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!).
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
The Mr's mom sends him pears for his birthday every year. You can bet I'll probably be making a batch of these depending on how many she sends him this year!
Kiersten says
It will be a nice change of pace from your usual oatmeal! 🙂
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
i would love to have oatmeal in the form of cake 🙂 I am with you when it comes to breakfast - just microwave and eat.
Julia says
This is the perfect time of year for baked oatmeal! I have a pear sitting on my counter, oatmeal and maple syrup in the pantry, and almond milk in the refrigerator. I'm all over this!
Kiersten says
It's meant to be! 🙂
dishing up the dirt says
I have wanted to try baked oatmeal for so long now. I'm not sure why I haven't jumped on this idea yet. The valley we live in is full of pear and apple orchards and this baked oatmeal sounds absolutely delicious and comforting. Yum!
Kiersten says
It would be the perfect breakfast for you with all the work you do--nothing keeps you full all morning long like oatmeal!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I'm digging the sound of oatmeal cake. It's fall, and fall means oatmeal every morning for breakfast. What can I say, I'm a creature of habit. This is totally going to happen.
Kiersten says
Yeah, fall is definitely time for oatmeal, isn't it? 🙂
EA-The Spicy RD says
I love making baked oatmeal for dinner {when hubby is out of town, since he's not a breakfast for dinner kind of guy}, then serving up the leftovers for b-fast the next day-two meals in one 🙂 Can't wait to try your spiced pear version-yum!
Kiersten says
I LOVE doing breakfast for dinner. It feels kind of subversive, doesn't it? 😉
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I have everything I need for this and am making it tonight. Yes, tonight!! Because I am a total "bar" addict (and so are the kids) and can't wait to try this!!
Kiersten says
Yay, I hope you guys like it! Did I tell you I made your peach jam a few weekends ago? So tasty!
BusyWorkingMama says
Looks and sounds delicious!
Jennifer M says
I am loving baked oatmeal right now. I've been making it on Sunday for the week. My girlfriend has a pear tree and doesn't know what to do with it. I think I might have an idea...I've never frozen baked oatmeal. Think it might be worth a try!
Kiersten says
I like freezing it because my husband's not a big baked oatmeal fan so it's just me eating it. 🙂 It definitely freezes and reheats well!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts during the week. This looks amazing, and a nice reminder that I need more baked oatmeal in my life!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I love this--especially the spice profile! I have a pear getting a tad too mushy in the fridge and it would be SO perfect for this.
Kiersten says
Yuck, I hate mushy pears! This would be perfect then. 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I could eat these cake squares everyday, what a luxury. I will not mind making these regularly, looks so good.
Caitlin says
i love oatmeal, too, and this baked oatmeal looks awesome! i love the idea of freezing them until the morning 😉
my favorite breakfast as a kid wasn't oatmeal, it was poptarts and toaster struedel, and donuts.
Kiersten says
I loved Pop Tarts too (although I usually had them as a snack) and I remember when Toaster Struedels came out, I thought they were so much healthier and better for me--ha ha.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These oatmeal bars with spiced pear look right up my alley, Kiersten.
Holly says
I've always had texture issues with oatmeal...but oatmeal in a nearly cake form? Now you are speaking my language! I think I could try this for sure. Apple butter or the peach butter I made recently might top mine for breakfast. I'll let you know how it goes in my kitchen.
Kiersten says
I don't like my oatmeal too creamy, so while I do like traditional oatmeal, I like this more. Topping it with apple or peach butter would be perfect!
Jameka says
Ohh I can't wait to make these. I'm making a run to get pears as soon as possible! Thanks for this one Kiersten
Kiersten says
I hope you like the recipe if you make it! 🙂
Kate says
I have loved baked oatmeal since first finding a recipe for it many years ago. Sweet with fruit and so warm and comforting, not to mention filling, hearty and delicious, they are a go to breakfast when the thermometer drops. I am putting this one front and center for the coming cold season.
Kiersten says
Baked oatmeal is a recent discovery for me, but I think it's going to show up at the breakfast table a lot this fall! I love a warm breakfast when it's chilly out. 🙂
Joy //For the Love of Leaves says
This looks really tasty! I love baked oatmeal! When I was a kid I loved the dinosaur oatmeal packets. They had candy eggs in them that hatched into dinosaurs when you added hot water... Where did they come up with this stuff?
Kiersten says
Oh, I think I remember those too! Anything to get kids to nag their parents to buy their products, right?
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
This is the perfect fall breakfast with the pears and spices; I need to remember to make this, I love having breakfast already made in the fridge! Baked oatmeal is perfect for people who say they don't like the texture of regular oatmeal too (though I love it both ways!)
Kiersten says
My husband loves regular oatmeal, but he isn't a fan of the texture of the baked kind. But I think I prefer it baked. 🙂
Christine (Cook the Story) says
Oh wow! These bars sound so tasty and healthy. And, gotta say, that pear photograph is outstanding. I just stared at it for like 5 minutes. Love!
Kiersten says
Aw, thank you! I had a perfect subject to work with. 🙂
Connie says
I have never heard of Undercover Bears. Where was I? The 5 year old in me is upset at my parents, but current me is grossed out. As we have a glut of apples, I think I'll try this recipe in hopes of dwindling our stash. They look great (unlike the bears...)
Kiersten says
You definitely missed out! Or not. Maybe not. But man, I really loved those things. This would be perfect with apples!
Tracey says
I can't wait to try this, but would like to omit the egg. Will other binders found in vegan recipes work? (Banana, applesauce).
Kiersten says
I haven't made it vegan, so I can't say for sure. Banana, applesauce, or ground flax would probably work--I'd guess that the bars wouldn't hold together quite as well, but I think they'll still taste good!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I was never into Undercover Bears, but I totally remember the Swirlers! I didn't really get into oatmeal until I was an adult ... and I love it in bar form!
Yes, I am also very lazy (pretty sure it's because I don't get enough sleep - but that's beside the point!) in the morning. If it's something that requires any labor - forgetaboutit. Not happening. These would be a fabulous solution to my sluggish mornings - and I think my kids would totally love these, too! Awesome!!!
Kiersten says
Oh man, I am with you on the lack of sleep. I'm sure I would be more of a morning person if I didn't have this pesky insomnia thing. Pouring milk into a bowl seems like a Herculean effort some days. I think baked oatmeal would be perfect for you! 🙂
Daria says
It has been a long time since I have left any comment on your blog. To be honest I wasn't a big fan of oatmeal, but when I began reading your blog, I tried your "Cocoa Nib & Pomegranate Overnight Oats", and fell in love with oatmeal. I eat it almost every day for breakfast:) since then (with many different fruit variations). And I also love pears. So I am definitely going to make this tomorrow. Pears, oats and cinnamon - how could I resist?;)
Kiersten says
Yay, I hope you like it! It's definitely different from overnight oats, but it's nice to have something warm for breakfast in the fall. 🙂
Birit says
Hi! These look like amazing kid breakfasts. We are vegan though. Any ideas on what I could substitute for the egg? I am so hungry right now I want to eat my screen! : )
Kiersten says
I haven't made it without egg, but I think you could substitute ground flax + water. It might not stay together as well as the original version, but I think it would still taste good!