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Kid-Friendly Apple Cinnamon Oat Cups | WIC Recipe

September 16, 2026 General /Family

apple cinnamon Apple Cinnamon Oat Cups: A Kid-Friendly Taste of Fall

September often brings busy mornings, new school routines, and the first hints of fall. It’s also a great time to enjoy apples! These apple cinnamon oat cups bring the cozy flavors of apple pie to a simple breakfast or snack that kids can hold in their hands.

The recipe is easy to make and gives children several ways to help in the kitchen. They can mash the banana, pour the ingredients, stir the mixture, or place paper liners in the muffin pan.

question parasite Why We Love Apples and Oats

Apples provide fiber and vitamin C. Fiber helps support healthy digestion, while vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and supports a healthy immune system. Leaving the peel on adds more fiber. Just be sure to dice the apple into very small pieces so it softens as the oat cups bake.

Oats are a whole grain that provides fiber and B vitamins. Fiber can help kids feel satisfied after eating, and B vitamins help the body use energy from food.

Plate of apple cinnamon oat muffins, one cut open
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instruction icon Apple Cinnamon Oat Cups

Makes: 12 oat cups
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 22–25 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1½ cups milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 medium apple, cored and finely diced

notebook icon Directions

Hand greasing a muffin tray with cupcake liners
1.

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan or add paper liners.

Hands mashing banana with fork in bowl
2.

Place the banana in a large bowl and mash it well with a fork.

Hands whisking wet muffin batter in a bowl
3.

Add the milk, egg, oil or melted butter, vanilla, and brown sugar or maple syrup. Stir until combined.

Adding-oats-and-cinnamon-to-muffin-batter
4.

Add the oats, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir again.

Folding-diced-apples-into-oat-muffin-batter
5.

Fold in the diced apple.

Spooning-oat-muffin-batter-into-muffin-tin
6.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cups. Stir the mixture between scoops so each cup gets some oats, liquid, and apple.

Placing-tray-of-apple-oat-muffins-into-oven
7.

Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the centers are set and the tops are lightly golden.

Plate-of-baked-apple-cinnamon-oat-muffins
8.

Let the oat cups cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes before serving.

bottle drink Make Them Your Own

  • Serve an oat cup with a spoonful of WIC-approved yogurt.
  • Replace the apple with a ripe pear for a different fall flavor.
  • Freeze individual oat cups for an easy breakfast on a busy morning.

Place leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours. Store them in a covered container for up to four days, or freeze them for later and enjoy within 3 months.

For young children, make sure the apple pieces are very small and soft after baking. Cut the oat cup into pieces that match your child’s eating skills and always supervise them while they eat.
Saftey Tip
mother-spooning-batter-into-muffin-tin-with-toddler

REFERENCES:

National Institute of Health. (March 21, 2022). Vitamin C.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/

United States Department of Agriculture. (August 2026). FoodData Central.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/

United States Department of Agriculture. (July 31, 2020). Leftovers and Food Safety.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety