Simple Baked Oatmeal With Blueberries

What is a Baked Oatmeal Recipe?

Baked oatmeal is simply that: oats that are baked with liquid ingredients and a binder (like eggs) in a casserole dish. You can add fruit to baked oatmeal (like this recipe) or even make chocolate oats that taste like brownies!

The oats bind together while baking, so you can slice the oatmeal into bars. This is not a wet, mushy variation, like overnight oats or stove-top warm oats.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats (I like sprouted oats for easier digestion)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (amount depends on taste)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk: whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or coconut milk
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter or virgin coconut oil, melted
• 1 cup frozen blueberries or fresh blueberries (or try different fruits or chocolate chips)

Equipment Needed

• 9-inch baking pan for baking the oatmeal in the oven
• large mixing bowl for mixing the dry ingredients
• medium mixing bowl for mixing the liquid ingredients

Substitutions

• Dairy Free: If you need a dairy-free oatmeal, the type of milk you choose to use is important. Any plant-based milk will work. Instead of butter, use melted coconut oil or vegan butter.
• Egg Free: The eggs act as a binder, so instead of mushy oatmeal, you end up with oatmeal you can cut and lift from the pan (like a bar). The best option for egg-free oatmeal is to make a “flax egg.” To do this, combine 2 tablespoons of ground flax + 5 tablespoons of warm water, let sit for 5 minutes. After letting the flax sit to gel, it should be whisked into the milk and other wet ingredients.
• Gluten Free: Some oats are processed in a facility with other wheat products, so make sure you’re buying certified gluten-free oats when making this recipe. I like One Degree sprouted oats.

How to Make Baked Oatmeal, Step by Step

Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9-inch square baking dish with butter or oil. 

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. 

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients (Except Butter or Coconut Oil)

In a medium-size bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and sweetener of choice (honey or maple syrup). Do not add the butter or coconut oil yet.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Finally, stir in the melted butter or coconut oil. You don’t want to stir the melted butter or coconut oil directly into the milk or you will have clumps-that’s why we’re adding it after the ingredients are mixed.

Step 4: Rest for 5 Minutes

Let the oatmeal rest for 5 minutes for the oats to absorb the liquids.

Step 5: Add Blueberries (or Other Fruit)

Gently fold the fresh or frozen blueberries into the oatmeal mixture and pour into the prepared baking pan. (I love to freeze fresh blueberries in peak season and use them to make this recipe.)

Step 6: Bake for 30-35 Minutes at 350F

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the center is firm and edges are browned. The baking time will depend on your pan. Clear glass, ceramic, and metal pans all bake at different rates. If the center isn’t firm and edges haven’t browned, continue baking until ready.

After removing from the oven, rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

How to Store & Reheat

• Fridge: Store the leftover baked oatmeal whole, in the casserole dish covered with foil, plastic wrap, or a lid. Or, cut the oatmeal into squares and store in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
• Freezer: Or freeze the oatmeal bars in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost on the counter or in the fridge, enjoy at room temperature or reheat.
• Serve Cold, at Room Temp, or Warm: The best part is you can serve this delicious breakfast cold from the fridge, at room temperature, or reheat in the oven (at 300F until warm enough), microwave (just a few seconds), or toaster oven.

What Goes Well With Oatmeal? Serving Ideas

• Drizzle maple syrup or honey over the top
• Add sliced bananas over the top
• Top with a spoonful of almond butter or peanut butter
• Serve in a bowl over greek yogurt
• Top slices with whipped cream (how to make homemade whipped cream, dairy or dairy-free)

Or serve with…

• Chocolate Protein Yogurt
• Scrambled Eggs
• Instant Pot Hardboiled Eggs
• Spinach Feta Omelet
• Ham and Cheese Omelet
• Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
• Bacon, Kale, Potato Frittata
• Sunny Side Up Eggs

Or add a homemade drink on the side…

• Chai Latte
• Iced Chai Latte
• Hot Chocolate
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Mocha Latte
• Turmeric Latte

Meal Prep Tip

• Cook Once, Eat Twice: Make a batch of oatmeal on Saturday or Sunday for breakfast, and use the leftovers again on Monday and Tuesday morning. Or double the recipe to make breakfast for the whole week.
• Grab and Go: Store the oatmeal in slices in the fridge for an easy grab-n-go breakfast, along with Instant Pot hardboiled eggs, omelet cups, or chocolate protein yogurt. Divide up the oatmeal squares and a prepared protein in meal prep containers to make mornings even easier.
• Lunchbox or Snack: Add a slice to the kids’ lunchbox or enjoy for an after-school snack. See more easy school lunch ideas!