Baked oatmeal is a delectable Amish breakfast dish that resembles eating an oatmeal cookie for breakfast. Unlike traditional stovetop oatmeal, bakes oatmeal is prepared in the oven, as the name implies. There are a few crockpot recipes for making this dish, but they won’t have the same crust or texture as those made in the oven.
Water is used in almost all stovetop oatmeal recipes. In this regard, baked oatmeal is unique in that it uses a combination of milk, egg, and melted butter for liquids. These are combined with brown sugar and quick oats, then ladled into a greased baking pan and baked for 30 minutes. Some chefs are quick to point out that the ingredients can be assembled the night before the dish is to be baked. If you prepare the ingredients the night before, breakfast can become extremely simple.
The top of the dish becomes crusty and crumbly as it bakes, similar to the topping on fruit crisps. Meanwhile, the oats beneath the top absorb moisture and expand, similar to how stovetop oatmeal does. Simply spoon out large portions into bowls to serve. Because the baked oatmeal already contains sugar, there isn’t much need for additional sweetness.
Toppings like berries, other fresh fruit, and sour cream or yogurt can be used to get creative. You can also add raisins, apple chunks, or cinnamon to recipes. Some people add chopped almonds, cranberries, or dried apricots to their salad. Because oatmeal has a simple, light flavor that blends well with most fruits and nuts, get creative with your additions.
Baked oatmeal recipes can easily be doubled to make larger quantities, which are ideal for feeding a large family or a group of people for breakfast. Baked oatmeal also works well as a brunch or breakfast side dish. If you’re having a potluck brunch or breakfast, it’s quick to make, but make sure you serve it while it’s still hot.
This variation on a simple breakfast cereal is well-known in Pennsylvania, particularly among those who live near Amish settlements. There are literally hundreds of different recipes to try on the Internet, many of which produce excellent results. Another place to look for this dish’s recipe is in cookbooks about Pennsylvania Dutch or Amish cuisine.