Easy Peach Baked Oatmeal

I’m a huge oatmeal fan. From blueberry overnight oats to savory masala oats and more simple versions, such as vanilla oatmeal topped with a handful of chocolate chips and a big dollop of peanut butter, I eat oats every single morning.

As a food blogger, it might be weird to say this, but breakfast is probably my most favorite meal of the day! So, when I saw those vibrant and juicy peaches at my local market the other day, I immediately thought about incorporating them into a baked oatmeal version. And oh boy, what a success it was! The whole dish is fruity, moist, super simple to assemble, and can be enjoyed either chilled or warm!

⭐️ Why You Will Love It

Dessert for breakfast? You bet.

I won’t argue that breakfast is meant to be healthy, but that doesn’t mean it has to taste bland or boring. My peach baked oatmeal tastes SO GOOD that it can also be enjoyed for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

What makes my baked oatmeal so special? It comes down to a few components. First, the oatmeal itself is loaded with applesauce (although you can use peach sauce if you have it on hand!), giving it a fruity flavor and a very moist texture. Second, it is infused with vanilla and lime zest, brightening up the whole dish and infusing it with citrusy and floral notes.

Finally, it’s topped with juicy peaches that are first tossed in lime juice and sugar, allowing them to caramelize and become super juicy!

Hearty and family-friendly.

The best thing about this baked oatmeal is that it takes just a few minutes to whip up, and it serves a crowd. Actually, it serves six medium portions or four if you have a crowd of gluttons! Either way, it makes a great breakfast casserole to make on the weekends for the whole family.

🍑 Ingredient Notes

Peaches

For the best flavor, I recommend picking semi-ripe to ripe yellow peaches. If your peaches are too firm, they will not turn juicy and will become sour during baking. On the other hand, if your peaches are too ripe, you will have trouble slicing them into a nice shape.

I went with 2 peaches, but if you want your baked oatmeal to be more fruity, feel free to add one more and arrange the slices closer to each other. You can also slice one peach into chunks and incorporate it directly into the oatmeal mixture.

Substitute: Any type of peach will work as long as it is ripe. You can pick white peaches or even flat peaches. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to fresh peaches, canned peaches will work, but I suggest omitting the coconut sugar as these are usually already sweetened.

Oats

There is no oatmeal without oats! While both rolled oats and quick oats will work, I personally prefer using rolled oats as they provide more texture and chew.

Applesauce

During my first tests, the oatmeal turned very dry after baking. No one likes dry oats except in granola, right? To prevent that, I rely on applesauce. Not only it makes the oats super moist but it also adds natural sweetness and a delicate fruity flavor.

Note: Make sure you are using unsweetened applesauce. Alternatively, you can use peach sauce for plenty of peach flavor!

Flax seeds

Classic baked oatmeal recipes often rely on eggs to prevent the oatmeal from crumbling. In this plant-based version, I replace the eggs with a “flax egg,” which consists of ground flax seeds combined with a few tablespoons of water. After sitting for a couple of minutes, the flax seeds absorb the water and create a gel that has a consistency similar to egg whites.

The addition of a flax egg to the oats mixture gives it more structure, holding the oats better together.

Did you know? According to Healthline, flax seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and contain a ton of nutrients. They may help prevent many types of cancer and reduce heart disease, so don’t pass on this superfood!

Coconut sugar

I use coconut sugar to sweeten the oatmeal and the peaches, but any type of sugar will work: maple syrup, light brown sugar, or even agave syrup.

Note that I only use 1/4 cup of sugar for the whole recipe since the applesauce already adds a natural sweetness. If you want a healthier version, you can omit the sugar altogether.

Plant-based milk

Use your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk. I like to use soy milk for a boost of protein but cashew, almond, or oat milk will also work well in this recipe.

Lime

Lime zest brightens up the overall flavor, adding citrusy notes that pair wonderfully with the peaches. Feel free to add more if you love zesty flavors!

Vanilla

Finally, vanilla extract brings gourmet and floral flavors. Use good quality store-bought vanilla extract, homemade vanilla extract, or the seeds from half of a vanilla bean.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Prepare the flax egg

1. Stir the flax seeds with the water. In a small bowl, whisk the ground flax seeds with the water and let it sit for 5 minutes or until it forms a gel.

2. Combine the dry and wet ingredients

1. Stir the dry ingredients together. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, coconut sugar, baking powder, lime zest, and salt.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the applesauce, almond milk, melted vegan butter, vanilla extract, and flax egg. Stir until fully combined, then transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish.

3. Prepare the peaches

1. Toss the peaches. Start by slicing the peaches into thick slices. Then, transfer them to a small bowl and add the coconut sugar and lime juice. Toss to coat. The sugar will help the peaches slightly caramelize.

4. Bake

1. Add the peaches to the baking dish. Arrange the peach slices on top of the oatmeal batter and slightly press them down.
2. Bake. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top appears golden brown and the peaches are tender. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving!

🍫 Variations

The recipe I am sharing here is a base and can be easily customized to your liking. Here are a few add-in ideas:

• Chocolate: either dark chocolate chunks or a handful of chocolate chips.
• Berries: Make it more fruity by adding cherries, blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries.
• Nuts: Incorporate macadamia, walnuts, or Brazil nuts for extra crunch and healthy fats.
• Spices: Spice up your oats by adding either ginger, cardamom, or cinnamon to the oatmeal batter.

🍨 What to Serve It With

If you are serving these oats for breakfast, you can serve them either warm or chilled with a drizzle of maple syrup or nut butter, like peanut or almond butter.

If you plan on enjoying these for dessert, serve them warm with a generous scoop of ice cream or a dollop of coconut cream. The contrast of the warm and juicy peaches with the melting vanilla ice cream is just dreamy!

💬 FAQ

This peach baked oatmeal is a favorite here during summer. Add to that a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top, you’ve got yourself a satisfying, fruity, and decadent breakfast that the entire family will enjoy!

🥞 More Breakfast Recipes

Vegan Strawberry Overnight Oats

Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

The Best Vegan Crepes

Vegan Madeleines

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!