Banana Baked Oatmeal Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

With bananas, oatmeal, spices and walnuts, this banana baked oatmeal is a great make-ahead breakfast that will please a crowd.

When you have ripe bananas, there are plenty of options - from whole wheat banana bread to chocolate chip banana bars to vegan banana chocolate chip muffins to cinnamon swirl banana bread to banana oat pancakes.

But one of my favorites is this banana baked oatmeal. If you love oatmeal, you can't go wrong with here. It doesn't hurt that you can make ahead and just heat up when ready!

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy -Whipping up a batch of this baked oatmeal is a breeze, taking no more than 5 minutes to combine all the ingredients before baking.
• Healthy -Not only are oats loaded with nutrients, but you get the added benefits of the banana.
• Kid-Friendly - It is great for both kids and adults.
• Quick Breakfast/Snack - You can prepare the dish, cut up some squares and then freeze. Then just warm up when you're ready to eat!

Ingredient Notes

• Old-fashioned oats - Most commonly used for baked oatmeal due to their texture and cooking time. Avoid using quick oats.
• Light brown sugar - While the natural sweetness of ripe bananas is usually sufficient, a small amount of sugar helps put it over the top.
• Baking powder - Prevents the baked oatmeal from becoming too dense and heavy.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt - These spices add warmth and complexity to the dish.
• Bananas - Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. The riper the bananas, the sweeter they are, and they also mash more easily, contributing to the overall moisture and texture of the dish.
• Milk - Adds creaminess and helps cook the oats.
• Egg - Used as a binding agent and to add structure to the baked oatmeal. They also contribute to the protein content of the dish.
• Vanilla extract - Enhances the flavor.
• Unsalted butter - Adds some fat and richness to the recipe.
• Walnuts - Added crunch which pairs well with the bananas.

Ingredient Swaps

As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you prefer. Some variations include:

• I like to usesugarfor added sweetness, however you can use honey or maple syrup.
• Banana is my go-to for natural sweetener but a mashed sweet potato or even applesauce are good substitutes.
• If you're looking for dairy-free options or have lactose intolerance, you can use plant-based milk such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or rice milk.
• If you want to make your breakfast vegan, make a chia seed egg instead of using an egg. Just mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 2 ½ tablespoon water and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Instead of butter, you can try vegetable or canola oil

Step-by-Step Photos

Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a large bowl mash the bananas before adding the rest of the wet ingredients.

Add the dry ingredients and walnuts to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.

Transfer to a square 8 inch baking pan and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until center is set.

FAQs

Health Benefits

Oats/oatmeal is one of the best ways to start the day. There are a ton ofbenefits, including:

• High in fiber, which keeps you full long
• Contain more protein than most grains
• Rich in antioxidants, which can help lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Help lose weight

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Use old-fashioned oats so you get a heartier baked oatmeal.
• Mix together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl before adding to the wet mixture so everything gets evenly distributed.
• Theriperthe banana thesweeterit is which makes for great vegan banana muffins. You want a banana that hasblack/brown spotson the peel.
• You canadjust the sweetness levelby adding or taking away sugar in tablespoon increments.
• Don’t skip out onroasting the walnuts. By roasting them they will staycrispyin the batter and bring out theflavor.
• Add ¼ cup chocolate chips to the banana baked oatmeal if you want additional flavor.

Other Breakfast Recipes

If you’ve tried this banana baked oatmealor any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. These chocolate baked oats are also worth a try! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

More Breakfast Recipes