Easy Banana Baked Oatmeal
on Feb 15, 2019, Updated Mar 25, 2026
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If you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter and want a healthy breakfast that helps keep you full, this easy banana baked oatmeal is the perfect solution. It’s soft, naturally sweetened, simple to make and ideal for meal prep.
Unlike some other baked oatmeal recipes that come out dry, this version is moist, lightly sweet and reheats well. I’ve tested it many ways for texture, sweetness and simplicity so it works for busy mornings, athletes needed quick fuel, families or anyone looking for a delicious, nourishing breakfast.
Featured Review
Very tasty. Love it in the morning for a quick grab and go before the gym
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lee
🔍 A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes at 350°F
- Servings: 6.
- Nutrition: 152 calories with 5g protein per serving.
- Dietary Info: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.
- Difficulty: Easy!
Why You’ll Love Baked Banana Oatmeal
- Easy to make in one bowl!
- Naturally sweetened with banana.
- High in fibre.
- Meal-prep friendly.
- Excellent pre-workout snack.
- Eat them cold or reheat.
- Just 4 ingredients.
- Easy to customize.
- Kid-approved.
- Budget-friendly.
I love stovetop oatmeal and Instant Pot Oatmeal but baked oatmeal is a favourite because you can mix it up right in the baking dish and it’s so great for a hands-off meal prep. I love eating a slice cold before the gym, especially with some peanut butter!
These baked banana oatmeal cups with chocolate chips and walnuts are awesome too!
Ingredients You Will Need
Below is a quick overview of what you’ll need to make the recipe and any substitutions you can make. Use the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and measurements at the bottom of the post when you’re ready to make the recipe.
- Rolled Oats. This recipe works best with rolled oats, also known as whole oats or old-fashioned oats. Large flake oats are suitable as well. The recipe will still work with quick oats or instant oats but I’d recommend using whole oats for the best texture. This recipe does not work with steel cut oats but you can try this Vegan Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe.
- Banana. You’ll need two ripe bananas to make this recipe. The banana acts as a binder and helps to sweeten the dish.
- Chia or Flax Seed. You can use either chia seeds or ground flaxseed to help bind the recipe.
- Almond milk. I used almond milk for the liquid but any plant-based milk such as cashew milk, soy milk or oat milk work. If you’re not dairy-free, you can use dairy milk in this recipe.
- Salt, vanilla and cinnamon are optional to help enhance the flavour.
Choosing the Best Bananas
Banana ripeness will affect the flavour and texture:
- Green: To firm, won’t add sweetness.
- Yellow: Mild sweetness, structured oatmeal.
- Brown Spotted: Best choice. Sweet, soft and moist result.
- Very Brown: Very sweet and more intense banana flavour.
Recipe Variations
- Almond Joy Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/4 cup each chocolate chips, chopped almonds and shredded coconut. Or try this Vegan Banana Oatmeal Bars with dates and chocolate.
- Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/4 cup natural peanut butter. Chocolate chips would be amazing in this too. Almond butter works too.
- Baked Apple Oatmeal: Add 1/2 cup diced apple, 1/2 tsp of ginger and 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Or use this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal.
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/3 cup each raisin and grated carrot. Some coconut and pineapple are good in this too. Or use this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal recipe.
- Blueberry Oatmeal Bake: Add 3/4 cup of fresh blueberries and use the optional cinnamon and vanilla. Coconut and ginger are good additions to this.
- Add any of the following up to 1 cup: chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped apples, chopped dates, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, fresh blueberries, raspberries or chopped strawberries, any chopped fresh fruit.
Customize It
Want it sweeter? → Add 2 tbsp maple syrup, honey or brown sugar and/or chocolate chips.
Want more protein? → Top with Greek yogurt, make this Protein Baked Oatmeal or add 1/3 cup hemp seeds.
Want to add extra fruit? → Mix in 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries.
Want a dairy-free recipe? → Be sure to use dairy-free milk like oat, almond or soy.
How to Make Banana Baked Oatmeal
This version of baked oatmeal is made with mashed banana. To make it, all you need to do is mash up some ripe banana then mix with oats, ground flaxseed, cinnamon and non-dairy milk of choice and bake in the oven until firm.
Step 1. Mash the banana in a metal or glass baking dish. I used an 8×8 square dish. You can use a fork or masher to mash the banana into a smooth paste.
Step 2. Add the rest of the ingredients. I used rolled oats, ground flax, cinnamon, sea salt and almond milk.
Step 3. Mix well then bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F until firm.
Step 4. Once it comes out of the oven, let it sit for 10-15 minutes then slice into 6 equal pieces.
It can be enjoyed right away with your favorite toppings or stored in the fridge for later and enjoyed cold or reheated as needed.
FAQ
Yes. You can use carton coconut milk 1:1 to replace the almond milk. If you’re using full-fat coconut milk, use up to 3/4 cup with 1 cup almond milk or water. If you’re using light coconut milk, use up to 1 cup with 3/4 cup almond milk or water.
You can store baked oatmeal covered in the baking dish or transfer slices to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Baked oatmeal can be frozen in individual servings and reheated from frozen or thawed in the fridge or at room temperature and then reheated.
For sure! It’s delicious and convenient cold as a quick snack or breakfast on the go.
More Recipes to Try!
Easy Banana Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats, 150 g
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed, approx. 220 grams
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds, 14 g
- 1 3/4 cups almond milk
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, optional
- 1 tsp cinnamon, optional
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the banana in an 8×8 square baking dish. Use a fork to mash it into a smooth paste.2 ripe bananas, mashed
- Add the oats, flax, milk, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla and mix well.2 cups rolled oats, 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds, 1 3/4 cups almond milk, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Bake in the oat mixture in the oven for 30 minutes until firm and golden brown on top.
- Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan before cutting into 6 squares. Serve right away or store in the fridge up to 4 days.
I tried this out today with a few modifications and loved it! I didn’t have flaxseeds at home so subbed with a few dates and peanut butter. So good – thanks for sharing!