Individual Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups

These simple individual oatmeal cups with peanut butter create a simple make ahead breakfast for the week. Made with 7 simple ingredients, these tasty peanut butter oatmeal breakfast cups mix up in under 30 minutes and make enough to use for the entire week. 

We love oatmeal. As you can see from this apple cinnamon oatmeal, carrot cake oatmeal, and stovetop oatmeal. But I especially love baked oatmeal.

However, with my schedule, I don’t have time to wait twenty minutes for it to bake. Fortunately, these make-ahead oatmeal cups are the ideal solution! I make a big batch at the beginning of the week and store them in the fridge for an easy breakfast on the go. To keep things interesting as the week progresses, I like to make a few different flavors. I usually save vegan chocolate chips for Friday because fri-YAY!

If you need more meal prep or easy vegan breakfast inspiration, I think you will love this easy sweet potato toast or blueberry overnight oats.

Why This Recipe Works

• This oatmeal cup recipe is fool-proof. Whether you’ve never baked or you’re fairly experienced, you can make these and will enjoy them. 
• Tons of variety and flexibility. The ingredients can be easily manipulated to produce the amount and flavor you like. Check out the variations section for some inspiration!
• A simple way to make your weekday breakfast routine a little less stressful.
• Family-friendly make-ahead breakfast. Kids and adults love these peanut butter oatmeal cups and you can easily customize the flavors for each person in the house.

What Goes Into This Recipe

These peanut butter oatmeal breakfast cups are made using pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you need:

• Oats: The best oats to use for these individual baked oatmeal cups is regular rolled oats.
• Cinnamon: Adds a hint of warming spices.
• Baking powder: For a little lift.
• Plant-based milk: Unsweetened is preferred. If you choose to use sweetened you may need to adjust the maple syrup.
• Maple syrup: An easy sweetener to add flavor and sweetness.
• Peanut butter: Use natural peanut butter for less sugar and additives but plenty of peanut flavor.
• Mix in ingredients: Choose from walnuts, blueberries, or vegan chocolate chips.

Substitutions and Variations

• Not a peanut butter fan? You can choose to omit peanut butter or swap it for another nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter.
• Want more sweetness? Bump up the maple syrup. 
• Turn them into itty bitty apple pie cups. Add apple butter and apple slices to the oatmeal and even more on top.
• Love bananas? Add mashed ripe bananas to the oatmeal mixture. You may need to adjust the amount of maple syrup depending on the ripeness and sweetness of your bananas.
• Everything but the kitchen sink. Add a tablespoon or two of all your favorite mix-ins creating a customized combination.

How To Make Oatmeal Cups

Here’s an overview of the steps for making these healthy oatmeal cups. See the recipe card further down the page for the full details.

• 1) Combine the oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.

• 2) Add plant-based milk, maple syrup, and peanut butter.

TOP TIP: You may need to add more or less plant-based milk to get the right consistency. You want it to form a very thick liquid batter.

• 3) Add the nuts, fruit, or vegan chocolate chips to the batter and mix.

• 4) Place 5 to 6 cupcake liners in a pan and fill with equal amounts of batter.

TOP TIP: If you aren’t using liners, be sure your cupcake pan is well-greased. 

• 5) Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. The oatmeal should be moist but firm with a crispy top.
• 6) Remove from the oven and let them cool until warm. 

Expert Tips 

• For serving, oatmeal breakfast cups are great with vegan butter or more peanut butter on top or you can enjoy them plain. 
• To prevent sticking, use cupcake liners or grease your pan very well.
• If making a variety of flavors, separate the amount for each out into a small bowl and add in the appropriate amount of nuts, vegan chocolate chips, or berries.

FAQs

How to Store

Leftovers or meal prep: Remove the oat cups from the baking pan and allow them to fully cool. Once they’re cool you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to one month.

Reheat: These work well cold too but if you want to reheat the easiest way is to zap them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. You can also reheat in the oven or air fryer at 325° F for 5-8 minutes or until heated through.

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

• Vegan Tofu Scramble with Veggies
• One-Pan Root Vegetable Hash
• Tofu Breakfast Burrito
• Vegan Potato Frittata

Photos by Alfonso Revilla