This cozy pumpkin apple baked oatmeal with no added sugar is the perfect make ahead fall breakfast for mom, baby and toddler! Made with healthy ingredients like pumpkin puree, fresh apples and oats, it's a nutritious start to the day and suitable for baby led weaning. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
No Sugar Pumpkin Apple Baked Oatmeal
It's October, which means it's officially pumpkin season! Canned pumpkin is a great first food for little ones all year round, but it's especially delicious for making seasonal recipes in the fall that you can share with your baby or toddler. I love this pumpkin apple baked oatmeal because it combines two delicious fall flavors - pumpkin and apple - into one cozy, healthy breakfast complete with all the warming spices but none of the added sugar. And it is a great way to get nutrient dense fruit, veggies, and oats in first thing in the morning. The soft texture is great for babies as young as 6 months using a baby led weaning approach, but all ages will enjoy this pumpkin oatmeal on chilly fall mornings.
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Ingredients
- Pumpkin puree - Canned or homemade, just make sure it's 100% pumpkin.
- Applesauce - Store bought or homemade, with no added sugar to keep things sugar free.
- Apple - Use any variety you like! You'll need the apple in very small pieces for little ones to avoid any choking risk, so either grate the apple with a coarse grater, or finely dice it into tiny cubes. No need to peel!
- Rolled oats - Also called old fashioned oats. Make sure to buy certified gluten-free if necessary.
- Egg - Adds protein and binds everything together.
- Warming spices - I keep things easy with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. If you don't have any pumpkin pie spice (or something similar, such as apple pie spice, on hand you can use a pinch each of ginger, cardamom, and/or cloves).
- Vanilla
- Baking powder - I always use aluminum free baking powder.
- Optional: Finely chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans.
My favorite small baking dish
This set of baking dishes is my absolute favorite. They are so high quality and the small size is perfect for making all of my baby-size recipes!
Step By Step Instructions
For the full printable recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin, applesauce, egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the oats, spices and baking powder.
- Stir in grated or finely diced apple.
- Spread in a small baking dish lined with parchment or sprayed with oil. If you're using any pecans or walnuts, sprinkle them on top. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until the center is completely set.
- Let the oatmeal cool in the dish for at least 10 minutes before cutting to ensure it stays together in strips for baby.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- You can swap the applesauce for mashed banana.
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, use a pinch or two each of whatever spices you have on hand, like ginger, cloves, and/or cardamom.
- You can bake the batter in a standard sized muffin tin lined with paper or silicone muffin liners for portable baked oatmeal cups.
- Because this oatmeal has no added sugar, it isn't super sweet. For a little extra sweetness for older kiddos and adults, serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey on top.
Should I dice or grate the apple?
Either way is fine for babies, since they will get baked and soften to an appropriate texture. BLW babies and toddlers will be used to chunkier textures and can handle diced diced apple, for less experienced eaters or young BLW babes (6-8 months) you may choose to grate the apple instead. If you are dicing it, keep the pieces to 1 cm or smaller.
Storage and Reheating
Store baked oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for an hour or so. Reheat baked oatmeal in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, in the air fryer on the lowest setting, or in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Always test the temperature before serving to baby!
How To Serve Baked Oatmeal To Babies 6 Months and Up
Once cooled, cut oatmeal into strips the length and width of 1-2 adult fingers. This shape is the perfect shape for baby led weaning babies 6 months and up who do not yet have a pincer grasp since they can scoop pieces up with a fist and munch on one end while they hold onto the other. Once babies have developed a pincer grasp (using the index finger and thumb to pick up small objects), you can cut oatmeal into small bite sized pieces, about the size of your fingernail. Serve oatmeal with applesauce or plain Greek yogurt on the side if you like!
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No Sugar Pumpkin Apple Baked Oatmeal Recipe
This cozy pumpkin apple baked oatmeal with no added sugar is the perfect make ahead fall breakfast for mom, baby and toddler! Made with healthy ingredients like pumpkin puree, fresh apples and oats, it's a nutritious start to the day and suitable for baby led weaning. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 adult servings or 4 baby/toddler servings 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp aluminum free baking powder
- ½ cup apple, grated or finely diced
- optional: 1-2 tablespoon very finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a small baking dish or loaf pan with parchment or spray generously with oil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, applesauce, egg and vanilla until well combined.
- Stir in the oats, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and baking powder.
- Fold in the diced or grated apple.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish. If you're using any nuts, sprinkle them on the top and gently press into the surface.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until the center is set. Allow oatmeal to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing or cutting.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- In order to avoid any choking risk, make sure the apple is in very small pieces. Either grate it with a coarse grater, or finely dice into tiny cubes. If you're using pecans or walnuts, they will also need to be finely chopped (think breadcrumbs).
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, use a pinch or two each of whatever spices you have on hand, like ginger, cloves, and/or cardamom.
- You can bake the batter in a standard sized muffin tin lined with paper or silicone muffin liners for portable baked oatmeal cups.
- Because this oatmeal has no added sugar, it isn't super sweet. For a little extra sweetness for older kiddos and adults, serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey on top.
- If you don't have applesauce, you can swap in mashed banana.
- Store baked oatmeal in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
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