Indulge in the comforting embrace of this easy Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients like hearty oats, rich brown sugar, and fragrant maple extract, it’s the ultimate breakfast or brunch solution for any day of the week.

Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal: Your New Favorite Cozy Breakfast Bake

There’s nothing quite like waking up to a warm, inviting breakfast that smells incredible and tastes even better, yet requires minimal effort. This Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal recipe delivers exactly that! It’s the perfect fuss-free meal that allows you to relax and enjoy precious morning moments with your family, while tasting like you’ve spent hours perfecting it. Imagine a delicious, subtly sweet, and wonderfully tender oatmeal dish, baked to golden perfection, ready to be sliced and served.

Why You’ll Love This Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal

This isn’t just another oatmeal recipe; it’s a game-changer for your breakfast routine. Here’s why this Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal will quickly become a household favorite:

• Effortless Preparation: With just a few simple steps and common pantry ingredients, you can whip up the batter in minutes. It’s truly a dump-and-bake kind of recipe!
• Comforting & Delicious: The combination of warm maple, rich brown sugar, and tender oats creates a flavor profile that is both nostalgic and incredibly satisfying.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare the batter the night before and bake it fresh in the morning, or bake a whole batch at once for easy grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.
• Feeds a Crowd: This recipe is fantastic for family breakfasts, holiday brunches, or whenever you need to serve multiple people without stress.
• Wholesome & Filling: Oats are packed with fiber, keeping you full and energized throughout the morning. It’s a breakfast you can feel good about.
• Customizable: While delicious on its own, this baked oatmeal is a fantastic canvas for your favorite add-ins, from fruits to nuts to chocolate.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for this delightful baked oatmeal is straightforward. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect taste and texture:

• Quick-Cooking Oats: These are the star of our dish, providing a tender and cohesive texture that old-fashioned oats might not achieve as easily in a baked format. Avoid steel-cut oats for this recipe, as their cooking time and liquid absorption differ significantly.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with maple. Packed brown brown sugar is ideal for consistent measurement and moisture.
• Salted Butter: Contributes richness and helps bind the ingredients together. Melting it ensures it distributes evenly throughout the batter.
• Milk: Provides the necessary liquid for the oats to absorb and soften during baking, resulting in a creamy, moist texture. Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) can be used.
• Eggs: Act as a binder, giving the baked oatmeal structure and a slight custardy element, preventing it from crumbling apart.
• Baking Powder: Our leavening agent, creating a light, airy crumb rather than a dense, heavy block.
• Ground Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements both maple and brown sugar, adding depth and a comforting aroma.
• Liquid Maple Flavor (Maple Extract): This is the secret to a robust maple taste without excessive liquid. You’ll find it in the baking aisle alongside other extracts. While maple syrup adds sweetness and a lighter maple note, the extract truly punches up the authentic maple essence.

How to Bake the Perfect Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

Creating this delicious baked oatmeal is simpler than you might think. Follow these straightforward steps for a delightful result:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the moment your dish goes in. Next, generously spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the oatmeal from sticking, making serving and cleanup a breeze. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet and sweet ingredients: brown sugar, melted butter, milk, beaten eggs, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and the star flavor, maple extract. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

Pro Tip for Eggs: When a recipe specifies “beaten eggs,” it means to lightly whisk them with a fork or whisk before adding them to the main mixture. This breaks up the yolks and whites, allowing them to incorporate more evenly into the batter, ensuring a consistent texture throughout your baked goods.

Remember that liquid maple flavor, often labeled as maple extract, can typically be found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, usually near other flavor extracts like vanilla or almond. Different brands are available depending on where you shop. Once your liquid batter is perfectly whisked, gently stir in the 3 cups of quick-cooking oats. We prefer quick-cooking oats in this recipe as they yield a softer, more tender baked oatmeal texture. While old-fashioned oats can also work, they tend to create a chewier consistency. However, it’s crucial to steer clear of steel-cut oats for this recipe, as their density and cooking requirements are entirely different and will not yield the desired results. Finally, pour the oat mixture evenly into your prepared 8×8 inch baking dish.

Bake the oatmeal for approximately 20-25 minutes. Keep in mind that oven temperatures can vary, so it’s best to observe for visual cues. You’re looking for edges that are lightly browned and a center that no longer appears jiggly when gently shaken. If you opted for the make-ahead method and refrigerated your batter overnight, the baking time will be slightly longer (around 30-35 minutes) because you’re starting with a cold dish.

