This hearty Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal is the perfect vegetarian fall breakfast! It's also freezer friendly - just bake it, freeze it, and reheat it.
I was never much of a breakfast eater as a kid until the glory days of oatmeal in the late 80s and early 90s. And by glory days of oatmeal, obviously I am referring to two things: Undercover Bears and Oatmeal Swirlers.
I used to add only the bare minimum amount of water needed to make the oatmeal edible, so those oats were basically there just to deliver massive, concentrated amounts of sugar and gummy bears.
The 80s and 90s were a magical time when the bar was set super low when it came to healthy eating. Choosing Oatmeal Swirlers over Ice Cream Cones Cereal? Healthy choices! Orange Drink instead of Coke with your Happy Meal? Way to go, kid!
But now I'm an adult and I know that little oatmeal packets full of sugar and candy aren't really the best way to start the day. I still love oatmeal though.
The only thing I love more than oatmeal is convenient oatmeal. I have a lot of overnight oatmeal and breakfast shakes during the summer, but now that fall is here, I'm in the mood for warm oatmeal again. Enter: Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal.
Baked oatmeal is what would happen if you crossed a cake with oatmeal. It's oatmeal in cake form!
I know what you're thinking though. "No way am I getting up early to make this for breakfast." Well, that's alright, because you don't have to! You can make it in advance, cut it into squares, and freeze it.
In the morning, you just pop that square of oatmeal in the oven or microwave and boom, breakfast is ready in minutes. (Have you noticed a theme in my breakfast posts? I am hungry and lazy in the morning. If it takes more effort than peeling a banana, then I'll just starve, thankyouverymuch.)
Instead of gummy bears, this oatmeal is full of diced pears. Apples, raisins, or other fruit, both dried and fresh, will work too. Nuts and seeds are also a great addition. You could even top each piece with a swirl of jam if you really wanted to. Options! You have them!
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And if you love this pear baked oatmeal, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:
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📖 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- dash ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1 ¾ cup milk, I use almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup diced fresh pears, about 1 pear
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Combine the oats, spices, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- Beat the egg in a second bowl. Stir in the milk, vanilla, and syrup, then pour the wet mixture into the oat mixture. Fold in the pears.
- Spray a square baking dish with oil or cooking spray. Pour oatmeal into the baking dish and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until set and beginning to brown. Serve immediately or, if freezing, allow the oatmeal to cool, then cut it into 6 to 8 pieces (the pieces hold together better after cooling!).
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love pears with oatmeal, such a wonderful fall breakfast idea!
Nithya says
Such a healthy breakfast.. Really love the pear and oat meal combo.. Very tempting ..
Katy @ Katy's Kitchen says
That's so smart to cut it into squares and freeze it! I've been wanting to have baked oatmeal in the morning for a while now but it seems like it just takes way too much time. I'm going to have try it now 🙂
Kiersten says
Yeah, making it in advance is definitely the way to go. I will never be one of those people who can whip up a batch of pancakes at the crack of dawn. 🙂
Flora says
Hi Kiersten,
I really really lover your site and have already cooked a lot of your delicious meals, but I was wondering if it would be possible for you to also mention the quantities in 'European' measurements like grams, liters and degrees Celcius...? I don't want to be the sorehead around here, and most of the time I just guess and try a little and it works out fine, but with recipes like these, I'm afraid it could all go wrong if I would rely on these contradictory convertion tools the Internet offers. Besides, you're the expert around here, so I would blindly follow your advice 🙂 I hope it wouldn't take too much of your time... Thanks in advance!
Flora says
*LOVE* (oh my god)
Kiersten says
Well, if I converted the measurements and temperatures, I'd be using those same online conversion calculators! 🙂 I'm not a trained chef and I don't have any special knowledge that would make my conversions more reliable, I'm afraid. I'm sorry!
Sarah says
Hey Flora - I'm from the UK, and I am now completely converted to using cup measures! You can buy cup measures from Tesco even. And you can also get teaspoon/tablespoon ones. So easy to cook this way! You can also get pyrex jugs with cup measures on, for liquid. I much prefer these sorts of measurements, much easier than g/oz etc.
Grace @ Earthy Feast says
Omg - you just reminded me of how my sister and I would pour those little cinnamon bun instant oatmeal packets over ice cream as an after-school treat - barf (but so good at the time)! This looks like the healthy grown-up version of that treat. I will totally make these this fall! 🙂
Kiersten says
Oatmeal on ice cream--well, that is a new one to me! 🙂 I used to come up with all kinds of ridiculous ideas for food when I was a kid too.
