Make breakfast easy with baked oatmeal
There’s something special about a breakfast that’s simple yet delicious, nourishing, and make-ahead friendly. Our baked oatmeals are all three of those things, and they’re always a hit. In fact, our baked oatmeals are some of our most popular recipes on our site, so we wanted to create and share one with you that’s perfect for the holidays. In every bite of our Ginger-Pear Baked Oatmeal, you’ll get a hint of gingerbread flavor, a burst of juicy fresh pear, and a little crunch from toasted pecans. Our Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is easy to make but also feels elevated, so it’s a perfect choice for your holiday breakfast. It’s designed so you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones during this special time of year.
Ingredients in Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Here are the ingredients that come together to make this healthy baked oatmeal recipe. Many of them are pantry and refrigerator staples you probably already have on hand:
Old fashioned rolled oats – if needed, choose certified gluten-free oats. Quick-cooking oats will also work, just producing a more firm textureGingerbread spices – you’ll need cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg Baking powderFine saltMaple syrup – you’ll taste a touch of seasonal sweetness from the addition of maple syrup. We love the maple flavor it provides, but you can also substitute honey, if you wishMolasses – this sweetener that is commonly found in gingerbread recipes and adds wonderful depth of flavor Unsweetened applesauce – you can also use plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt Eggs Milk of choice – use any dairy or unsweetened non-dairy milk you have on hand. For a dairy-free baked oatmeal, use a non-dairy milk, such as almond milkMelted unsalted butter – for dairy-free, substitute plant-based butter or melted coconut oil Pure vanilla extractFresh pear – we love the addition of fresh pear in this recipe. The flavor pairs so nicely with ginger. However, if you wish, you can use an apple instead, or try our Apple Cinnamon Baked OatmealPecans – toasted and chopped pecans add a nice crunch, and the toasting the nuts brings even more flavor. Feel free to substitute toasted walnuts or omit the pecans for a nut-free oatmealOptional for serving – top servings of this Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal with plain or vanilla yogurt, maple syrup, and/or toasted chopped pecans
How to make Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
All it takes is 15 to 20 minutes of prep time and 4 simple steps to get our Ginger-Pear Infused Baked Oatmeal on your table!
Preheat the oven to 375℉ and spray a 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish or pan with cooking spray.In a bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, maple syrup, applesauce, eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla. Stir until combined. Then, fold in the pears and 1/4 cup toasted pecans.Transfer batter to the prepared dish. Top with a few pear slices and more toasted pecans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the center is set.Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Then top with yogurt, maple syrup, toasted pecans, and or ground cinnamon as desired.
How to toast Pecans
Toasting is a great way to enhance the flavor of nuts and add a little extra crunch to them. We think that toasting nuts is always worth an extra 5 to 10 minutes. Our favorite methods are to toast nuts on the stovetop or directly in the oven.
To toast pecans on the stovetop:
Place a skillet over medium heat. Add nuts to the hot skillet, and then heat until the nuts give off a toasted aroma, 3-6 minutes. Be sure to stay near the stove, watch them closely, and stir often to avoid burning. Once the pecans are fragrant and golden brown, remove from heat.
To toast pecans in the oven:
Preheat the oven to 375℉. Place the pecans on a small sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Once pecans are fragrant and golden brown, remove from the oven.
What makes Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal Healthy?
Enjoy a wholesome and healthy breakfast that will set the tone for the day. Whether you choose to eat breakfast as soon as you wake up, or prefer it after a few hours of waking, what matters most is that it provides the fuel you need to tackle the day. If you like a savory breakfast, try our egg-dishes and hashes. If a sweet breakfast is more your style, check out our variety of oatmeals and muffins. This Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is made with real food ingredients that will nourish you and start your day right. For even more staying power, we recommend topping servings with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for a boost of protein.
Oats – an excellent source of a special type of fiber called beta-glucan, oats have been linked to lowering cholesterol and good blood sugar controlMolasses – it’s known as a sweetener, but molasses is actually an excellent source of iron, selenium, and copper, which are all needed for bone healthPear – among fruits, pears contain some of the highest amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber, making them a great food choice to help build your healthy gut bacteria and better immunity at the same timePecans – no matter how you pronounce their name, pecans pack a nutritious 1-2-3 punch of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to aid everything from your metabolism to your brain healthEggs – a nutritious package, whole eggs contain important nutrients, such as vitamin D, choline, and leucine that you don’t find in high quantities in many other everyday foods. These nutrients help support cell and muscle growth, as well as keeping your skin and brain nourished
How to meal prep gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
To meal prep this baked oatmeal, simply follow the recipe all the way through, then allow the baked oatmeal to cool completely. Cut it into equal-size portions and store the large container as one, or divide the portions into individual containers, if that’s what you prefer. When ready to enjoy, take out a serving of the Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal and reheat (see below for reheating tips), or enjoy it cold. Both ways are delicious!
The best way to store Baked Oatmeal
We like to divvy up the leftover into individual portions that can be reheated as needed throughout the week. After the baked oatmeal has cooled completely, cut it into even portions and place each portion a small container with a lid in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or, to store a whole recipe, cover the baked and cooled oatmeal dish with a lid and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How to freeze Baked Oatmeal
For an easy grab-and-go breakfast, freeze in individual portions of this Baked Gingerbread Oatmeal. Cut cooled portions and store in individual freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
How to reheat Baked Oatmeal
Use these tips to reheat baked oatmeal right out of the refrigerator or freezer.
from frozen:
The night before you plan to eat it, pull out an individual frozen serving (or the full dish, if desired) of baked oatmeal and place it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Then reheat in the oven at 375℉ for 15 to 20 minutes, or in the microwave. If you haven’t thawed it ahead of time, you can place frozen baked oatmeal servings on a plate and heat in the microwave for 60 seconds, and then for 20-30 second intervals until warmed through. Total time may vary, depending on microwave wattage.
From Fridge:
Place a serving on a plate and heat in the microwave for 30-40 second intervals until warmed through. Or heat the full dish in the oven at 375℉ for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also enjoy the baked oatmeal cold, similar to a breakfast bar.
Pin It Now To Make It Later!
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you! Place a skillet over medium heat. Add nuts to the hot skillet, and then cook until they give off a toasted aroma, 3-6 minutes. Be sure to watch the pecans closely and stir often to avoid burning. Once pecans are fragrant and golden brown, remove from heat. To toast pecans in the oven: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Place the pecans on a small sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Once pecans are fragrant and golden brown, remove from the oven.
