Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats (Vegan Gluten-Free)
Deliciously spiced and packed with apples, these Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats are easy to make, naturally vegan and high in protein. Enjoy these cake-y oats warm or cold with a vanilla yoghurt and syrup.
Baked oats are one of my favourite ways to start the end (or for dessert in the evenings, too) as they are warming, cosy, cake-y and feel like dessert for breakfast. These ones are packed with three types of apples, lots of pecans and toffee flavour and take 5 minutes to prepare. Serve these warm to hungry friends and family or prepare a big batch to enjoy throughout the week.
Why will I love these baked oats?
These seasonal cosy oats are delicious, they are:
- Cosy, warming and comforting
- Made with three types of apples
- Made with three delicious layers
- Packed with pecans, cinnamon spices and toffee flavours
- Naturally vegan, gluten-free, easily nut-free
- High in protein and fibre
- Banana free!
- A great breakfast or brunch to keep you full for hours
- Fantastic for feeding a crowd
- A good idea for meal prep for the week
If you already love the sound of these cosy oats, skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.
What ingredients do I need?
These oats are banana free which I know is something a lot of people ask for (even though I love bananas myself). These oats are also divided into three layers: the sticky apple pecan base; the baked oats and the apple and vanilla “custard” yoghurt topping.
For the sticky apples and pecans:
- Apple: use your favourite eating apple here like Jazz, Pink Lady, Royal Gala or Braeburn.
- Pecans: for crunch and they work so well with apples and all things cosy. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seeds.
- Agave syrup: for sweetness. You can also use maple syrup or vegan honey.
- Olive or coconut oil: for frying off the apples. This adds the lovely stickty shiny.
- Cinnamon: for flavour.
As for the main baked oats:
- Applesauce: you are looking for an applesauce or apple puree that is 100% apple like the one from KoRo which I love. It is naturally sweet and adds all the sugar we need for this recipe.
- Thick coconut yoghurt: this is great for texture and creaminess as the oats cook. I like the light, natural or vanilla yoghurt from Cocos Organic. Other thick Greek-style dairy-free yoghurts will work.
- Evaporated oat milk: I had recently done a recipe with the Natures Charm evap oat milk which I love, it’s so creamy and rich and adds a real cosines to this recipe. You can use other dairy-free evaporated milks or use regular plant-based milk, the creamier the better.
- Vanilla essence: for flavour.
- Oats: the obvious ingredient. Make sure they are gluten-free where needed.
- Toffee apple protein powder: this delicious Halloween special protein from Macromike was the inspiration behind these oats, as it tastes just like toffee apples. If you don’t have this, you can use another flavour like vanilla, salted caramel, peanut butter or cinnamon bun. You can save 10% on all the products with code AMB-AMY.
- Chia seeds: to thicken the oats and add goodness. You may notice that non-vegan baked oats often use eggs, this chia seeds replace the need for this.
- Baking powder: for rise.
- Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice: you can use either, depending on your preference. I have a delicious homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe here.
- Pecans: chop these up for inside the oats. If make these nut-free, swap these for sunflower seeds or chocolate chips.
- White chocolate chips: make sure these are dairy-free. I love the KoRo white chocolate buttons as they are a golden caramel colour from the coconut blossom sugar.
As for the topping:
- Apple: the third apple component, slice this thinly and lay out on top of the oats.
- Agave syrup: or ample syrup as above. Brushing this over the apple slices before it bakes ensures they turn nice and sticky in the oven.
- Thick coconut yogurt: as above.
- Vanilla protein powder: as above, I use Macromike and this adds the thickness to the yoghurt to make a really lovely yogurt-glaze.
How do I make these breakfast oats?
These oats are really easy to make and just have a few steps:
- Make the sticky apples and pecans: add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and cook for 5 minutes till sticky and glossy.
- Whisk together all the wet ingredients for the baked oats: till smooth.
- Add in the dry ingredients: and stir.
- Fold in the pecans and chocolate: till combined.
- Spread the sticky apples and pecans into a dish: I use an 8-inch round dish.
- Spread over the baked oat mix: and smooth over the top.
- Arrange the apple slices on top: and brush with agave syrup.
- Bake for 30 minutes or so: until golden.
- Top with the vanilla yoghurt: some extra pecans and syrup.
Are these oats gluten-free and nut-free?
Yes, these are gluten-free, just check that your oats are gluten-free. To make these nut-free, swap the pecans for sunflower of pumpkin seeds or skip them all together.
How long will these last?
These oats are great to make ahead as they will keep for 3-5 days in a sealed container in the fridge or you can freeze them for up to 1 month. Allow the oats to defrost at room temperature or in the microwave. Enjoy cold or warm back up in the oven for 10 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (cooking on short bursts to check).
I don’t have protein powder, can I still make them?
If you want to top up your protein powders, I really recommend Macromike, they are so deliciously creamy and the flavours are amazing, The brand is 100% vegan, gluten-free and focused on gut health, nutrition and balance. That said, if you need to make these without protein powder, leave this out or use 25g more oats.
I love baked oats, what else can I make?
I hope you are going to love these Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats and if you are looking for more ideas, how about my:
- Pecan Pie Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- Kinder Bueno Baked Oats
- Chocolate and Fig Baked Oats
- White Chocolate Berry Baked Oats
- Easy Vegan Porridge Oats 3 Ways
Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats
Deliciously spiced and packed with apples, these Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats are easy to make, naturally vegan and high in protein. Enjoy these cake-y oats warm or cold with a vanilla yoghurt and syrup.
Ingredients
For the Sticky Apples and Pecans:
- 1 eating apple, chopped small
- 20g pecans, crushed
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- 1 tsp olive or coconut oil
- ½ tsp cinnamon
For the Oats:
- 100g applesauce
- 120g thick coconut yoghurt
- 120ml evaporated oat milk (or plant-based milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 100g oats
- 30g toffee apple protein powder*
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
- 40g pecans, chopped
- 40g white chocolate chips
For Topping:
- 1 eating apple, core and sliced thinly
- 1 tsp agave syrup, plus extra to serve
- 100g thick coconut yoghurt
- 20g vegan vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180*C.
- To a small saucepan, add all the ingredients for the sticky apples and pecans and once hot, allow to cook for 5 minutes till sticky and softening. Leave to one side.
- For the baked oats: into a large bowl stir together the applesauce, yoghurt, milk and vanilla till smooth. Now add in the oats, protein powder, chia seeds, baking powder and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Stir to a smooth batter.
- Fold in the pecans and most of the chocolate chips.
into an 8-inch oven-proof dish, lay the sticky apples and pecans. Now top with the baked oats mix and smooth over the top. - Lay over the apple slices and brush with maple syrup (to prevent them from drying out). Sprinkle over the extra chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and cakey.
- While it cools for 5 minutes, stir together the yoghurt and protein for the topping.
- Serve the baked oats topped with the vanilla yoghurt, some maple syrup and extra pecans.
- Enjoy warm or cold and keep the oats, once cool, in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Allow to defrost at room temperature or in the microwave and warm back up in the oven or microwave.
Notes
*You can use other flavoured protein, where needed
Recommended Products
As a brand ambassador and affiliate, I may earn commission from links.
I look forward to hearing what you think of these Toffee Apple Pecan Baked Oats so please leave a comment below and a star review above. If you do make these, I’d love to see them so please tag me, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest – please say hello!
With toffee apple oats of love x
Skip to Recipe