Apple Cinnamon Crisp Baked Oatmeal (with Cream Cheese)

 Prep Time:15 minutes  Cook Time:40 minutes

Oatmeal has provided a warm, filling, affordable nutrient breakfast for hundreds of years in many cultures across the world. A hearty bowl of oats in the morning is a great way to start the day, "stick to your ribs" .

My partner Daniel and I spent one summer many years ago working as cooks at a chamber music summer camp (probably one of the most beautiful experiences of my life) We listened to Mendelssohn surrounded by the beauty of Prince Edward County and made 3 meals a day for 50+ people if I remember correctly. One of our top breakfast recipes was a creamy apple cinnamon oatmeal. I took the flavor profile from the recipe I created back then and updated it for this easy and delicious baked version.

This apple cinnamon-baked oatmeal is the perfect addition to a brunch spread. It can be made ahead and reheated perfectly. This is amazing right out of the oven with a dollop of Greek yogurt, chilled with a cup of afternoon coffee or tea, or warmed with a scoop of ice cream for a wholesome dessert.

Chef Tip: I love my grater and I use it often! The apples in the oatmeal and the butter are both grated right on top of a MYB beeswax wrap which makes cleaning up a breeze. Just drop in your ingredients, and easily rinse the beeswax wrap clean when you are done. It cuts down on prep time and it's also great for chilled butter if you are making pastry.

How to make Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal (with Cream Cheese)

 Steps:

1. Combine your dry ingredients for the oatmeal mixture in a large bowl: oats, salt, baking powder, cinnamon
2. Combine your wet ingredients in either a blender or mixer: cream cheese, eggs, milk, and brown sugar. Mix or blend until very smooth.
3. Add the wet mixture to the dry mix and combine well.
4. Add grated apple, and fold in gently. Tip: avoid diced apples - they will be too thick to cook for this recipe.
5. Pour your mixture into a buttered or parchment-lined 12 x 9 baking dish (for the dairy-free option you could replace butter with coconut oil)
6. In a medium bowl gently mix the topping: sliced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar & cinnamon.
7. Spread topping evenly over the oatmeal mixture in the baking dish
8. Sprinkle the grated butter bits all over the oatmeal mixture then bake covered at 350 F for 30 minutes
9. Uncover for the last 10 to crisp up the top.

Enjoy! I served mine with some Greek yogurt with maple syrup for the perfect lunch snack.

Covered in the fridge this will last 5 days - enough for the entire week.

For an easy meal prep option: You could also make single-serving breakfast cups, by using a muffin tin. This makes the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for the family for the entire week.

If you're wondering if oatmeal is healthy, not to worry. Oatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber and is naturally gluten-free. Check out this article from Healthline that outlines 9 benefits of oatmeal.

If you're looking to replace your plastic wrap, try Mind Your Bees large beeswax food wraps. Naturally antibacterial, and easy to clean, they can be used up to 100 times in a year a year with proper use. 

Simply fold your wraps around your food, mould them into storage containers or bowls, create snack packs, or roll into cones for fresh herbs. Use the warmth of your hands to seal it. That's it!  Then just pop it into the fridge.