
• This baked oatmeal is a great source of complex carbs.
• It makes 6 servings so you’ll have breakfast ready for the whole week!
• It’s gluten free and can easily be made dairy free or vegan.
  

What You Need to Make this High Protein Baked Oatmeal

• Milk: Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work here but I prefer whole milk, which also offers more protein!
• Applesauce: To impart more apple flavor, we’re adding in some unsweetened applesauce.
• Maple Syrup: This high protein baked oatmeal is naturally sweetened with some pure maple syrup. Honey would probably work too!
• Avocado Oil: Feel free use melted and cooled butter or refined coconut oil instead.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs – I like pasture-raised.
• Vanilla Extract: Obvi!
• Old Fashioned Oats: The base of this high protein baked oatmeal is of course…old fashioned rolled oats (GF certified if necessary). Use Bob’s Red Mill Protein Oats to up the protein content even further!
• Vanilla Protein Powder: I have only tested this recipe with Wellious vegan vanilla protein powder which is made with simple ingredients and sweetened naturally with monkfruit. Plus, it doesn’t have a chalky texture.
• Ground Flaxseed: This is a great way to add a bit more fiber to the baked oatmeal. However, you can omit it if you don’t have any on hand.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent will help lighten the texture of the baked oatmeal.
• Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves, Nutmeg, Allspice & Kosher Salt: This makes up a homemade chai spice blend. Don’t stress if you don’t have one of these… it’ll still turn out great! You could also substitute about 1 tbsp of a store-bought chai spice blend, or even use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
• Apple: Dice up 1 small apple (no need to peel it) and add some of it into the batter, while placing the rest on top of the oatmeal.

How To Make this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Preheat Oven:

First, preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 9×9″ baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

Mix together Wet Ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, maple syrup, oil, eggs and vanilla extract until smooth and combined

Stir in Remaining Ingredients:

Then, add in the remaining ingredients (except for the apple) and stir with a spatula until combined. Stir in about ⅔ of the diced apple. Then, pour the baked oatmeal batter into the prepared baking dish. Scatter the remaining apple chunks evenly over the top of the oatmeal.

Bake, Cool & Cut:

Finally, transfer baking dish to the oven to cook for about 45 minutes, or until mostly set. I like to let it cool pretty thoroughly before slicing so that it firms up. However, if you prefer more crumbly, moist baked oatmeal, feel free to cut into it earlier. Divide into 6 slices and enjoy!

Looking to Boost the Protein Content Even Further? Try This!

This high protein baked oatmeal has about 16g of protein per serving as is, but you can increase it even further by using Bob’s Red Mill Protein Oats! This is one of my favorite life hacks, because the protein oats taste and perform almost exactly the same as normal old-fashioned rolled oats. However, there’s 60 grams of protein in 2 cups of these oats! If you go this route, adjust the nutrition info listed below the recipe card to have about 23g of protein per serving.

What If I Don’t Have all of these Spices?

As you’ll see in the recipe card below, this high protein baked oatmeal is packed with a bunch of warming, chai-inspired spices. A lot of them are common ones that you probably always have in your pantry, but some of them you may not.

If that’s the case, I’d recommend trying to buy a small amount of those spices from the bulk section of your grocery store. And if that’s not an option, feel free to substitute about 1 tbsp of store-bought chai spice blend. You could even switch it up and use pumpkin pie spice blend, apple pie spice blend or keep it simple by just using cinnamon. It’ll taste great no matter what!

Can I Make this Dairy Free? Vegan?

This high protein baked oatmeal can easily be made dairy free by using your preferred non-dairy milk. It’s best to use one that’s unsweetened and either unflavored or vanilla. Almond milk, cashew milk, or even oat milk would all be great options.

I have NOT tested a vegan version of this recipe yet, however I think it would work. Simply omit the eggs and instead turn the ground flaxseed into “flax eggs.” To do so, mix together the 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed with 5 tbsp of water. Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes, or until it turns into a gel-like consistency. Then, proceed with the recipe as written. Let me know how it goes if you try it!

What Should I Serve with this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal?

