Easy Oatmeal with Baked Fruits (in Air Fryer)

Why This Recipe?

So here’s the dilemma: you want warm oatmeal, but you’re feeling lazy, too tired, or simply don’t have time to stand by the stove and mix the oatmeal to avoid it getting burnt. Listen, I have a solution on how to make creamy and delicious oatmeal that tastes even better, and you don’t have to spend almost any time on it. You don’t need a stove, a pot, or any utensils. Just an air fryer and some oven-safe glass or ceramic container. This is really the easiest oatmeal recipe ever. You can even enjoy the oatmeal straight from the container if you are careful enough, making this recipe absolutely mess-free. Plus, you can meal prep it days in advance!

Does Oatmeal from the Air Fryer Taste Different?

Actually yes! It’s noticeably sweeter! I discovered that the air fryer enhances the caramelization process for the fruits. In traditional stove-prepared oatmeal, the fruits tend to become soggy and miss out on the caramelization achieved in the air fryer.

Morning Prep Tip

On busy mornings, waiting 17 minutes for your air fryer oatmeal can feel like a lot. But what you can do is to grab the ready-to-be-warmed oatmeal from the fridge (prepped the night before for quicker mornings, already in an oven-safe container) and pop it in the air fryer. Don’t forget to remove the container lid. Use that time to do your morning stuff – brush your teeth, get dressed, and be ready. When you’re back, your warm oatmeal is good to go. If you’re in a hurry, put it in a thermal flask for a cozy breakfast later!

Ingredients

• (Quick) Oats: I usually use quick oats because I find the finished oatmeal creamier, but rolled oats work in this recipe just fine. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.

• Milk: Any kind of milk works, but I prefer oat milk.

• Fruits: Add your favorite fruits. Some great options are bananas, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

• Sweetener: Use any sweetener of your choice. My go-to options are maple syrup, date syrup or caramel sauce.

• Vanilla: I opt for vanilla powder, but you can use vanilla extract or omit it. Vanilla powder provides a richer flavor, but it’s more expensive.

• Salt: Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.

• Other optional ingredients – You can customize your oatmeal however you want. You can try adding chia seeds, nuts, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, cinnamon, or gingerbread spice mix.

Required Equipment

• Air Fryer: Ensure that your air fryer has a temperature setting of 120°C / 250°F.

• Oven-Safe Containers: Opt for glass or ceramic containers; avoid plastic. My preferred choice for oven-safe glass containers is from IKEA.

Photo Guide

Storing

• Fridge: Keep it in the fridge for 2-4 days, depending on the type of fruit used. Be cautious as some fruits may develop mold on the third or fourth day. Alternatively, you can store it without fruits.

• Freezer: Freeze it for up to 1-3 months. For optimal taste and texture, consume it within the first month of freezing. The milk can separate during the freezing process, so be sure to mix it well after thawing in the fridge.

　　Note: Store the oatmeal before baking it in the air fryer.

Safety Measures

• Make sure the glass or ceramic container is oven-safe and can withstand a temperature of 120°C / 250°F.

• Always remove the lid from the container before baking it in the air fryer.

• When taking the container out of the air fryer, use heat-resistant gloves or handle it carefully with a kitchen cloth.

• If you decide to eat directly from the container, be super careful not to burn yourself as it stays hot for around 10 minutes.