Description
This Apple, Carrot, and Oat Breakfast Bake is a wholesome, hearty dish perfect for a nutritious start to your day. Combining fresh apples, grated carrot, and rolled oats with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup or honey and enriched with wholesome add-ins like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Baked to golden perfection, this breakfast bake offers a comforting texture and delicious flavor that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Vegetables
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 medium carrot, grated
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease or line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Prepare the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apples, grated carrot, rolled oats, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup or honey until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until everything is well incorporated. If you are using raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or seeds, fold them into the batter now for added texture and nutrition.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bake is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the breakfast bake to cool in the dish for 5-10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm as is or topped with yogurt or an extra drizzle of maple syrup for added sweetness.
Notes
- You can substitute the milk with any non-dairy milk like almond, soy, or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less maple syrup or honey, or omit it entirely if you prefer a less sweet bake.
- This bake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- For a gluten-free version, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Add-ins like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits can be customized based on your taste and dietary needs.
