Baked Cranberry Oatmeal
This Baked Cranberry Oatmeal recipe features fluffy baked oatmeal studded with fresh cranberries, warm cinnamon, and a luscious orange cream cheese glaze. It’s an easy yet impressive breakfast that’s perfect for meal prep or Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Cranberry orange is one of my favorite flavor combinations, as evident in my fresh cranberry orange sauce and cranberry orange muffins.
I decided to give my reader favorite blueberry baked oatmeal a cranberry orange-flavored makeover for the holidays, and it was an instant hit.
This Baked Fresh Cranberry Oatmeal is filling, festive and bursting with fresh cranberries, warm cinnamon and an orange cream cheese glaze that takes it over the top.
It proves that you can have a wholesome breakfast that you look forward to at the same time. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- You can assemble this recipe in about 10-15 minutes tops, and then the oven does the rest of the work for you.
- It’s easy to customize using your favorite milk, sweetener, and nuts.
- The cranberry orange oatmeal can be assembled the night before and baked the following morning.
- The cream cheese adds a nice creaminess and tang to the glaze, giving it that “wow” factor.
Recipe ingredients
This is an easy recipe that’s naturally gluten-free and great for holiday breakfasts and brunches. Best of all, many of the ingredients can be substituted using what you have on hand.
- Almond milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but use your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk.
- Egg. Helps bind the baked oatmeal together.
- Maple syrup. Use pure maple syrup or substitute your favorite sweetener.
- Orange zest. Infuses the oatmeal with fresh orange flavor.
- Vanilla extract. Adds delicious depth of flavor.
- Old fashioned oats. Also called rolled oats. Do not substitute with steel cut or instant oats.
- Baking powder. Creates a fluffier baked oatmeal.
- Ground cinnamon. Adds warm flavor that complements the cranberry and orange flavors.
- Cranberries. Use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Pecans. Substitute your favorite nuts or omit entirely.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make baked cranberry oatmeal
This is a simple recipe that takes 15 minutes or less to assemble in one mixing bowl. The entire recipe can also be made in advance to enjoy for meal prep or holiday breakfast.
Pro tip: The orange cream cheese glaze is optional, but highly recommended for additional orange flavor and a creamy component that takes this recipe over the top.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, maple syrup, vanilla, and orange zest.
- Stir in the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and half of the cranberries.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 8-inch baking dish. Top with pecans and the remaining cranberries.
- Bake at 350ºF until golden brown and set, about 30 minutes.
- To make the glaze, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange juice and zest.
- Drizzle the orange glaze over the cranberry oatmeal while it’s still warm.
Recipe FAQs
If you’d like to assemble the baked oatmeal ahead of time, follow the instructions in my Overnight Blueberry Baked Oatmeal by placing it in the fridge overnight and baking it in the morning.
Yes! I always have fresh cranberries in my freezer this time of year. I didn’t even thaw out the cranberries for this baked cranberry orange oatmeal. I just popped half of the cranberries in the baked oatmeal and half on top.
Most definitely! Simply double the ingredients and bake the oatmeal in a 9×13-inch baking dish. The bake time might need to be increased slightly.
Replacing the old fashioned oats with steel cut oats is not a straightforward swap. I suggest referencing my baked steel cut oatmeal for the ingredient ratios. You could easily omit the pumpkin and add cranberries and orange.
Serving suggestions
Pair this cranberry baked oatmeal with your favorite savory breakfast recipes when hosting guests this holiday season.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Prep the baked oatmeal up to a day in advance if desired.
- The glaze is completely optional. Cranberry oatmeal is great served with just a drizzle of maple syrup as well!
- If using frozen cranberries, add them straight to the oatmeal mixture. No need to thaw them first!
- Store leftover oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
More breakfast recipes you’ll love:
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Baked Cranberry Oatmeal
Ingredients
For the oatmeal:
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup maple syrup sub with your favorite sweetener
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries left whole or halved if very large; divided
- 1/2 cup pecan pieces sub with your favorite nuts
For the cream cheese glaze:
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
Prepare the oatmeal:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8" glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, egg, maple syrup, orange zest, and vanilla until well incorporated.2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to the bowl of wet ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in 1/2 of the cranberries.2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup fresh cranberries
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cranberries and pecan pieces. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and set. Remove from heat and cool slightly on a wire rack.1/2 cup pecan pieces
Prepare the glaze:
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl with a handheld mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until incorporated, then beat in the orange juice and zest until combined. If you'd like your glaze to be thinner, add a bit more orange juice.2 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Drizzle over the baked oatmeal, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Prep the baked oatmeal up to a day in advance if desired.
- The glaze is completely optional. Cranberry oatmeal is great served with just a drizzle of maple syrup as well!
- If using frozen cranberries, add them straight to the oatmeal mixture. No need to thaw them first!
- Store leftover oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
33 Comments on “Baked Cranberry Oatmeal”
Can you sub steel cut oats?
It’s not a straight forward swap — see my post for pumpkin steel cut oatmeal for the ratios. You could easily omit the pumpkin, use an egg and add cranberries and orange.https://flavorthemoments.com/overnight-pumpkin-baked-steel-cut-oatmeal/
Just made a double batch of this baked oatmeal & it was delicious! I substituted honey for the syrup & topped it with chopped almonds. The only thing I will change next time is reduce the amount of milk as this had too much liquid for me. I think for a double batch I will likely use 2 cups & for a single batch, 1 cup of milk. Hopefully this will firm it up a little bit so that it can be cut up & keep its shape rather than needing to be scooped with a spoon out of the baking dish. Regardless, the flavors in this were perfection!
Hi Sherri! I’m really surprised that you had to scoop it out with a spoon..I’m wondering if it baked long enough? Normally it’s really easy to slice. At any rate, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it and thank you for leaving feedback for me!