Baked Oatmeal Recipes: 14 Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Bakes That Taste Like Dessert for Breakfast

These baked oatmeal recipes are the easiest way to put a warm, cake-like breakfast on the table on Christmas morning without missing a single gift being opened. You stir everything together the night before, slide one pan into the oven while the coffee brews, and serve soft squares that taste like apple pie, gingerbread or a cinnamon roll. Interest in baked oatmeal climbs every December and peaks in January, and the most-rated version on one big recipe site has more than a thousand reviews, so plenty of families already know the trick. If you are planning a whole spread, pair one of these pans with our Ina Garten Christmas brunch favorites. Below are 14 festive bakes, from a classic Amish-style pan to grab-and-go bites, each with a short ingredient list and simple steps..

Christmas Morning Cranberry Apple Pecan Baked Oatmeal

This is the pan that makes houseguests wander into the kitchen in their pajamas. Tart cranberries burst in the oven, diced apples turn jammy, and toasted pecans give every square a little crunch under a glossy maple drizzle. Like most baked oatmeal recipes, it looks like you were up at dawn, yet it took ten minutes the night before. Of all the baked oatmeal recipes in this list, this one says Christmas loudest, and it sits happily next to a make-ahead holiday quiche on a crowded brunch table..

You will need: 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 diced apple, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Grease an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. 2. Mix oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a bowl. 3. Whisk milk, eggs, maple syrup, butter and vanilla, then stir into the oats. 4. Fold in apple, cranberries and pecans and pour into the dish. 5. Cover and chill overnight, or bake right away at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes until set and golden. 6. Drizzle with extra maple syrup and cut into squares.

Classic Amish-Style Church Breakfast Pan

Long before it went viral, baked oatmeal was a church-breakfast staple in Amish and Mennonite kitchens, where one big pan had to feed a long table. The classic version, the grandmother of modern baked oatmeal recipes, is sweet, buttery and slightly chewy at the edges, often studded with raisins and nuts and eaten warm with cold milk poured over the top. Oats have been a breakfast grain for centuries, as the history of oatmeal shows, and this pan is a lovely nod to that. Find more of these thrifty dishes in our roundup of Amish family recipes.

You will need: 3 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and butter a 9×9 pan. 2. Stir oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together. 3. Whisk milk, eggs and butter and mix into the dry ingredients. 4. Fold in raisins and walnuts. 5. Spread in the pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes. 6. Serve warm in bowls with cold milk poured over.

Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal

All the cozy flavor of a holiday pie, with none of the rolling pin. Thin apple slices go on top so they caramelize in the oven, while a sprinkle of brown sugar oat streusel bakes into a crisp lid. The middle stays soft and custardy, almost like bread pudding. A splash of cream on top makes it feel like dessert for breakfast. If your family loves this flavor, our glazed apple fritter ideas are another weekend treat worth trying. This is one of the baked oatmeal recipes kids ask for again on New Year’s Day.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 2 apples (one diced, one thinly sliced), 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt. Streusel: 1/4 cup oats, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cold butter.

How to make it: 1. Mix oats, spice, baking powder and salt. 2. Whisk milk, eggs, sugar and butter and stir in. 3. Fold in the diced apple and pour into a greased dish. 4. Fan the apple slices on top. 5. Rub the streusel ingredients together and scatter over. 6. Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes until golden.

Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal With Molasses

Molasses gives this bake a deep, dark color and that unmistakable gingerbread smell that fills the house while everyone is still in pajamas. Ground ginger, cinnamon and a little clove bring the warmth, and chopped crystallized ginger adds sweet, chewy pops. A spoon of thick vanilla yogurt on top cools it down perfectly. It tastes like the cookie jar version of Christmas, and it is one of the most fragrant baked oatmeal recipes you can make. For more spiced holiday baking, browse our festive gingerbread treats before the big day.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, 2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger.

How to make it: 1. Grease an 8×8 dish. 2. Combine oats, spices, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk milk, eggs, molasses, sugar and butter, then stir together. 4. Fold in crystallized ginger. 5. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes. 6. Cut into squares and top with vanilla yogurt.