Once baked, allow the oatmeal to cool for a few minutes before slicing it into squares. Serve it warm for the best experience.

Expert Tips for Baked Oatmeal Success

• Choose the Right Oats: Quick-cooking oats are highly recommended for their tenderness and ability to cook evenly in this baked format. While old-fashioned rolled oats can be used for a chewier texture, steer clear of steel-cut oats, as they require much more liquid and cooking time.
• Ingredient Substitutions: For dietary adjustments, you can experiment with alternatives. A brown sugar Splenda blend can replace brown sugar (use about 1/2 cup for similar sweetness). Margarine can be used instead of butter. Egg substitutes like Eggbeaters are also viable options if you need to avoid whole eggs.
• Achieving Doneness: The baked oatmeal is ready when the edges are lightly golden, and the center is set and no longer appears “jiggly.” A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
• Let it Rest: Allowing the baked oatmeal to cool for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven helps it set properly, making for cleaner slices.

Customizing Your Baked Oatmeal: Variations & Add-ins

This Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal is wonderful as is, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative with these delicious additions:

• Fruits: Stir in fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries), diced apples, sliced bananas, or chopped dried fruits like cranberries or raisins before baking.
• Nuts: Add a delightful crunch with chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
• Chocolate: For a sweeter treat, mix in chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) into the batter.
• Extra Spice: Enhance the warm flavor profile with a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of allspice.
• Coconut: Toasted shredded coconut can add a tropical twist and texture.

Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Breakfast

While a simple slice of this baked oatmeal is satisfying, these serving ideas can make it even more special:

• Classic Drizzle: The best way to enjoy it, in our opinion, is with a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup. The extra sweetness and rich maple notes are divine!
• Warm Milk: A splash of warm milk poured over a slice creates a comforting, porridge-like experience.
• Creamy Toppings: Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a swirl of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (for a dessert-like treat!).
• Fresh Fruit: Garnish with fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a compote for added freshness and color.
• Nut Butter: A spoonful of almond or peanut butter can add extra protein and healthy fats.

For me, the best way to eat this is with a little maple syrup drizzled on top.

And maybe some warm milk…yummmm.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Overnight Prep: This recipe is fantastic for making ahead! Prepare the batter the night before, pour it into your greased baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply remove the plastic wrap and pop it into the preheated oven. Remember to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with a cold dish.
• Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, slice the cooled baked oatmeal into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or in a toaster oven until warmed through. From frozen, you may need to add a minute or two to the reheating time.

More Delicious Breakfast Ideas

If you loved this baked oatmeal, be sure to explore these other fantastic breakfast and brunch recipes:

• Pecan Praline French Toast: A decadent and sweet French toast perfect for special occasions.
• Apple Baked Oatmeal: Another fruit-filled baked oatmeal variation to try.
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole: A savory, hearty option for breakfast or brunch.
• Breakfast Pizza: A fun and customizable way to start your day.
• Buttermilk Pancakes: Classic fluffy pancakes, always a crowd-pleaser.

Originally published: October 2010
Updated photos and republished: July 2020

Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal

This easy Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal recipe is made with oats, brown sugar, maple extract and is the perfect breakfast or brunch!

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Servings:
6

Author:
Brandie Skibinski

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Ingredients

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (recommended brand)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, melted
• 1 ¼ cups 2% milk
• 2 large eggs, beaten (recommended brand)
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon liquid maple flavor (also called maple extract)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, milk, beaten eggs, baking powder, cinnamon and maple extract.
3. Whisk well to combine until smooth.
4. Stir in 3 cups quick-cooking oats until just combined.
5. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes.
7. Oven times vary, so check for doneness: edges should be lightly browned and the center should no longer be jiggly. (Note: If using cold batter from the fridge, baking time may increase by 5-10 minutes).

Video

Notes

• Slice into squares and serve warm.
• The best way to enjoy this is with a little warm milk and warm syrup drizzled on top.

Course:
Breakfast

Cuisine:
American

Nutrition

Calories: 402kcal |
Carbohydrates: 53g |
Protein: 6g |
Fat: 19g |
Sodium: 247mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 38g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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