This cinnamon roll baked oatmeal recipe is a sweet, gooey, fluffy and ultra delicious healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert!

Healthy cinnamon roll baked oats

I blame Ikea.

It is impossible to walk out of that store not craving cinnamon rolls.

The aroma of their freshly baked rolls permeates the entire warehouse, as if they’ve sprayed cinnamon scented perfume in every room.

I spent yesterday afternoon happily shopping for furniture while dreaming of soft homemade cinnamon rolls.

Wanting a healthier option, I baked up this wholesome single serving cinnamon roll baked oatmeal for breakfast the next morning.

It gives you all the gooey comforting goodness of a classic cinnamon roll, with whole grains, fiber, and protein at the same time!

You may also like: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Step by step recipe video

Key ingredients

Rolled oats – You need a half cup of old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats. For gluten free baked oatmeal, use certified gluten free oats or substitute rolled quinoa flakes.

Applesauce – I like applesauce (sweetened or unsweetened) because it compliments the cinnamon flavor. You can swap mashed banana, pumpkin puree, or Greek yogurt for a high protein boost.

Sweetener – Liquid sweeteners like honey or pure maple syrup work well. Or if you want a breakfast with no sugar added, use the equivalent sweetness amount of stevia.

Cinnamon – The star of the show. It wouldn’t be a cinnamon roll without ground cinnamon! Play around with complimentary spices if you wish, such as a pinch of ginger, nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice.

Nut butter (optional) – A tablespoon of a neutral tasting nut butter (like cashew or almond butter) or melted coconut oil adds incredible richness and really makes it feel like you’re eating dessert.

Add ins of choice – Feel free to stir in a spoonful of raisins or dates, dried figs or cranberries, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, or finely diced apple.

Other ingredients – The dessert baked oatmeal recipe also calls for pure vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and water or milk of choice.

While the cinnamon is out, make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

How to make cinnamon roll baked oatmeal

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375° Fahrenheit (190° Celsius). Alternatively, you can cook the recipe in a microwave or preheated toaster oven.
2. Grease a one cup ramekin, mini loaf pan, or small heat-safe dish with oil or fat free spray. Want a double layer cinnamon roll oatmeal cake? Grease two half cup ramekins instead, or line the bottoms with parchment paper.
3. In a small mixing bowl, stir the oats, cinnamon, salt, and any other dry ingredients.
4. Whisk in the applesauce, water, sweetener, nut butter, vanilla extract, and all remaining ingredients.
5. Spread the uncooked mixture into the prepared dish or pan.
6. Bake on the center rack of your oven for fifteen minutes, or microwave until fully cooked. (Microwave time should take around one to three minutes and will vary depending on the wattage of your machine.)
7. Let cool, then frost if desired and enjoy for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
8. For optimal freshness, refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to five days. Or freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw or reheat frozen oatmeal before eating.

Prefer traditional cinnamon rolls? Try these Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Frosting the cinnamon oatmeal

Protein frosting: Top the oats with your favorite thick yogurt or dairy free alternative. Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder or sweetener to taste if desired.

Cream cheese frosting: Use store bought icing or whip up the quick homemade cream cheese frosting written out in my recipe for Carrot Cake Bars.

Powdered sugar glaze: Stir two tablespoons powdered sugar with a few drops water, milk, or lemon juice. If glaze is too thick, add more liquid.

Coconut butter frosting: This is one of my personal favorites. Spread your oatmeal with warmed buttery Coconut Butter. You may not even need additional sweetener.

Other options: Eat the cinnamon roll baked oatmeal plain, topped with mashed banana, or spread with almond, apple or pumpkin butter.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if IKEA bottled their cinnamon scent and sold it as perfume?

Or maybe I am the only one who wants to smell like a giant cinnamon bun…

Just thinking out loud here…

The recipe was inspired by my Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.

More delicious oatmeal recipes

Oatmeal Banana Bread

Protein Overnight Oats

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Baked Oats

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Chocolate Overnight Oats

Oatmeal Muffins

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

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