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If you’re looking for a breakfast treat that feels like a warm hug but also packs a nutritious punch, the Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter and Yogurt Recipe is your new best friend. These delightful little cups combine hearty oats with creamy peanut butter and luscious yogurt, creating a balance of flavors and textures that’s perfect for busy mornings or a wholesome snack. Each bite delivers comforting warmth and a hint of sweetness, topped off with your favorite fruits or nuts, making them not just tasty but endlessly customizable. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why it’s become a beloved staple for anyone craving a quick, satisfying, and nourishing start to the day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple but incredibly effective, using pantry staples that come together to create a mouthwatering snack that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. Every ingredient has a role in bringing texture, flavor, or richness to these oatmeal cups, ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
- Coconut oil (1 tablespoon, melted): Used to grease the muffin tin, it helps the oatmeal cups release easily with a subtle tropical scent.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats (2 cups): The hearty base of the oatmeal cups, providing chewiness and fiber for lasting energy.
- Peanut butter (3/4 cup): Adds creamy richness and a wonderful nutty depth, binding ingredients and boosting protein.
- Maple syrup (5 tablespoons): Brings natural sweetness while enhancing the warm flavors thanks to its caramel undertones.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the mixture with a fragrant sweetness that elevates the overall taste.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Offers warmth and spice, awakening your senses with every bite.
- Greek yogurt (3/4 cup): Used as a creamy, tangy filling that balances the richness and adds a boost of probiotics.
- Desired toppings: Fresh berries, diced fruit, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips personalize each oatmeal cup and add texture.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter and Yogurt Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (180°C). While it warms, gently brush the insides of a muffin pan with melted coconut oil or use a cooking spray. This simple step ensures your oatmeal cups will slide out effortlessly once baked, keeping their perfect shape intact and ready to be filled.
Step 2: Mix the Oatmeal Base
In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, sweet maple syrup, fragrant vanilla extract, and aromatic ground cinnamon. Stir everything until the mixture becomes well blended, with the peanut butter evenly coating the oats, creating a thick, sticky dough that will hold its form in the oven.
Step 3: Shape the Oatmeal Cups
Using two heaping tablespoons of the oat mixture per muffin well, spoon the mixture into your greased pan. Press down firmly with the spoon to not only fill the space but to create a hollow “cup” shape that will cradle the yogurt beautifully after baking. This part is fun and crucial for that signature presentation.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Pop the muffin pan into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. You want the oatmeal cups to turn a delicate golden brown, signaling that they’re cooked through and delightfully crisp on the outside while still tender inside.
Step 5: Cool and Remove
Once the baking time is up, let the cups rest in the pan for 3 to 5 minutes. This brief cooling time helps them firm up slightly, making them easier to remove without cracking. Then, carefully transfer each oatmeal cup onto a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the texture to set perfectly.
Step 6: Fill and Top
Here’s where the magic truly happens! Spoon your choice of creamy yogurt into each oatmeal cup, filling the little wells generously. Then adorn them with fresh fruit, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of chocolate chips to add color, flavor, and a bit of crunch. It’s your chance to get creative and customize your breakfast cup exactly how you like it.
How to Serve Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter and Yogurt Recipe
Garnishes
Think vibrant and fresh to contrast the warm, nutty oatmeal cups. A handful of juicy berries like blueberries or raspberries pairs beautifully with the creamy yogurt, while a sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds adds a satisfying crunch. You can even dust a touch of cinnamon or drizzle extra maple syrup on top for added flair and flavor.
Side Dishes
These oatmeal cups are hearty on their own but can be complemented by a side of fresh fruit salad or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to brighten the palate. If you’re serving a brunch, a light leafy green salad with a citrus dressing creates a refreshing counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the oatmeal cups in a large, rustic wooden platter with an assortment of toppings in small bowls, allowing everyone to customize their servings. For a party or gathering, place each cup in a colorful cupcake liner for a fun, portable breakfast that’s almost too pretty to eat—almost!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, no worries at all—they keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This makes them a perfect grab-and-go option for busy mornings, ready to enjoy whenever you need a nutritious boost.
Freezing
Baked oatmeal cups freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months, allowing you to stock up and enjoy guilt-free breakfasts on your schedule.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated oatmeal cups by popping them into the microwave for about 30-40 seconds or warming them in a low oven until heated through. Just add fresh yogurt and toppings after reheating to restore that fresh, creamy contrast that makes this dish so special.
FAQs
Can I use other nut butters instead of peanut butter?
Absolutely! Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter work wonderfully here, each offering a slightly different flavor that still pairs beautifully with the oats and yogurt.
What type of yogurt is best for filling the cups?
Greek yogurt is great for its thick texture and tangy taste, but you can use any yogurt you prefer, whether it’s flavored, dairy-free, or plain. Just choose what you enjoy most or what fits your dietary needs.
How can I make these oatmeal cups vegan?
Swap the honey or maple syrup for agave nectar if you want to avoid honey, and use a plant-based yogurt alternative like coconut or almond yogurt. Make sure your nut butter is free of animal products as well.
Can I add mix-ins to the oat mixture?
Sure! Chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruits can be stirred into the oat mixture before baking to add even more texture and flavor variety.
Are these oatmeal cups good for meal prep?
Definitely! Their sturdy but tender texture makes them perfect for preparing ahead, and their portability means they’re great for breakfasts, snacks, or even a light dessert on the go.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully comforting and satisfying about making and enjoying this Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter and Yogurt Recipe. From its simple ingredients to its flexible presentation, it offers a perfect way to brighten your mornings or energize your afternoon. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite breakfast ritual!
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Print
Baked Oatmeal Cups with Peanut Butter and Yogurt Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Oatmeal Cups are a wholesome and delicious breakfast treat made with rolled oats, peanut butter, and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness. Baked to perfection and filled with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh toppings, they offer a convenient, grab-and-go option that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal Cups
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted, to grease the pan, or other cooking oil)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 5 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey, agave nectar)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Filling and Toppings
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (or your favorite type of yogurt)
- Desired toppings such as diced fruit, fresh berries, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the insides of a muffin pan with melted coconut oil or spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the rolled oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is well blended and cohesive.
- Shape the Oatmeal Cups: Spoon the oat mixture into the muffin pan wells, using about two heaping tablespoons per well. Press the mixture down firmly with the spoon to form cup shapes that will hold the yogurt filling later.
- Bake the Cups: Place the muffin pan in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the oatmeal cups turn lightly golden brown on top.
- Cool the Cups: Let the oatmeal cups cool in the pan for 3-5 minutes. Then carefully remove them from the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Fill and Serve: Once the cups are cooled, fill each with Greek yogurt and top with your choice of fresh fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips to add flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or any other nut butter to suit your taste.
- Use honey or agave nectar instead of maple syrup for a different natural sweetness.
- For a dairy-free version, choose a plant-based yogurt alternative.
- Be sure to press the oat mixture firmly in the pan to help the cups hold their shape after baking.
- Store leftover cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- These cups can be enjoyed cold or warmed slightly in the microwave.
