Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect Blueberry Oatmeal Cups every time. Each step is designed to ensure ease and delicious results.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking these oatmeal cups, ensuring they cook evenly and don’t burn on the outside before the inside is done. While the oven is preheating, prepare your muffin tin. Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line it with paper or silicone muffin liners. Greasing or lining is crucial to prevent the oatmeal cups from sticking to the tin, making them easy to remove once baked. If you’re using paper liners, they also make for convenient grab-and-go servings and easy cleanup. Silicone liners are reusable and eco-friendly. Set the prepared muffin tin aside.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients in a Large Bowl

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. This includes the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly. Whisking ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the oats, which is essential for proper leavening. The cinnamon and salt will also be evenly dispersed, guaranteeing a consistent flavor in every bite. Using a large bowl provides ample space for mixing without spillage and will later accommodate the wet ingredients as well.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients in a Separate Bowl

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. This includes the milk (dairy or non-dairy), eggs, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil (or butter), and vanilla extract. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and homogenous. Ensuring the wet ingredients are thoroughly mixed before adding them to the dry ingredients helps to prevent overmixing later on. Overmixing can lead to tougher oatmeal cups, so we want to keep mixing to a minimum once the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula or a large spoon, gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. It’s important to mix until just combined, meaning you should stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour. A few lumps are perfectly fine at this stage. Overmixing at this point can develop the gluten in the oats (though oats are naturally gluten-free, there’s still starch that can be affected), resulting in denser, less tender oatmeal cups. Gentle folding ensures a light and airy texture.

Step 5: Gently Fold in the Blueberries

Once the batter is just combined, gently fold in the fresh blueberries. Distribute the blueberries evenly throughout the batter, again being careful not to overmix. Overmixing after adding the blueberries can cause them to burst and bleed color into the batter, although this won’t affect the taste, it might make the cups less visually appealing. Handle the blueberries gently to keep them intact and ensure they are distributed throughout each oatmeal cup, providing a burst of flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups

Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, evenly divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Fill each cup about three-quarters full. Leaving a little space at the top allows the oatmeal cups to rise slightly as they bake without overflowing. If you want to ensure they are exactly the same size, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh each portion, but for home baking, simply eyeballing it works perfectly well. Evenly filled cups will bake at the same rate.

Step 7: Bake in the Preheated Oven

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the oatmeal cups comes out clean. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven and the exact size of your muffin cups. Start checking for doneness around 20 minutes. The tops of the oatmeal cups should be lightly golden brown, and they should feel set to the touch. The toothpick test is the best way to ensure they are fully baked in the center.

Step 8: Cool in the Muffin Tin and Serve

Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the Blueberry Oatmeal Cups cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling them slightly in the tin helps them to firm up and makes them easier to remove. If you used paper liners, you can simply lift them out. If you greased the tin directly, gently loosen the edges of the cups with a knife or spatula before lifting them out. Serve warm or at room temperature. These oatmeal cups are delicious enjoyed immediately after baking, but they also store well and can be enjoyed later.