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir says
Oatmeal with gummy bears?! Of all the oatmeal creations, I've never heard of that one before. This variation sounds great. I'm so excited about pear season!
Kiersten says
You missed out! 😉 Maybe they weren't quite gummy bears--they were more like those little fruit snacks that come in pouches.
mjskit says
Oh I do love these oatmeal bars! The addition of the diced pears was genius and perfect this time of year. Thanks for sharing!
Priya says
Glad I found your site. Will try these soon.
Genevieve says
This morning was so gloomy looking that I was craving hot oatmeal for the first time this year! I think I've tried a baked version once and wasn't sure about the texture - it has to be the right combination of crispy and soft inside without being mushy. I love the sounds of pears with spices and maple syrup in my breakfast though!
Kiersten says
My husband is not crazy about baked oatmeal, but I can't get enough of it. But I don't like really creamy oatmeal!
Star says
In our house my husband likes the baked and I enjoy it creamy. So mine oatmeal bar goes into the microwave to reheat with milk. A win win for both of us. My husband is out buying more oats so I can try this recipe tonight.
Sylvia says
This looks amazing! I'm still trying to train myself to like oatmeal, so I'll definitely give this a shot. Think it would work with canned peaches (drained)?
Kiersten says
Yes, as long as you drain them well, it should work, although peaches won't be as firm as pears after baking. 🙂
Carlos says
Hi there,
I'm new to using oats so I may have a silly question. Should the oats be soaked in water overnight before using , rinsed or left as is?
Kiersten says
No, you don't have to soak or rinse the oats first. Just like when you make an oatmeal cookie, you just put the oats in as-is. 🙂
Judeen says
Delicious! Only problem - could eat the whole pan. 🙂
Kiersten says
Yes, that is a problem! 🙂
Gerri says
This looks wonderful, but I would like the substitute the egg with a non-animal product. What would you suggest?
Kiersten says
I haven't tried it, so I can't say for sure, but some people have mentioned trying applesauce or pumpkin. I'd guess that the slices might not stick together as well, but it should still taste good.
Alex says
Try 3 tablespoons of ground flax seed soaked in 6 tablespoons of water for approximately 10 minutes in the fridge.
Brenda Williams says
This may be my favorite ever! Love oatmeal and pears. WOW that pear photo is beautiful.
Kiersten says
Thank you! 🙂
Alex says
I've made this three times now. The first time was with a pear that wasn't quite ripe enough but it was still good. The next time, I swapped the pear for an apple from a recent apple-picking adventure. Outstanding! Tonight, I made another batch with apple and swapped the vanilla extract for butterscotch flavoring. It really amps up the maple flavor. Next I'm going to try it with soaked and drained dried apricots. I do the same thing with apricots to bake scones and the consistency they have after baking is amazing. Also, the leftover soaking water has a strong enough apricot flavor to be enjoyed on its own.
Kiersten says
You know, I have a bag of dried apricots that have been sitting in the pantry for ages--I might have to try that too!
K Mo says
Just made these, they are amazing!
Kiersten Frase says
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Luv What You Do says
Wow! This looks amazing! Love the idea of using pears. YUM!
[email protected] says
This looks incred! I love oatmeal made like this! Totally going on the breakfast list this week!
Ana says
Hi, just made this and it's really delicious, thank you !! I added raisins as well. Question, can I refrigerate the whole pan or is it better to freeze in bars?
Kiersten says
I actually just made this again this week too! I refrigerate the pan for a few days and if there's anything left after 3 or 4 days, I freeze what's left in individual bars.
Ana says
Thanks for the recipe! I make this all the time and keep it in the freezer. So good and easy! I use all sorts of fruit, canned cherries are nice, apples work too. I like to top mine with light sour cream. Mmm.
Kiersten says
I'm so glad you enjoy it - thanks for the comment!
Janell says
Hello! I love this recipe. Is it possible to double and put in a 9x13 pan? What might the baking time adjustment be?
Beth Cole says
What size square pan do you use, 8 x 8?
RACHELLE PARIS says
I may have commented on this before... but THIS is my FAVORITE recipe saved on PINTEREST! It has been a family favorite for YEARS now! I dread the day when I click the link and the recipe is gone. I should have it memorized by now LOL!
Sometimes I double the recipe and put it in a 9x13 pan. I also make sure to chop and freeze pears during pear season to use in the recipe all year long!