This Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal features jammy tart cranberries and sweet orange bursting through a big batch of baked oats. A fun and festive healthy breakfast that’s easy to make ahead, and makes a showstopping treat for the holidays!
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Extra cranberries on hand? Be sure to make Cranberry Crumble Bars, Cranberry Orange Bread and Cranberry Bundt Cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Celebrates cranberries during the best time of year!
- Make ahead, tasty breakfast for a stress-free Christmas morning!
- Wow your family or serve during holiday brunch with friends!
- Perfect grab and go treat to enjoy the rest of the week!
Be sure to check out all of our oat recipes if you love oats!
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredient list for this cranberry baked oatmeal is a mix of healthy pantry ingredients and a few you can find in the produce section of the grocery store. We will need:
- eggs – pull out two large eggs and allow to come to room temperature while you gather the remaining ingredients. To speed up the process, pop them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes or so. I have not tested a vegan version of this recipe with flax eggs, but please leave a note in the comments if you do.
- oil – go for a neutral oil like avocado oil, or sub it out for melted coconut oil or light olive oil instead.
- pure maple syrup – I love the dark, deep flavor of maple syrup. Feel free to use honey for a lighter, more floral sweetness, or light brown sugar.
- orange juice – fresh orange juice tastes much better than orange juice concentrate. You will need the juice of about 1 orange.
- milk – use your favorite plant-based milk, such as oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk. Regular dairy milk will also work if there are no dietary concerns.
- vanilla extract – opt for vanilla extract or almond extract, which really compliments the fresh cranberries.
- gluten free rolled oats – use rolled oats rather than quick oats or steel cut oats, which don’t offer the same texture. Pick up a bag of certified gluten-free, if that is a dietary concern.
- orange zest – zest a whole orange before slicing and juicing.
- baking powder – for lift and to keep this baked oatmeal light and fluffy.
- ground cinnamon – for warming spice. Feel free to add ginger for a little extra flavor!
- fine sea salt – to enhance all those orange cranberry flavors.
- cranberries – feel free to use fresh or frozen cranberries – no need to thaw! You can sub in an equal amount of dried cranberries, but the baked oatmeal will miss out on the fresh juice and jammy texture of fresh cranberries.
- confectioner’s sugar – although optional, the sweet orange glaze at the very end adds that special finishing touch.
- optional mix-ins – add a handful of white chocolate chips or toasted pecans or walnuts.
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
How to Make
Baked oatmeal with cranberries is ready from the oven in only 45 minutes! Here’s how to do it in just a few easy steps:
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease 9×9 inch square baking dish or line with parchment paper. You can also use a similar size baking dish, like an oval casserole dish – just watch baking time after 30 minutes.
Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, oil, maple syrup, orange juice, milk and vanilla (or almond) extract.
Add Dry Ingredients
To the bowl of wet ingredients, add rolled oats, orange zest, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Fold in cranberries.
Bake
Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until edges are golden and the middle is set. You can serve immediately bowl style, or wait about 20 minutes to serve as squares.
Make the Glaze (Optional)
In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and orange juice until your desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over baked oatmeal.
The glaze really does add a lovely sweet finish but you could also just with powdered sugar or serve with honey.
Enjoy!
Serve this cranberry orange baked oatmeal with your favorite toppings, a little extra maple syrup or honey and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Depending on your preferred serving style, the cranberry baked oatmeal can be enjoyed after a few minutes cooling time or left to cool until completely set. Some of my favorite ways to serve include:
- Scoop and serve: Serve immediately, still warm, to enjoy as a cozy breakfast on a cold morning. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cooling contrast.
- Oatmeal bar / square: Wait at least 20 minutes for the cranberry orange oatmeal to cool, then cut into bars or squares. Enjoy right away and stash the rest in an airtight container. It’s the perfect grab and go treat for busy mornings.
How to Store
This orange cranberry oatmeal will keep for up to 4-5 days in the fridge. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.
Freezer Instructions: Cool completely. Then, cut the into oatmeal singles (either big or small) and wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Keep in a plastic freezer storage bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
Warm the entire baking dish: Tent with foil. Reheat in a preheated 350ºF oven for 15-20 minutes.
Reheat oatmeal bars: Place on a baking sheet and bake in a 350ºF oven or toaster oven for 5-10 minutes. OR, pop individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Recipe Tips & Notes:
- Zest the orange first. Use the zest and juice from the same orange, just make sure to zest before juicing.
- Spread into one even layer. Make sure the oatmeal is spread into all four corners of the baking dish.
- Size of the baking dish will determine bake time. I used a 9×9 inch square metal baking dish, which baked up in approximately 35 minutes. If you use an 8×8 inch, it will need a few more minutes in the oven.
- Not all baking dishes are created equal. Metal baking dishes, glass baking dishes and porcelain baking dishes do not all bake the same (as they hold heat differently). While any of these may be used for this recipe, note that the baking time may differ from the directions.
Recipe FAQs
Are baked oats as healthy as oatmeal?
Yes, baked oats are a healthy equivalent to regular oatmeal. Old-fashioned rolled oats are an excellent source of complex carbs and soluble fiber.
Why is my baked oatmeal gummy?
If you let your batter sit too long before you bake it, the oats will turn gummy. This is because oats absorb moisture as they sit, so you will end up with a thick and dense baked oatmeal as opposed to a light and fluffy one.
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen cranberries?
Yes, you can use dried cranberries. However, you may want to soak them in hot water or orange juice for 5-10 minutes to add moisture to the dried fruit (which will help to mimic the moisture in fresh cranberries).
Can I prepare this oatmeal in advance?
Yes, you can bake this oatmeal ahead of time and have it prepped and ready to eat for the week. This is why baked oatmeal is a meal prep dream! Simply reheat the cranberry oatmeal in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave.
More Baked Oatmeal Recipes You’ll Love:
If you make this Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal recipe, be sure to leave a comment and review on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil, or melted cooled coconut oil, or light olive oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- 2 ¼ cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, zest of 1 medium orange
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Glaze Topping (optional)
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease 9×9 baking dish (or similar size).
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In large bowl whisk together eggs, oil, maple syrup, orange juice, milk and vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add in rolled oats, orange zest, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Fold in cranberries.
- Bake: Transfer batter to prepared baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or, until edges are golden and middle is set. You can serve immediately bowl style, or wait about 20 minutes to serve as squares.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and orange juice until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over baked oatmeal.
- Serve this cranberry orange baked oatmeal with your favorite toppings, a little extra maple syrup or honey and enjoy!
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