This baked oatmeal recipe is a new way to enjoy the regular bowl of oats. Made with old-fashioned oats, cranberries, orange zest, and cinnamon, it’s a cozy breakfast for the holidays.

5 from 27 votes

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Hot baked oatmeal with tart cranberries and fresh orange zest is one fall breakfast recipe you won’t be able to resist making all year long.

Baked Oatmeal

Craving a fall breakfast idea that feels like a cake without the guilt? Take your mornings a notch with this Cranberry & Orange Baked Oatmeal that tastes like a treat and is good for you!

Baked oatmeal warms you up without making you feel weighed down. Each ½ cup serving of baked oatmeal is a good source of fiber, and some essential vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, phosphorus, and magnesium. Learn more about the health benefits of oatmeal in this post.

It has a bread pudding-like texture, and the cranberries give it a burst of tart goodness. I like to top my baked oats with a little unsweetened almond milk; making the combination of hot oats and cold milk divine. Plus, this recipe doesn’t need a whole lot of added sugar, just a touch of honey is enough!

fresh milk being poured into a bowl of baked oatmeal. Cranberries scattered across table

This recipe is so good, I even included it in my Thanksgiving menu as a wholesome and delicious breakfast to hold you over until the feast is ready.

It has the holiday flavors of fresh cranberry, orange, and cinnamon so you can fill up on something good while the turkey bakes in the oven and you start on the rest of the menu.

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Baked Oatmeal Ingredients

Scroll down the ingredient list, and I’m positive you have most of these items on hand. Maybe not the cranberries, but those can be swapped for other fruits.

Check out the simple baked oatmeal ingredients:

Old fashioned oats: the large flakes provide the perfect texture for thick baked oatmeal.
Cinnamon: autumn flavor in every spoonful!
Baking powder: to help the batter rise.
Salt: enhances all the delicious flavors.
Milk: the liquid that oats need. Use your favorite.
Egg: to bind the ingredients and help the batter to rise.
Melted butter: adds moisture and a tasty flavor. If you want to make the recipe fully
dairy-free, swap it for a vegan alternative.
Vanilla extract: makes baked oatmeal taste like a cake!
Honey: adds the right amount of sweetness.
Fresh orange juice: adds citric vibes.
Orange zest: more citric flavor and aroma.
Cranberries: a fall classic! You can swap them for strawberries, diced apples, or prep baked oatmeal with blueberries.

You’ll find the measurements in the recipe card below.

Oats are super versatile for all sorts of recipes such as Protein Oats and Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Bites. You can even use them to make breakfast for dinner with these Bacon & Cheddar Savory Oats.

oats being stirred in large mixing bowl with oranges, honey and cranberries on the side of the image

How to Make Baked Oatmeal

As simple as the recipe is, it’s just as easy to make. Essentially, everything is combined in one bowl, transferred to a baking dish, and baked until the oats are set and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Here’s how to make this Cranberry Baked Oatmeal recipe for a hearty, delicious breakfast:

Get the oven hot
Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9 x 9-inch square baking dish or a 9 x 13-inch oval.
Make the batter
In a large bowl, whisk the honey with the almond milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice. Add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Toss in the cranberries
Use a spatula to fold the cranberries into the batter.
Bake
Pour the oat and cranberry mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with additional cranberries. Bake for 35 minutes until the top is golden and the oat mixture is set.
Serve
Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Watch this video to see how to bake oatmeal at home:

Oatmeal Baking Tips

It’s hard to mess up baked oatmeal, but it is possible mostly due to overcooking. Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen:

Use enough liquid
Don’t skimp on the milk! The oats need every bit of it to create that delicious texture. While water works too, I’ve found that it lacks the flavor and density this recipe needs.

Use the right oats
For best results, I use old-fashioned oats. The flakes are large enough to soak up the liquid without drying out, which makes them a perfect option for cooking, baking, and even no-bake treats like Baked Oatmeal Bites.

Make it ahead of time
You can make this ahead of time by combining the wet ingredients in a large jar or airtight dish and refrigerating overnight. In the morning, stir everything together and bake! Those few minutes save time, and while you get everyone ready for the day, breakfast is baking.

Dish of baked oatmeal with whole cranberries on top, one portion has been cut out of dish.

More Baked Oatmeal Flavors

Another great thing about this baked oatmeal recipe- it’s highly adaptable. You can add and swap the flavors and ingredients to create an entirely new recipe.

Swap the cranberries and orange for cinnamon, dried cherries, and almonds. Don’t worry about getting bored, here are easy add-in ideas for more epic baked oatmeal recipes:

Pumpkin pie spice + pumpkin puree
Cinnamon + raisins + slivered almonds
Raspberries + vanilla extract + lemon zest
Blueberries + vanilla extract + sliced bananas
Chocolate chips + trail mix

If you’re an oat fanatic, welcome to the club! I’ve got a TON of incredible oat recipes to keep you covered for breakfast a long time.

large baking dish of cranberry baked oatmeal

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal

Laura Fuentes

This baked oatmeal recipe is a new way to enjoy the regular bowl of oats. Made with old-fashioned oats, cranberries, orange zest, and cinnamon, it’s a cozy breakfast for the holidays.

5 from 27 votes

Servings 8 servings

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Ingredients

¼ cup honey
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cup fresh cranberries, divided

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9 x 9-inch square baking dish or a 9 x 13-inch oval.
In a large bowl, whisk the honey with the almond milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until combined.
Add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to the liquid mixture and stir to form a thick batter. Add 1 cup cranberries to the batter and fold with a spatula to combine.
Pour oat and cranberry mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange cranberries to make sure they are evenly distributed throughout. Top with additional cranberries.
Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven until the top is golden and the oat mixture is set. Remove from oven and allow mixture to cool slightly prior to serving.

Notes

If you want to reduce the amount of sugar, replace 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon liquid stevia.

Equipment

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu

Full Thanksgiving Meal Plan

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 217mgPotassium: 111mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 93IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 1mg

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Baked Oatmeal with Cranberries and Orange