There is definitely something about that cozy gingerbread smell that warms the whole house up! This Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is a delicious toddler-friendly breakfast and is one of our favourites to make during the holiday season. It’s full of warm spices, sweetened with applesauce, and contains blackstrap molasses for an added iron boost.
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Whether you’re looking for an yummy holiday recipe to mix things up at breakfast, or something you can make ahead for lunchboxes or snacks, this Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is always a hit. My 4 year old loves this recipe, especially served with a little yogurt or warm milk on top – cozy, simple, and so good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and cozy – all the gingerbread flavour but without the fuss
- Iron boost – blackstrap molasses and chia seeds give this a little iron boost
- Toddler approved texture – soft and can be eaten as a handheld bar or mashed into a little milk
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Ingredients in this Kid-Friendly Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Here is what you will need to make this yummy Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal.
- egg
- applesauce (unsweetened)
- blackstrap molasses
- milk – can use dairy milk or an unsweetened non-dairy milk such as almond or oat. For a dairy-free option, use a non dairy milk like almond, oat, or cashew.
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- ginger
- all spice
- rolled oats
See recipe card for quantities.
Important note on the molasses!
I specifically used blackstrap molasses in this recipe because it’s actually a surprisingly good source of iron! Iron is such an important nutrient for little ones, it supports healthy growth, brain development, and energy. Blackstrap molasses has a bolder, slightly more bitter flavour than fancy molasses, but when combined with the classic gingerbread spices and a bit of unsweetened applesauce, it creates that cozy, rich, traditional gingerbread taste.
If you prefer a milder flavour, you can absolutely use fancy molasses instead, just know it won’t have quite the same amount of iron and will give a gentler gingerbread flavour.
How To Make Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Here is an overview of how to make these easy baked oatmeal. For the full instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
Add the egg to a greased or lined baking 7×7 dish and whisk to break it up.
Add the molasses, applesauce, milk. and vanilla. Stir well to combine.
Add the oats, cinnamon, ginger and all spice. Stir together to combine.
Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes, until the centre is set and lightly golden on top. Let cool for a few minutes before serving!
Hint: I like to whisk the egg and all the ingredients right in the dish to save on extra dishes, but you can of course mix all the ingredients together in a bowl first if that is easier!
Substitutions
- Dairy-free – you can use a plant-based alternative beverage in this recipe. I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk!
Variations
If you love baked oatmeal and want to try out some other variations, you won’t want to miss this Blueberry Chia Baked Oatmeal or this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal! And if you’re looking for other toddler breakfast ideas, I have over 21 healthy and nourishing breakfast ideas here!
Equipment
- This is a smaller recipe, so I like to use a 7×7 or an 8×6-inch pan.
Storage
You can store the leftover baked oatmeal in individual portions in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month. Be sure to let it cool completely before storing. If freezing, I like to place a layer of parchment paper between each piece, it makes it so much easier to pull out individual portions whenever you need a quick breakfast or snack.
Toddler Tip
Toddlers love when you mix up the presentation of food. I like cutting the baked oatmeal into little gingerbread people (or any fun cookie-cutter shapes you have on hand), my kids loved this! A simple change like this can make breakfast feel extra special and spark a bit of curiosity and exploration at the table.
FAQ
Yes! This recipe is great for batch prep. You can bake it once, let it cool completely, then store individual portions in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month. it reheats really well, just pop a square in the microwave for 45–60 seconds or warm it in the oven with a splash of milk to soften.
Baked oatmeal is so versatile! You can cut it into little bars for your toddler to hold, or mash it with a bit of milk to make it more like regular oatmeal. It’s also delicious with a spoonful of yogurt on top or served with some warm cinnamon apples on the side!
Recipe
Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Equipment
- 1 baking dish 7×7 or 8×6
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any milk of choice
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Lightly grease or line a 7×7 or 8×6 baking dish.
- Add the egg directly in the dish and whisk to break it up.
- Add the milk, applesauce, molasses, and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
- Add the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, and all spice. Stir together until everything is evenly mixed.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the centre is set and the top is lightly golden.
- Let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Video
Nutrition
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Ali Ellis, MSc., RD says
Yumm!! My kids loved this with a little milk!