Cranberry Orange Oat Cups

Bright orange zest and tart cranberries are a classic holiday pairing, and baking them in paper cups turns the idea into little single servings that guests can grab on the way to the tree. A few sliced almonds on top toast in the oven and add crunch. Like many baked oatmeal recipes, they also travel well for a Christmas Eve drive to grandma’s. Leftover cranberries from the sauce? This is a great place to use them, and you can find even more ideas in our list of cranberry desserts for the holidays.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, zest of 1 orange, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup cranberries, 1/4 cup sliced almonds.

How to make it: 1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin. 2. Mix oats, zest, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk juice, milk, eggs, honey and butter and stir in. 4. Fold in cranberries. 5. Spoon into cups and top with almonds. 6. Bake at 350 F for 22 to 25 minutes.

Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal With Cream Cheese Drizzle

This one wins the vote at almost every holiday table. A buttery cinnamon-sugar swirl is spooned across the top before baking, so every slice has those sticky ribbons you love in a bakery roll. Once it comes out, a quick cream cheese icing goes on in zigzags. No yeast, no rising time and no rolling out dough on a busy morning. Fans of shortcut sweets will also enjoy our canned cinnamon roll hacks. Among the baked oatmeal recipes here, it is the biggest crowd-pleaser.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt. Swirl: 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Icing: 2 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk.

How to make it: 1. Mix the oat base and pour into a greased round dish. 2. Stir the swirl ingredients together and dollop over the top. 3. Drag a knife through to make swirls. 4. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes. 5. Beat the icing until smooth. 6. Drizzle over the warm bake.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Blueberries are the easy year-round fruit for a winter breakfast, because frozen berries work just as well as fresh and they burst into jammy purple pockets as the oats bake. Lemon zest makes the flavor pop. Spoon portions into small jars for a pretty buffet or keep it in one pan. If you like the idea of breakfast ready in a jar, our overnight oats and chia pudding jars are a no-bake cousin. Many of the best baked oatmeal recipes start with this simple blueberry base.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups blueberries, zest of 1 lemon, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Grease an 8×8 dish. 2. Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and zest. 3. Whisk milk, eggs, syrup and butter and stir in. 4. Fold in 1 cup of berries, pour into the dish and scatter the rest on top. 5. Bake at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes. 6. Spoon into bowls or small jars.

Banana Walnut Baked Oatmeal

Got spotty bananas on the counter? Mash two into the batter for natural sweetness and slice another over the top so it caramelizes into golden coins. Toasted walnuts add a buttery crunch, and a few figs or plums make it look festive for guests. Among cozy baked oatmeal recipes, the result tastes a lot like warm banana bread, but you eat it with a spoon. For more ways to use ripe fruit, see our favorite banana bread recipes.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 3 ripe bananas (2 mashed, 1 sliced), 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, optional figs or plums.

How to make it: 1. Mix the mashed bananas with milk, egg, syrup and butter. 2. Stir in oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. 3. Fold in half the walnuts. 4. Spread on a lined sheet pan or dish. 5. Top with banana slices, fruit and remaining nuts. 6. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Berry Baked Oatmeal Cake

Think of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich turned into a breakfast cake. Peanut butter is whisked into the batter, and a ring of fresh strawberries and blueberries crowns the top. Baking it in a springform pan means you can unclip the sides and slice it into wedges like a birthday cake, which kids adore on Christmas morning, and it is easily the most playful of these baked oatmeal recipes. A spoon of jam on each plate finishes the idea. Peanut butter lovers should also bookmark our peanut butter blossom cookies for the cookie tray.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, strawberry jam for serving.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. 2. Whisk peanut butter, milk, eggs, honey and vanilla until smooth. 3. Stir in oats, baking powder and salt. 4. Pour into the pan and arrange berries in rings on top. 5. Bake at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes. 6. Cool 10 minutes, unclip and slice with jam.

