Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal

Our Morning Glory Baked Oats are the perfect breakfast for any morning. When you get fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein in your first meal of the day, you’re off to an excellent start. Gut-healthy fiber is central here, with filling oats, naturally sweet apples, antioxidant-rich carrots and walnuts—a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. You also pack in the protein with eggs, milk and Greek yogurt, so you’re guaranteed to stave off hunger for hours. Keep reading for our expert tips on ingredient prep, smart substitutions and delicious garnish ideas. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Use the largest hole on a box grater for grating the apple and carrots.
• Let the baked oatmeal cool before slicing, and serve it with a dollop of additional Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of extra cinnamon. 
• You can substitute pecans for the walnuts, or you can skip the nuts entirely for any nut allergies.

Nutrition Notes

• We love using whole milk in these baked oats. Full-fat dairy has not been shown to be detrimental to health and may, in fact, be beneficial. The additional fat will work with the fiber and protein in this dish to provide greater satiety—a win for those busy mornings. 
• Rolled oats contain a special type of fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol when eaten regularly—this is very beneficial for heart health. That same fiber is also great for digestive health and to keep your microbiome healthy because beta-glucans are fermentable fibers. 
• Carrots add a natural sweetness and a pop of color in these baked oats. You’ll also get the anti-inflammatory benefit of beta carotene, the major antioxidant in carrots. 
• Walnuts are an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid)—they provide the most of any nut. They also add fiber to this dish, which can help promote good digestive function and improve the health of the microbiome.