Easy One-Bowl Banana Baked Oatmeal

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Introduction

Start your day right with this simple and delicious one-bowl banana baked oatmeal recipe. It’s the perfect combination of your favorite breakfast foods. Imagine the comforting taste of creamy oatmeal mixed with the sweet flavor of moist banana bread. This is a healthy breakfast option that tastes like a treat! It’s so easy to make you’ll be able to prepare it quickly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Prep is a breeze.You only need one bowl to mix all the ingredients. Less cleanup means more time to enjoy your meal.
• Naturally sweet and satisfying.Ripe bananas and pure maple syrup provide all the sweetness you need. This wholesome breakfast will keep you full all morning.
• Great for meal prep.Make a full batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready for the whole week. It reheats well and is a great option for busy mornings.
• Customizable for everyone.You can easily make this baked oatmeal gluten-free, dairy-free, or egg-free by swapping out ingredients.
• The oven does the work.No need to stir constantly over the stove. Just mix, pour, and bake.

What You Need to Make the Recipe

Ingredients

• Milk: Any kind works—whole milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
• Eggs: Two large eggs to bind everything together.
• Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• Butter: Melted unsalted butter adds rich flavor. You can use coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative.
• Ripe Bananas: About two large ripe bananas, mashed. The riper, the sweeter.
• Vanilla Extract: For that classic, warm vanilla aroma.
• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The key to a hearty, chewy texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the oatmeal rise and become light.
• Ground Cinnamon: The perfect spice to complement the banana.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors.
• Optional Add-ins: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or mini chocolate chips.

Tools

• A large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking dish (9×9 inch or 11×7 inch)
• Spatula

How to Make Banana Baked Oatmeal: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prep Your Pan and Oven: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Next, add the old-fashioned rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the same bowl. Mix everything together until just combined.
4. Add Your Mix-ins: If you are using walnuts or other add-ins, gently fold them into the batter.
5. Pour and Bake: Pour the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the center looks almost set. For a firmer result, bake a few minutes longer.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the baked oatmeal cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve warm with your favorite toppings. A drizzle of extra maple syrup, a scoop of Greek yogurt, or a handful of fresh berries like blueberries or sliced strawberries would be perfect. A side of scrambled eggs or breakfast sausage makes for a complete meal.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

This recipe is excellent for meal prep.

• Storage: Once cooled, cover the dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Reheating: For a single serving, place a slice in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. You can also cover and reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Make-Ahead: You can bake the oatmeal, cool it completely, and store it in the fridge. This makes for a quick breakfast all week. You can also cut it into individual squares and freeze them for up to 3 months.

Special Tips for Perfect Baked Oatmeal

• Use Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your oatmeal will be. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can make the final texture tough.
• Grease Your Pan: This simple step ensures the baked oatmeal doesn’t stick and is easy to serve.
• Patience is Key: Let the oatmeal rest for a few minutes after baking. It will firm up as it cools.

Variations

• Gluten-Free Banana Baked Oatmeal: Use certified gluten-free oats.
• Dairy-Free Baked Oatmeal: Use a non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk. Substitute the butter with melted coconut oil.
• Egg-Free: Replace the eggs with an extra half cup of mashed banana or 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Add-in Ideas: Try different nuts like pecans, or mix in dried fruit, chia seeds, or a handful of chocolate chips for a sweeter treat.
• Different Pan Sizes: You can double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan. Just increase the baking time by about 10 minutes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are best for this recipe. Quick oats will make the oatmeal gummy and dry, while steel-cut oats need a different preparation method.
• Not Greasing the Pan: This can lead to a sticky mess. Always grease your dish well.
• Baking Right Away: Don’t let the batter sit for a long time before baking. The oats will soak up the liquid, changing the final texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the texture of baked oatmeal?It’s somewhere between a soft bread pudding and a traditional oatmeal cookie. It’s not gooey like stovetop oatmeal.
• Can I use brown sugar instead of maple syrup?Yes, you can substitute maple syrup with brown sugar or honey in the same amount.
• Can I add protein powder?Yes, you can add a scoop of protein powder. It may make the mixture a bit thicker, so you might need a splash more milk.

Recipe Card

Easy One-Bowl Banana Baked Oatmeal

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8-9 servings

Description:

A simple, satisfying, and wholesome breakfast casserole that tastes like banana bread. This one-bowl recipe is perfect for busy mornings and meal prep.

Ingredients:

• 1 ⅓ cups (320 ml) milk
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (230g) mashed ripe banana (about 2 large)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups (255g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• Optional: ¾ cup chopped walnuts or other add-ins

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, mashed banana, and vanilla.
3. Stir in the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until just combined. Fold in any optional add-ins.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the center is almost set.
6. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes:

• This recipe is easily made gluten-free with certified gluten-free oats.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy milk and melted coconut oil instead of butter.
• Do not let the batter sit too long before baking, as the oats will absorb the liquid.