Chocolate Chip Grab-and-Go Bites

These grab-and-go bites are perfect for the morning chaos of present opening, road trips to family and sledding breaks. The batter is a little thicker than a pan bake, so you can scoop it into rounds or press it into a pan and cut squares. Mini chocolate chips make it feel like a treat. They freeze beautifully, like most baked oatmeal recipes, so make a double batch. Love portable oat snacks? Our homemade granola bars are another lunchbox favorite.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a sheet pan. 2. Mix all ingredients except chips until thick. 3. Fold in chocolate chips. 4. Scoop rounds onto the pan and flatten slightly, or press into an 8×8 pan. 5. Bake 18 to 22 minutes. 6. Cool, then cut or stack and store.

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal Cups

A can of pumpkin puree makes these muffin-tin bites moist and tender for days. Pumpkin pie spice gives them a warm holiday flavor, and a few chocolate chips or pecans on top make them look bakery-ready. Because each cup is a single serving, they are ideal for houseguests who wake up at different times. Pop one in the microwave for 20 seconds and breakfast is done. For more little bakes, see our muffin tin recipes collection, and add these to your list of baked oatmeal recipes for busy mornings.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 3/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, optional pecans or chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. 2. Whisk pumpkin, milk, eggs, syrup and butter. 3. Stir in oats, spice, baking powder and salt. 4. Divide among cups and add toppings. 5. Bake at 350 F for 22 to 25 minutes. 6. Cool 5 minutes before lifting out.

Pear and Maple Breakfast Bake

Pears are underrated in winter baking. Sliced and fanned like flower petals over the oats, they turn tender and honey-sweet, and pure maple syrup brings out their gentle flavor. A pinch of cardamom makes it smell like a Scandinavian bakery. Of all the fruity baked oatmeal recipes, it is elegant enough for a holiday brunch with in-laws and still easy enough for a Tuesday. For more fruit-forward ideas, try our pear and fig desserts.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 2 ripe pears (1 diced, 1 sliced), 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, chopped walnuts.

How to make it: 1. Grease a glass baking dish. 2. Mix oats, spices, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk milk, eggs, syrup and butter and stir in. 4. Fold in diced pear and pour into the dish. 5. Arrange pear slices in a flower pattern and sprinkle nuts. 6. Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes and drizzle with maple.

Overnight Make-Ahead Baked Oatmeal

Here is the real secret behind every recipe on this list: assemble tonight, bake in the morning. Put the dry oats and spices in your baking dish, whisk the wet ingredients in a jar, and keep both in the fridge. In the morning, pour, stir, add berries and bake while the stockings are emptied. Leftover squares freeze well for up to three months; reheat them in the microwave or a warm oven. For more holiday prep that saves your sanity, read our holiday freezer meals guide. Make-ahead baked oatmeal recipes really are a host’s best friend.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup berries or chopped fruit.

How to make it: 1. The night before, put oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a greased dish and cover. 2. Whisk milk, eggs, syrup, butter and vanilla in a jar and refrigerate. 3. In the morning, heat the oven to 350 F. 4. Shake the jar, pour over the oats and stir. 5. Scatter fruit on top. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, then cool, cut and freeze extras.

Slow Cooker Oat Bake for a Crowd

When the house is full and the oven is busy with a ham or cinnamon rolls, let the slow cooker take over. A greased crock turns a double batch of oats, apples and raisins into a soft, spoonable bake that stays warm for hours on the buffet. Set out bowls, maple syrup and berries so everyone can serve themselves. It is the most relaxed of all the baked oatmeal recipes here. For more set-and-forget dishes, check our crockpot potluck recipes.

You will need: 4 cups rolled oats, 2 diced apples, 1/2 cup raisins, 3 cups milk, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Grease a 6-quart slow cooker well. 2. Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla. 3. Stir in oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. 4. Fold in apples and raisins. 5. Cook on low 3 to 4 hours or high 2 hours until set at the center. 6. Keep on warm and serve with toppings.