This baked oats recipe mixes mashed banana, rolled oats, egg, and a touch of honey into a batter that bakes up soft, fluffy, and almost cake-like, unlike a traditional bowl of oatmeal. This easy single-serving baked oats recipe takes about 30 minutes and has become one of the most popular breakfast trends for turning basic pantry oats into something that genuinely tastes like dessert for breakfast, all while keeping things simple and wholesome.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Category: Breakfast
Why You’ll Love This Baked Oats
- This baked oats recipe turns basic oatmeal into a fluffy, almost cake-like breakfast.
- Sized for a single serving, so there’s no need to commit to a big batch.
- The banana naturally sweetens the whole dish, so you can go light on added sugar.
- Endlessly customizable with different mix-ins for variety every day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips or berries, optional
How to Make Baked Oats
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small baking dish or ramekin.
- Mash the banana in a bowl, then whisk in the milk, egg, honey, and vanilla.
- Stir in the oats, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Fold in the chocolate chips or berries, if using.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until set and golden on top.
- Let cool slightly before eating.
Tips for the Best Baked Oats
- Use a very ripe banana for this baked oats recipe for the best natural sweetness.
- Let the batter sit for a minute or two before baking so the oats begin absorbing the liquid.
- Check for doneness around 20 minutes, since oven times can vary slightly by dish size.
- Top with a spoonful of yogurt or nut butter after baking for extra protein and creaminess.
Variations to Try
- Swap banana for pumpkin puree and add pumpkin spice for a fall version.
- Use peanut butter in place of some of the milk for a nuttier flavor.
- Double the recipe and bake in a larger dish to make two servings at once.
How to Store It
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make baked oats ahead of time?
Yes, they reheat well in the microwave, making them a convenient make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings.
What makes baked oats different from regular oatmeal?
Baking the oat mixture with egg and baking powder gives it a fluffy, cake-like texture, quite different from the softer, stovetop-style texture of traditional oatmeal.
Can I double this baked oats recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in a slightly larger dish, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it’s made mostly from whole oats, banana, and egg, with modest added sugar, making it a wholesome, balanced breakfast option.
Baked Oats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small baking dish.
- Step 2: Mash banana, then whisk in milk, egg, honey, and vanilla.
- Step 3: Stir in oats, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Step 4: Fold in chocolate chips or berries, if using.
- Step 5: Pour into the prepared dish.
- Step 6: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until set and golden.
- Step 7: Cool slightly before eating.