1-Preheat your oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking from the start.

2-Grease the baking dish and mix dry ingredients: First, grease an 8 x 8 baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups old-fashioned oats, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon until everything is evenly distributed. This dry mix forms the hearty foundation of your oatmeal.

3-Prepare wet ingredients and combine: Next, in a separate bowl, whisk 1 3/4 cups skim milk or your choice of milk with 1 large egg, 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Pour this wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well to combine, then add 1/2 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter and mix until blended. Finally, fold in 1 1/4 cups diced apples with the skin on for a burst of freshness and texture.

4-Bake the oatmeal: Pour the batter into your prepared dish and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the center sets nicely. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. If you’re adapting for dietary needs, refer back to the ingredients section for swaps like flaxseed for the egg.