Brown Sugar Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups

These brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal cups are just the thing to make when you want a simple breakfast or afternoon snack. The recipe is easy to assemble and yields 24 mini oatmeal cups. 

If you haven’t noticed, oats are a staple I use for all sorts of breakfasts like Blueberry Baked Oatmeal or Bananas Foster Overnight Oats. They make a healthy (and tasty!) way to fill up and start your day. 

Each ½-cup serving of rolled oats provides a good source of fiber and important vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Their versatility allows me to increase nutrition to the meals my family already enjoys, including in the form of these soft mini muffin bites! More about the health benefits of oatmeal here.

Ingredients

The combination of toasty oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar is the best type of aromatherapy. Knowing that these warm delicious oatmeal bites are coming out of the oven is just the motivation I need to get the day started. 

Here’s everything you need to make them: 

• Old-fashioned rolled oats- the real MVP of this recipe and others
• Baking powder- to give the oatmeal cups a “lift”
• Salt- reacts with the baking poweder and counteracts the sweetness from the brown sugar
• Milk- use any of your favorite non-dairy alternatives instead
• Eggs- binds all the ingredients and makes these cups “muffin-like”
• Vanilla extract- flavor
• Brown sugar- more flavor and goes deliciously with the cinnamon
• Cinnamon- brown sugar’s best friend

Opting for incredibly easy and satisfying recipes, like these oatmeal cups, that can be prepared the night before and packed into a zip bag are a great option. They also help us get more whole grains into our day.

For more oatmeal and brown sugar goodness without having to turn on the oven, try these no-bake oatmeal energy bites.

Related: More Easy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

Swaps and Substitutions

If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, swap the regular milk for your favorite non-dairy alternatives like unsweetened almond, cashew, soy, or oat milk. 

Brown sugar is optional if you’re looking to reduce sugar, but you don’t need much. Just a sprinkle over the tops of the oatmeal cups is enough to sweeten. 

And just like regular oatmeal, you can customize this recipe with your favorite add-ins and flavors: 

• Berries- any variety
• Diced apple
• Dried raisins
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
• Pumpkin pureé
• Mini chocolate chips
• Maple syrup or honey

Sometimes, I like stirring in raisins, cinnamon, and maple syrup into the batter. It tastes like my oatmeal raisin cookie dough bites.

How to Make Oatmeal Cups

This recipe comes together in one bowl and is baked to perfection. The oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar emit an incredible aroma throughout the house.

Here’s how to make this recipe happen: 

1. Prep
   Preheat the oven to 375F and lightly spray a 24 mini muffin pan.
2. Make the batter
   Combine the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. 
3. Divide
   Distribute the oat mixture evenly into each of the mini muffin cup. Lightly sprinkle each muffin top with a little brown sugar.
4. Enjoy
   Bake for 22-25 minutes until the tops are light brown and the oat mixture is set. Serve warm, right out of the oven or at room temperature.

Watch the video below to see how you can assemble this quick breakfast in 30 minutes or less!

Can you Freeze Oatmeal Cups

Of course! Once the oatmeal cups are completely cooled, place them inside a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, remove them from the freezer and warm them in a toaster oven or microwave! 

Or, if you’re packing these for lunch, pack the frozen cups in a snack box, and by lunchtime, they’ll be room temperature. 

I also love offering these mini bites as an after-school snack. They’re easy to grab, rewarm and enjoy while getting started on homework.

Making Oatmeal Cups without a Muffin Pan

Yes, you can! Pour the oat mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan, sprinkle on the brown sugar, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the oats are set! Slice the baked oatmeal into 24 small squares, and you’re good to go.

Speaking of muffins, if you aren’t in an oatmeal mood, but still want to start your day with the delicious flavor of cinnamon and brown sugar make sure to try my coffee cake muffins!