Introduction

Remember those chilly mornings when a warm hug in a bowl was just what you needed? This Vanilla Chai Baked Oatmeal is like bottling up that feeling and serving it for breakfast! It’s incredibly easy to whip up, perfect for those busy mornings when you still want something comforting and delicious. Imagine the aroma of chai spices and vanilla filling your kitchen – pure bliss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Mix it all up in minutes!
Easy: Perfect for beginners and busy bees.
Giftable: Bake a batch and share the warmth with friends.
Crowd-pleasing: Everyone from kids to adults will adore this comforting dish.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, here’s what you’ll need to make this delightful baked oatmeal:

1 cup steel cut oats: These give our oatmeal a wonderful texture.
2/3 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped: For a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting them really brings out their best!
2 tablespoons maple syrup: A touch of natural sweetness.
2 teaspoons chai spice mix: The heart of our cozy flavor! You can buy this or make your own with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
Pinch of salt: Just a little to balance all the sweet and spice.
½ cup raisins (optional): If you love a little chewy sweetness, these are a great addition.
2 cups milk: Your favorite kind works here.
½ cup cream: For that extra rich, creamy texture. If you want to lighten it up, just use more milk!
2 teaspoons vanilla: The classic comforting flavor.
2 tablespoons melted butter: Adds richness and helps it bake up beautifully.
2 tablespoons granulated sugar: For a sweet, crispy topping.
¼ teaspoon cinnamon: To sprinkle on top for that extra cinnamon-kissed goodness.

How to Make It

Ready to get baking? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! (Well, a few more numbers, but you get the idea!)

Get the Oven Ready: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a nice 8×8 inch baking dish and give it a quick grease so nothing sticks.
Dry Ingredients Unite: In a big bowl, toss together your steel cut oats, chopped pecans, maple syrup, chai spice mix, salt, and those optional raisins. Give it a good stir.
Wet Ingredients Whisk Away: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together your milk, cream (or extra milk!), vanilla, and melted butter. Easy peasy!
Combine the Magic: Now, pour all those lovely wet ingredients into the big bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until it’s all nicely combined. Make sure there are no dry spots!
Into the Dish: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Sweet Topping Time: In a tiny bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this lovely mixture evenly over the top of your oatmeal. This is what gives it that irresistible golden crust!
Bake Until Golden: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the oatmeal looks set and the topping is a beautiful, light golden brown.
A Moment to Relax: Let it stand for just a few minutes before you dive in. This helps it set up perfectly.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, and you can totally make it your own! Here are some ideas:

For the Cream: If you don’t have cream or prefer a lighter option, just use an extra ½ cup of milk. It will still be delicious!
Nutty Swaps: Walnuts or almonds would be lovely chopped up instead of pecans.
Fruit Fun: Feel free to add in fresh or frozen berries like blueberries or raspberries along with the raisins. Or, try dried cranberries for a tart bite.
Sweetener Savvy: Honey or agave nectar can be used instead of maple syrup. Adjust to your sweetness preference.
Spice It Up: If you don’t have a chai spice mix, you can create your own! A good starting point is ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp ginger, and a pinch of cloves.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to ensure your baked oatmeal turns out perfectly every time:

Don’t Overmix: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, just stir until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can sometimes make baked goods tough.
Grease Your Dish Well: A good greasing or lining with parchment paper will make cleanup a breeze and ensure your oatmeal doesn’t stick.
Prep Ahead: You can totally assemble the dry ingredients the night before and store them in an airtight container. In the morning, just whisk the wet ingredients, combine, and bake! It’s a game-changer for busy mornings.
Steel Cut vs. Rolled Oats: This recipe is specifically for steel-cut oats. Rolled oats will bake much faster and have a different texture, so it’s best to stick with steel-cut for this one.

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This baked oatmeal reheats beautifully.

In the Fridge: Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can pop a slice in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or for a warmer, softer result, warm it gently in a skillet on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the entire dish the night before and bake it in the morning. Just cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
What kind of milk should I use? Any kind of milk works! Dairy milk (whole, 2%, skim) or non-dairy alternatives like almond, oat, or soy milk are all great options.
Can I use rolled oats instead of steel-cut oats? While you can technically use rolled oats, the texture and baking time will be quite different. This recipe is specifically developed for the heartier chew of steel-cut oats. If you do use rolled oats, reduce the baking time significantly (likely to around 20-25 minutes) and be aware that the consistency will be softer.

Vanilla Chai Baked Oatmeal

Cozy up with this easy and comforting Vanilla Chai Baked Oatmeal, perfect for busy mornings or a delightful brunch. It's filled with warming chai spices, creamy milk, and a sweet, crispy topping.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

8x8 inch baking dish
Large bowl
Small bowl
Tiny bowl

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 cup steel cut oats
0.66 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped Toasting them really brings out their best!
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons chai spice mix You can buy this or make your own with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
0.25 teaspoon salt Just a little to balance all the sweet and spice.
0.5 cup raisins optional. If you love a little chewy sweetness, these are a great addition.
2 cups milk Your favorite kind works here.
0.5 cup cream For that extra rich, creamy texture. If you want to lighten it up, just use more milk!
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons melted butter Adds richness and helps it bake up beautifully.
2 tablespoons granulated sugar For a sweet, crispy topping.
0.25 teaspoon cinnamon To sprinkle on top for that extra cinnamon-kissed goodness.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a nice 8x8 inch baking dish and give it a quick grease so nothing sticks.
In a big bowl, toss together your steel cut oats, chopped pecans, maple syrup, chai spice mix, salt, and those optional raisins. Give it a good stir.
1 cup steel cut oats
In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together your milk, cream (or extra milk!), vanilla, and melted butter. Easy peasy!
1 cup steel cut oats
Now, pour all those lovely wet ingredients into the big bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until it's all nicely combined. Make sure there are no dry spots!
Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
In a tiny bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this lovely mixture evenly over the top of your oatmeal. This is what gives it that irresistible golden crust!
1 cup steel cut oats
Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the oatmeal looks set and the topping is a beautiful, light golden brown.
Let it stand for just a few minutes before you dive in. This helps it set up perfectly.

Notes

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving and can be customized. For a lighter option, use only milk instead of cream. Walnuts or almonds can be substituted for pecans. Berries or dried cranberries can be added for extra fruitiness. Honey or agave nectar can replace maple syrup. If you don't have chai spice mix, a combination of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves can be used. For best results, use steel-cut oats. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.