Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats

These Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats are the definition of comfort—a warm, spiced breakfast that’s reminiscent of the popular cookie. The batter comes together with minimal prep, then bakes into a dish that’s lightly sweet and perfectly spiced. The natural sweetness of raisins gives each bite little pops of flavor, plus contributes fiber. Pack up the oats for grab-and-go breakfasts, or dress them with a dollop of Greek-style yogurt and a handful of fresh fruit if you’re feeding a crowd. No matter how you enjoy them, it’s the kind of recipe that makes your mornings feel taken care of. Ready to get baking? Read on for our best tips and tricks below.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Letting the mixture stand for 10 minutes before baking softens the oats a little and distributes the liquid so they bake up tender rather than dry.
• You can swap in 2% or nonfat milk for the whole milk if you prefer, but the texture may be slightly less rich and creamy
• Serve with toasted chopped walnuts or pecans, a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of vanilla strained Greek-style yogurt.

Nutrition Notes

• Oats are a perfect ingredient to start your day thanks to their fiber content, which can provide steady energy and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Oats contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which is particularly effective at lowering cholesterol. The oats along with fiber-rich raisins will give you sustained energy as you start your day. Oats are naturally gluten-free though they can be contaminated with gluten during processing. If you’re following a gluten-free routine, be sure to purchased oats that are certified gluten-free.
• Cinnamon is not just a tasty spice, but also contains significant health benefits. Cinnamon contains a flavonoid called cinnamaldehyde, which is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation. It can also support healthy blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. 
• Raisins are dehydrated grapes and provide a good source of fiber. The fiber found in raisins can help to support a healthy gut and also help stabilize blood sugars. You’ll even find antioxidants for heart health as well as antibacterial properties in raisins. Just be aware that since raisins are a dried fruit, they will have a higher concentration of natural sugars, so be mindful of portion sizes. 
• Dairy found in milk and strained (Greek-style) yogurt provides protein, calcium and vitamin D. Dairy foods can help build strong bones, improve blood sugar and support weight-loss efforts. Because this recipe calls for full-fat versions of milk and yogurt, it can help promote satiety, providing some extra staying power to these oats so you’ll feel satisfied all morning.