Baked oatmeal is a favorite at our house. I’ll make a big batch at the beginning of the week and we’ll enjoy it all week long. This banana baked oatmeal tastes like banana bread but in a baked oatmeal form!
Better yet, you probably have everything you need at home to make them. Made from wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, rolled oats, eggs, walnuts, and of course, chocolate chips. No flour or added sugar is needed!
This baked banana oatmeal is the perfect addition to breakfast, a pre-workout snack, a mid-day snack, or a healthy dessert. I love it with some greek yogurt and nut butter drizzled on top for the ultimate snack! Plus, it can be enjoyed warm or cold. It’s great for meal prep and saves well throughout the week!
Why you’ll love this banana bread baked oatmeal recipe
- made in one bowl
- the flavors of banana bread in oatmeal form!
- lightly sweetened – just 2 tablespoons of honey are used in this recipe.
- macro-balanced – a good balance of complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and healthy fats to keep your blood sugar stable.
What is baked oatmeal?
Baked oatmeal is a mix of rolled oats, liquid (usually some kind of milk), eggs, sweetener, and other additions like fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips that is baked until firm and golden brown on top. It’s a perfect make-ahead addition to breakfast, a snack, or can be enjoyed as a dessert.
Is baked oatmeal healthy?
Baked oatmeal can make a healthy and delicious breakfast or snack. Rolled oats are loaded with fiber, complex carbs, and whole grains, have plant-based protein, and are low in fat. By making baked oatmeal at home, you can easily customize it to fit your liking and nutrition goals.
Each one of these baked apple oatmeal bars has 228 calories, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and 4 grams of fiber for a balanced snack.
Ingredients
- brown bananas
- eggs
- honey
- vanilla bean paste
- milk – I used whole milk, but dairy or non-dairy will work.
- rolled oats – I recommend old-fashioned rolled oats.
- baking powder
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- salt – to help bring the flavors together.
- walnuts
- chocolate chips
- oil, for greasing
How to make banana baked oatmeal
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Mash bananas. In a medium-large bowl, add your bananas and mash with a fork until mostly no lumps remain.
- Mix ingredients. To your bowl, add the wet ingredients of eggs, honey, vanilla bean paste, and milk, and mix well to combine. Add your dry ingredients of oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt, and mix well to combine. Stir in chopped walnuts.
- Bake. Pour the oat mixture into the greased pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips (if using). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and firm. Let cool for 5 minutes and slice into 9 equal-sized bars.
- Enjoy!
Storage and reheating
- fridge – first, let the bars cool completely. Add leftover baked oatmeal to a sealable airtight container, or wrap the pan you baked it in with tin foil or plastic wrap. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.
- to freeze – let cool completely and place individual bars on a large plate or baking sheet. Place in the freezer and let freeze for 2 hours or until hardened. This will help ensure they freeze individually and won’t stick together. Transfer to a large bag (we love these reusable silicone bags) and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also wrap individual slices and throw them right in the freezer after they have cooled. Defrost by placing them in the refrigerator and then warming up the microwave if desired.
- reheat – pop it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm/hot. You can also eat it cold right out of the fridge.
Substitutions and additions
- brown bananas – this is what gives your baked oatmeal the banana bread flavor. Use ripe bananas (the more brown, the better) as they will provide the best natural sweetness.
- eggs – I haven’t tried this, but you could try to substitute more mashed banana in place of the eggs. I am not sure if this will work, as the eggs help bind it together.
- honey – any kind of liquid sweetener will work (maple syrup, agave…). You can also leave it out if you don’t want any sweetener.
- vanilla bean paste – vanilla extract will work the same.
- milk – any kind of dairy or non-dairy milk (almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk…) will work.
- rolled oats – old fashioned oats are the same as rolled oats. Quick oats will work instead of rolled oats. Steel-cut oats will not work as the texture is different. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- spices – mix up the spices to change the flavor. Ginger, cloves, and allspice would all be good additions.
- walnuts – pecans would be a good substitute. Leave them out if you want to keep it nut-free.
- chocolate chips – milk, semi-sweet, dark, or chocolate chunks will work. Use dairy-free if needed.
This baked banana oatmeal is so easy to customize. Here are a few suggestions to change the mix-ins:
- shredded coconut – to add a little more healthy fat and natural sweetness.
- cacao powder – to make them extra chocolatey, stir some cacao powder into the batter.
- fresh fruit – any kind of diced fruit will work. Some of my favorites to add to oatmeal are any kind of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), bananas, apples, and pears.
- dried fruit – raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries would be delicious.
- nut butter – stir some peanut butter or almond butter into the batter.
- protein powder – for a little extra protein boost, you can add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder. I would suggest adding a little more milk to ensure it isn’t too dry.
More healthy baked oatmeal recipes
- pumpkin baked oatmeal
- apple cinnamon baked oatmeal
- protein baked oatmeal
- peach baked oatmeal
- brownie batter baked oatmeal
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Banana Baked Oatmeal
ingredients
- 2 medium-large brown bananas (200 grams/about 3/4 cup mashed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (250 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (50 grams)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
- oil, for greasing
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Mash bananas. In a medium-large bowl, add your bananas and mash with a fork until mostly no lumps remain.
- Mix ingredients. To your bowl, add the wet ingredients of eggs, honey, vanilla bean paste, and milk, and mix well to combine. Add your dry ingredients of oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt, and mix well to combine. Stir in chopped walnuts.
- Bake. Pour the oat mixture into the greased pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips (if using). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and firm. Let cool for 5 minutes and slice into 9 equal-sized bars.
- Enjoy!
nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by Sierra Inn
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