Gluten-Free Apple & Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe - the Whole Smiths (2024)

This healthy Apple and Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal recipe is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for feeding a crowd. It is also an ideal easy recipe for your meal prep! A must-try this fall! Gluten-free and refined sugar-free!

As I sit here typing this, I can feel the air changing. It’s that time of year where it’s still warm enough outside to feel like summer but the feel of the air and the shine of the sun are telling us fall.

I know everyone (including myself) goes crazy for Fall and I’ve been thinking about that more and more. Surely it extends beyond Pumpkin-Spice everything right?

For me, it signifies a welcome change and a cozy time for my family and I. It’s change from the free-for-all of summer and back to productivity which I find I thrive on.

It’s also the anticipation of Halloween, Thanksgiving and football and other family favorite activities. And the cozy smells coming out of the kitchen? It makes me happy and thankful to be home.

I’m not sure, but there’s something about the way the sunshine poursinto my windows that makes me feel at peace. So yes, autumn is so much more than just pumpkin spice to me. Did I mention the kids are back at school?!

But yes, pumpkin spice is also everythaaaaang.

Why you will love this healthy pumpkin baked oatmeal recipe:

When creating this baked oatmeal recipe I realized that it encompasses so much about fall that I love. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast for those busy back-to-school mornings now that we’re back on a schedule.

You can make this apple and pumpkin baked oatmeal ahead of time and it reheats perfectly, it will last for a few days in the fridge, although my family tends to mow through it in two sittings. I love being able to wake up and give the girls something quick and healthy to start the day off without having to spend a lot of time doing so.

It also checks off the “cozy” and “makes your house smell amazing” categories. (No candle can replicate those smells!) Last but not least, it has me covered in the pumpkin spice zone. Oh boy, does it have me covered.

The secret ingredient to this Apple Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal recipe: Apple Cider

I first started usingNorth Coast productsabout two years ago when I spotted them at Whole Foods. I started with their cider as I loved that there were no additives and it actually tasted like fresh apples.

When I first tasted their cider I realized THIS is what apple ciders and juices are supposed to taste like. REAL apples. My husband and I started creating co*cktails with it and I started buying it for my children.

As time went on, I found myself using their products more and more in my cooking. In fact, it is the ONLY apple juice / cider / sauce I use now. I love that all of their product are 100% organic and GMO free.

Beyond that their company has a rich history and is located near me, I love that! I encourage you to check out some of their product online here. They even have different varieties of apple juices including a Honey Crisp Apple Juice! We may have even done some taste testing of the different varieties with the kiddos.

Fast forward to when I met the North Coast team at Expo West this year. I introduced myself and raved about how much I love their products. Clearly, I’d become an apple groupie somewhere along the way. Over the next few months, I learned more about new products on the horizon from them and was able to try a few. Clearly, I fell in apple-love even more!

And then I opened the Pumpkin Spice Apple Juice and Pumpkin Spice Apple Sauce and immediately began thinking of the healthy fall recipes I could make with them. This oatmeal bake was one of the first things to pop into my head.

While I limit the grains I consume, I do consume gluten-free grains from time to time and give them to my kids. Paleo isn’t a one size fit all and I find I feel better when I’m consuming enough carbs and that includes a variety of gluten-free grains. I think it’s important for people to see what makes their bodies feel good and go with that. If you don’t avoid gluten you can use regular oats as well.

This oatmeal bake is so easy to make and incredibly delicious. It’s the perfect way to start a brisk fall morning.Not to mention the entire thing is sweetened with only 1/4 C. of maple syrup and 1 tsp. of coconut sugar. I also layer some sliced apples along the bottom to bring a bit more texture and tartness to the dish.

I used North Coast’s Pumpkin Spice Apple Sauce in this recipe but as a head’s up it is not yet widely distributed. If you are unable to locate it at a nearby grocer, you can use 1/2 cup of regular apple sauce and 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree in it’s place.

I’m certain that you will enjoy this cozy breakfast recipe and all of North Coast’s products as much as my family does!

Tips for making this healthy baked oatmeal recipe:

• I recommend you use Ceylon cinnamon instead of Cassia as it helps lower your blood sugar – among other health benefits.
• Serve this baked oatmeal with some coconut whipped cream and maybe a little maple syrup or date caramel if you like!
• You can tell your baked oatmeal is done when the liquid is absorbed completely, the center is set, and the edges are starting to turn golden.
• Your Apple and Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal will keep 5-7 days in the refrigerator.

Variations on this Apple Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal recipe:

• I use eggs for this recipe but you can make it egg-free by swapping the eggs for flax eggs or chia eggs. To make a chia or flax egg I mix 1 tbsp of ground flax seeds or chia seeds with 3 tbsp of water. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes and you’re ready to use it!
• I use unsweetened almond milk for this baked oatmeal recipe, but you can use any non- dairy milk, or dairy milk, coconut milk, etc.
• If you don’t have pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice, you can use a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. I sometimes also add some ginger.
• Pecans can be swapped for walnuts.

FAQ:

Which apples are best for this baked oatmeal recipe?

The best apples for baking should keep their structure and not turn into apple mush after spending some time in the oven. Granny Smith apples are great, but also Jonagold, Braeburn, Golden Delicious or Pink Lady.

What’s the best way to reheat this?

You can certainly use the microwave and pop each serving in for 30-60 seconds depending on the size. Or, you can reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes and it will be perfect. When reheating baked oatmeal in the oven, I like to add an additional drizzle of almond milk to keep it moist.