Baked Oats Banana Berries Recipe

I love this baked oatmeal recipe because it’s the perfect blend of cozy and nutritious, making for a delightful start to my day. Plus, it’s super versatile—I can switch up the fruits and toppings depending on my mood or what’s in my kitchen!

Banana Berries Baked Oats is a mouth-watering and health-smart breakfast I love to make. A combination of good-for-you ingredients—rolled oats, a just-right ripe banana, and a mixture of fresh or frozen berries—makes it a fiber and antioxidant-rich way to start the day.

But the best part? This baked oatmeal is so good, it barely seems like health food.

Ingredients

Rolled Oats:
Rich in fiber; offer sustained energy; are good for your heart.

Ripe Banana:
Sweet, natural; potassium powerhouse; energy booster.

Mixed Berries:
Rich in antioxidants; lend natural tartness; improve nutritional profile.

Milk of Choice:
Provider of protein; smooth consistency; able to be changed for various dietary demands.

Maple Syrup/Honey:
Sweeteners from nature; flavor with caramel; mostly left alone.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 cup nuts or seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), then coat a baking dish with grease or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a big bowl, mix the baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using) with the rolled oats.

3. In another bowl, smooth the ripe banana by mashing it until there are no lumps.

4. Combine the ingredients well, ensuring they are fully mixed: mashed banana, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup or honey. You want to end up with a very smooth mixture that is fully homogeneous; just “mixing well” is not enough if you want to avoid clumps of unmixed bananas showing up later in the pancake batter.

5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until you have a well-mixed, smooth batter.

6. Delicately incorporate the blended berries and nuts or seeds (if using) into the oatmeal mixture.

7. Pour the mixture into the baking dish that has been set up for baking, and smooth it out so that it is level across the top.

8. Place in the preheated oven and set the timer for 25-30 minutes. Don’t peek! You want the top to be golden and the oats to be properly set.

9. Let cool briefly before serving.

10. Savor your baked oats with an additional drizzle of maple syrup or another serving of yogurt, if you like.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking dish
3. Parchment paper (or grease for baking dish)
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium mixing bowl
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
8. Masher or fork
9. Mixing spoon or spatula
10. Timer

FAQ

• Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?Certainly, using instant oats is an option, but the texture might vary a bit. You could say that rolled oats really deliver in the department of “hearty texture.” Instant oats, not so much.
• What kind of milk can I use?Any type of milk can be used, including cow’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Use what you prefer in terms of taste, or what you must use because of allergies or other dietary restrictions.
• Can I add extra sweeteners?Maple syrup or honey provides the sweetness in the recipe. The amount can be adjusted, or you can add other sweeteners like sugar or stevia to fit your flavor profile.
• How do I store leftovers?Any remaining food should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or oven before serving.
• Can I omit the berries?Certainly, if you want to skip the berries, you can indeed do so, and you can also use other fruits in their place, like diced apples or peaches.
• Is the recipe gluten-free?Make sure your oats are marked gluten-free, and the dish will be appropriate for a gluten-free diet.
• What nuts or seeds can I use?There are many types of nuts and seeds to choose from, such as almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds, but your selection may be influenced by what you like best.

Substitutions and Variations

Quick oats can replace rolled oats if a softer texture is desired.
Applesauce can serve as a substitute for a different flavor in place of a ripe banana.
Chopped apples or pears can be used in place of mixed berries.
Plant-based milk or almond milk can be used in place of milk of choice for a dairy-free alternative.
You can use agave syrup or brown sugar in place of maple syrup or honey to add sweetness.

Pro Tips

1. Use Overripe Bananas For a sweeter and more flavorful batter, use bananas that are very ripe, with brown spots. This enhances the natural sweetness, reducing the need for additional sweeteners.

2. Customize with Spices Don’t hesitate to add other spices like nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon for a more complex flavor profile.

3. Ensure Even Mixing To avoid banana clumps, consider using an immersion blender to mix the banana with the other wet ingredients until completely smooth before combining with the dry ingredients.

4. Texture Variations For added texture, lightly toast the nuts or seeds before mixing them into the batter. This will enhance their flavor and add a satisfying crunch to the baked oats.

5. Berry Layering Technique To evenly distribute the berries, pour half of the oat mixture into the baking dish, add a layer of berries, and then pour the remaining mixture on top. This prevents all the berries from sinking to the bottom.