Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal – Cozy, Festive and Protein-Packed Holiday Breakfast

🎉 Introduction

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate cozy holiday breakfast—warm, comforting, and filled with bright citrus flavor. Tart cranberries pair beautifully with fragrant orange zest, while baked oats create a soft, cake-like texture that feels indulgent yet nourishing.

This recipe is perfect for holiday mornings, brunch gatherings, or meal-prep breakfasts during colder months. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and boosted with protein, it’s satisfying without being heavy. Finished with a simple orange glaze, this baked oatmeal feels festive enough for celebrations but easy enough for everyday mornings.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• 8×8-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zester or fine grater
• Oven

🛒 Ingredients

Baked Oatmeal

• 2 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups milk
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange (plus optional lemon zest for brightness)
• 9/16 cup orange juice

Orange Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2–3 tablespoons orange juice

These ingredients create baked oatmeal that’s soft, lightly sweet, tangy, and perfect for the holidays.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Make the Baked Oatmeal

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.

Step 2:
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange juice.

Step 3:
Add the vanilla protein powder and whisk until smooth.

Step 4:
Stir in the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest.

Step 5:
Fold in the cranberries evenly.

Step 6:
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 7:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.

Step 8:
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5–10 minutes.

Make the Orange Glaze

Step 9:
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.

Step 10:
Drizzle the glaze over the warm baked oatmeal just before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

Perfect for holiday mornings, brunch, or make-ahead breakfasts.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days

Reheating:

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave
• Or warm in the oven at low heat

🥄 Variations

• Nutty: Add chopped walnuts or pecans
• Dairy-free: Use plant-based milk
• No glaze: Serve plain or with yogurt
• Extra citrus: Add more orange zest
• Higher protein: Add an extra half scoop protein powder

Each variation keeps the oatmeal festive, flexible, and comforting.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is this oatmeal sweet?
   Lightly sweet with balanced tartness.
2. Can I use frozen cranberries?
   Yes, no need to thaw.
3. Is this kid-friendly?
   Yes, especially with the glaze.
4. Can I make it ahead?
   Absolutely—great for meal prep.
5. Does it taste like cake?
   Soft and baked, similar to breakfast cake.
6. Is it healthy?
   Yes, whole grains and protein-rich.
7. Can I freeze it?
   Yes, up to 2 months.
8. What milk works best?
   Any milk works well.
9. Can I skip protein powder?
   Yes, texture will still be good.
10. Is it gluten-free?
    Use certified gluten-free oats.

🏁 Conclusion

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal brings warmth, comfort, and festive flavor to your breakfast table. With its bright citrus notes, tart cranberries, and cozy baked texture, it’s the perfect dish for slow holiday mornings and busy weekdays alike.

One bite, and it feels like the holidays.

Adam

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal – Cozy, Festive and Protein-Packed Holiday Breakfast

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate cozy holiday breakfast—warm, comforting, and filled with bright citrus flavor. Tart cranberries pair beautifully with fragrant orange zest, while baked oats create a soft, cake-like texture that feels indulgent yet nourishing. This recipe is perfect for holiday mornings, brunch gatherings, or meal-prep breakfasts during colder months. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and boosted with protein, it’s satisfying without being heavy. Finished with a simple orange glaze, this baked oatmeal feels festive enough for celebrations but easy enough for everyday mornings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

bake time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Baked Oatmeal

• 2 cups rolled oats old-fashioned
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups milk
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange plus optional lemon zest for brightness
• 9/16 cup orange juice

Orange Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 –3 tablespoons orange juice
• These ingredients create baked oatmeal that’s soft lightly sweet, tangy, and perfect for the holidays.

Equipment

• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• 8×8-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zester or fine grater
• Oven

Method

 

1. Make the Baked Oatmeal

Step 1:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.

Step 2:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange juice.

Step 3:

1. Add the vanilla protein powder and whisk until smooth.

Step 4:

1. Stir in the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest.

Step 5:

1. Fold in the cranberries evenly.

Step 6:

1. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 7:

1. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.

Step 8:

1. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5–10 minutes.
2. Make the Orange Glaze

Step 9:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.

Step 10:

1. Drizzle the glaze over the warm baked oatmeal just before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days

Reheating:

Reheat individual portions in the microwave

Or warm in the oven at low heat

🥄 Variations

Nutty: Add chopped walnuts or pecans

Dairy-free: Use plant-based milk

No glaze: Serve plain or with yogurt

Extra citrus: Add more orange zest

Higher protein: Add an extra half scoop protein powder

Each variation keeps the oatmeal festive, flexible, and comforting.

❓ 10 FAQs

Is this oatmeal sweet?
Lightly sweet with balanced tartness.

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, no need to thaw.

Is this kid-friendly?
Yes, especially with the glaze.

Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely—great for meal prep.

Does it taste like cake?
Soft and baked, similar to breakfast cake.

Is it healthy?
Yes, whole grains and protein-rich.

Can I freeze it?
Yes, up to 2 months.

What milk works best?
Any milk works well.

Can I skip protein powder?
Yes, texture will still be good.

Is it gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free oats.

🏁 Conclusion

Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal brings warmth, comfort, and festive flavor to your breakfast table. With its bright citrus notes, tart cranberries, and cozy baked texture, it’s the perfect dish for slow holiday mornings and busy weekdays alike.

One bite, and it feels like the holidays.