This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is delicious on it’s own, but I also love pairing it with some full-fat plain greek yogurt to increase the protein content and make it even more filling. It’s also delicious with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, some more chopped (or stewed) apples, or chopped nuts. The options are endless here!

Can I Freeze this High Protein Baked Oatmeal?

Yes! First, all the baked oatmeal to cool fully. Then, cut it into your desired portion size and transfer the individual slices to a parchment-lined tray or plate. Flash freeze them for several hours and then transfer them to a large freezer bag (I like using Stasher bags) or airtight container. The flash freeze will help them retain their shape and not stick together.

When you’re ready to eat the frozen baked oatmeal, you can simply remove it from the freezer, transfer it to a microwave-safe dish and microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.

Can I Meal Prep this High Protein Baked Oatmeal?

You bet! This high protein baked oatmeal is PERFECT for meal prep. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it as a quick grab-n-go breakfast throughout the week!

You can either keep it in the baking dish and simply cover it with plastic wrap or transfer the individual slices to a large airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days. See the section above for freezing instructions.

Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.

Looking for More Breakfasts Recipes?

• Tuscan Cottage Cheese and Egg Bake
• Meal Prep Chipotle Egg Bake
• Chocolate Protein Pancakes
• Berry Chia Pudding
• Vegan Tropical Smoothie
• High-Protein Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats
• Brownie Baked Oatmeal

5 from 10 votes

High Protein Baked Oatmeal (Apple Chai)

Make breakfast easy by prepping a batch of this High Protein Baked Oatmeal! Full of warming apple chai flavor, this baked oatmeal is not only delicious but it also packs in 16g of protein per serving. It's a healthy and filling breakfast you can enjoy on even the busiest of mornings!

Servings 6 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 31 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Equipment

• cutting board
• knife
• large bowl
• whisk
• spatula
• 9×9 baking dish

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups milk of choice (I use whole milk, 360ml)
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (140g)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (80ml)
• 3 tbsp avocado oil or melted & cooled butter or coconut oil (40ml)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (200g)*
• ½ packed cup vegan vanilla protein powder (78g)**
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed (12g) – can omit
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp cardamom
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup finely diced apple (about 1 small apple)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 9×9" baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, maple syrup, oil, eggs and vanilla extract until smooth and combined
  1.5 cups milk of choice, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup maple syrup, 3 tbsp avocado oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Then, add in the remaining ingredients (except for the apple) and stir with a spatula until combined.
  2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, ½ packed cup vegan vanilla protein powder, 2 tbsp ground flaxseed, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp cardamom, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp allspice, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Stir in about ⅔ of the diced apple. Then, pour the baked oatmeal batter into the prepared baking dish. Scatter the remaining apple chunks evenly over the top of the oatmeal.
  1 cup finely diced apple
• Transfer baking dish to the oven to cook for about 45 minutes, or until mostly set. I like to let it cool pretty thoroughly before slicing so that it firms up. However, if you prefer more crumbly, moist baked oatmeal, feel free to cut into it earlier. Divide into 6 slices and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*NOTE: To boost the protein content even further, use these Protein Oats from Bob’s Red Mill. There’s 60 grams of protein in 2 cups of these oats!

**NOTE: I highly recommend this protein powder from Wellious – it’s vegan, made with simple ingredients and is sweetened naturally with monkfruit. Plus, it doesn’t have a weird chalky texture. 

CHAI SPICES: This baked oatmeal is heavily spiced with a homemade chai spice blend, however if you don’t have any of these individual spices, feel free to substitute about 1 tbsp of store-bought chai spice blend. You could also use a pumpkin pie spice blend, apple pie spice blend or keep it simple by just using cinnamon!

NUTRITION INFO: The nutrition info listed below is an estimate per serving, but will vary based on what type of milk and protein powder you use, as well as whether or not you use protein oats.

Calories: 346kcal

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: Apple, Baked Oatmeal, Chai, Dairy Free, Fall Recipe, Gluten Free, High Fiber, High Protein, Meal Prep, Oatmeal, Refined Sugar Free, Sweet Breakfast, Vegetarian

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.