Description
This easy baked oatmeal is a wholesome, make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings. With hearty oats, natural sweeteners, and your choice of mix-ins, it bakes into a delicious, cake-like casserole that you can slice and serve all week long. Naturally customizable and meal-prep friendly!
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan)
- 1¾ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed (about ½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
Optional Mix-Ins (Choose Your Favorites):
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup diced apples
- ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup chia seeds or ground flaxseed
For Topping (Optional):
- Extra berries
- Sliced almonds
- A drizzle of maple syrup
- Greek yogurt
- Nut butter
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal and serving.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these together until evenly distributed. This ensures the leavening and spices are incorporated throughout every bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mash the banana thoroughly with a fork until mostly smooth with just a few small lumps remaining. Add the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Whisk everything together until well combined and the mixture is uniform.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix—it’s okay if there are a few streaks of dry oats remaining.
Step 5: Add Your Mix-Ins
Fold in your chosen mix-ins gently. If using berries, reserve a handful to scatter on top for a beautiful presentation. Popular combinations: blueberries and almonds, chocolate chips and walnuts, or diced apples with extra cinnamon.
Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the oatmeal mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. If you reserved some berries or nuts, scatter them over the top now. This creates a gorgeous finished presentation.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The baked oatmeal is done when the top is golden brown, the edges are set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The center should still be slightly soft but not jiggly.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and let the baked oatmeal cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. This cooling time allows it to set properly so it slices cleanly. Cut into 6 squares and serve warm with your favorite toppings like yogurt, fresh fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of nut butter.
Notes
- For Extra Creamy Texture: Add an extra ¼ cup of milk to the mixture before baking. The oatmeal will be softer and more pudding-like.
- Sweetness Level: This recipe is moderately sweet. For sweeter oatmeal, increase maple syrup to ½ cup. For less sweetness, reduce to ¼ cup.
- Frozen Fruit: If using frozen berries, do not thaw them first. Add them directly to the batter frozen to prevent excess moisture.
- Make It Vegan: Use non-dairy milk, replace eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes), and use coconut oil instead of butter.
- Texture Preference: For chewier texture, bake for 35 minutes. For softer, more pudding-like texture, bake for 40-45 minutes and add that extra milk.
- Individual Portions: You can bake this in a muffin tin for individual servings. Reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (⅙ of recipe)
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 185mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 65mg