If you’ve made my Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups or my Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal, you know that oats and I are REAL TIGHT. When I’m not diggin’ (or don’t have time for) a cozy bowl of steamy oats with almond butter and berries, grabbing an oatmeal cup right out of the fridge is the next best thing.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal
Today we’re talking grab-and-go goodness as these oatmeal muffins are a busy gal or guy’s best pal. The batter takes just minutes to stir together and requires only ONE mixing. Hallelujah! The base of these oatmeal cups is old fashioned oats, unsweetened applesauce (you could also try mashed banana), milk of choice, and a wee bit of butter which adds lip-smackin’ good flavor. A vegan buttery spread would work wonders as well for a dairy-free option.
They’re lightly sweetened with just a quarter cup of coconut sugar, but feel free to use whatever sweetener you have on hand—cane sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, they’ll all work just fine here. A hefty pinch of cinnamon compliments the tart cherries beautifully. Almond extract takes these to the next level. I don’t recommend skipping it! So good in french toast, too.
What About Mix-Ins?
I’m obsessed with the combination of Montmorency tart cherries (remember them in these rice crispy treats?) plus toasty sliced almonds. Now these cherries don’t just taste good—they boast some impressive benefits, too! Did you know Montmorency tart cherries may help you recover after intense exercise? So neat! I’m sure you’ve noticed the distinctively bright and tangy taste and deep ruby-red hue of Montmorency tart cherries, both helping set it apart from other dried fruits. The high concentration of anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol in the flavonoids family, is to thank for that rad color. Nature’s candy! Luckily, the American superfruit we know and love is available dried, juice, canned, frozen and in concentrate so we can enjoy it all year long. Like in these easy oatmeal muffins!
You’ll also notice almonds in this recipe, which add wonderful good crunch. I found blanched sliced almonds in the bulk bins at the grocery store which is nice because a) you only buy the quantity you actually need and b) you end up paying less. I love the delicate flavor and texture of almonds in this recipe (especially the ones on top that get all toasty), but pecans would also be delish here. This recipe is super customizable so really anything will be delish–chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts…you name it.
Which cherries to choose
When you’re choosing cherries, look for U.S.-grown Montmorency tart cherries, a varietal that’s not imported like other types of tart or sour cherries. This helps support local agriculture and preserve generations-old family farms. About 75% of U.S. Montmorency tart cherry crop is grown in Cherry Capital of the World…Michigan! Other prominent Montmorency tart cherry-producing states include Utah, Washington, New York, Wisconsin, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
What’s the difference between rolled oats and other oats?
When it comes to the anatomy of oatmeal, there’s instant oats, old fashioned or rolled oats (that we’re using today), steel cut oats, and oat groats. Of note, they are not interchangeable in recipes. Oat groats are the most natural state of oats, the whole hulled kernel of the oat grain. Steel cut oats are the least processed of the oat varieties, meaning they take the longest to cook. While these varieties differ in processing, the nutritional value is pretty much the same.
Are oats gluten free?
Here’s the truth, friend. Oats do not contain gluten. This gets confusing because they are often processed in facilities that do process grains with gluten, which means risking cross-contamination. If you are avoiding gluten for personal or health reasons, be on the lookout for steel cut oats that indicate they’re certified gluten-free on the label.
If you make this cherry almond baked oatmeal cups recipe and love it, let me know by leaving a 5-star rating and/or comment! I LOVE hearing your feedback.
Craving more oatmeal goodness? Don’t miss my other go-to oatmeal recipes!
Vegan Raspberry Oatmeal Snack Bars Salted Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Bites Blueberry Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups
Cherry on! Print
