![\"Just-out-of-the-oven](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_8178-e1654193057568.jpg\")
<\/a>Just-out-of-the-oven Crunchy Baked Oatmeal. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
I’ve tried making this fun brunch dish several different ways, all with pretty much the same high amount of success. So I’m, as usual, telling it to you the way Mr. X and I like it best, with many choices for your own preferences along the way. (I usually like exact<\/em> directions, but in this case, some of the flexible ingredients are all up to you!)<\/p>\n This is actually a really easy dish to make\u2014the only time-consuming chores are chopping the nuts, apple, and carrot.<\/p>\n It’s one you should experiment for yourselves. You don’t even really taste the carrots and apples, but they’re basically necessary to help hold it all together. So please don’t let dislike of those two ingredients stop you. (Mr. X really<\/em> doesn’t like carrots, but he loves, loves, loves this dish!)<\/p>\n But please do<\/em> experiment with different amounts of everything else, depending on if you like it harder or a bit more liquidy, sweeter or more savory, coconut-y or not, etc.<\/p>\n After trying sooo many different iterations of this recipe, this is the one that works best for Mr. X and me. You can always share your own adjustments in the Comment below.<\/p>\n INGREDIENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n All the ingredients. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n FIRST GROUPING<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 and 1\/2 cups any<\/em> type of milk (It’s really just for the wetness, but I prefer almond milk, for the health value.)<\/p>\n \u00bd cup orange juice<\/p>\n 1\/3 cup liquid egg whites (But 1 large egg will do just as well.)<\/p>\n 3\/4 cup maple syrup (I prefer the real thing, but even an inexpensive \u201cimitation\u201d one will do. I often use sugar-free, to ensure the dish is 100% healthful. If you’re not a fan of maple flavor, excellent alternatives are honey or agave syrup, and even any type of sugar will do. But I heavily suggest maple syrup. And adjust the amount for how sweet you like the dish.)<\/p>\n 3 tbsp. melted margarine or butter (Unsalted is best, but if you have only salted on hand, try leaving out the salt itself.)<\/p>\n 1 tsp. baking powder<\/p>\n 1 tsp. kosher salt (The big grains of kosher salt are best for this recipe, but if all you have is regular salt, go for it.)<\/p>\n 1 tsp. cinnamon<\/p>\n 1 tsp. vanilla extract [Note: Measure the above three non-liquid ingredients first, so you can use the same teaspoon for all four.]<\/p>\n SECOND GROUPING<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 \u00bd cups old-fashioned oats<\/p>\n Chopped\/ready ingredients. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n 1 cup chopped apple (About 1 medium)<\/p>\n 1 cup chopped carrot (I use 8 or 9 fat baby ones, but if you have only normal sized ones, try using 1 large one)<\/p>\n \u00bd cup crasins (Or raisins, if you prefer)<\/p>\n \u00bd cup chopped nuts (Walnuts are best for health purposes, but you can use whichever you like best\u2014pecans are my second choice)<\/p>\n \u00bd cup shredded coconut<\/p>\n TOPPING<\/strong><\/p>\n Just a bit more chopped nuts. Actually, whole or halves make it look better, especially if it’s for company.<\/p>\n DIRECTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Most cooking and baking directions say to pre-heat the oven first, but I never do, until I have the dish ready to go in. You never know if a phone will ring, or if you’ll have to run out and buy an ingredient or two in the middle of the preparation, or the kids will need you\u2014who knows. So waiting a few extra minutes is nothing compared to how bad it would be if you left it on during an emergency. But in this<\/em> case, set the oven to 375\u00b0 when the mixture is ready to go.<\/p>\n Mixing the liquid ingredients. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Spray an 8×8 baking dish with pan spray.<\/p>\n In a big bowl, mix together the milk, orange juice, maple syrup, egg, melted butter, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, and vanilla. [Note: Sometimes the melted butter gets a tad hard when it’s mixed in with all the liquid ingredients, but it’s okay. Just break it up a bit; it will melt again in the oven.]<\/p>\n Then add the oats, apple, carrot, raisins, nuts, and coconut, and mix it all up.<\/p>\n Ready to go in the oven; it just needs to be topped with whole or halved nuts first. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Pour it into the oiled-up baking dish and top it with more nuts, whole or halved look best, but chopped will do, of course.<\/p>\n Bake for about forty-five minutes, until the top is as dark as you like it. We sometimes put it under the boiler for a minute or two, but keep your eye on it if you do that, as well.<\/p>\n It’s best served warm, so go for it in a few minutes.<\/p>\nCRUNCHY BAKED OATMEAL<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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