Easy Banana Baked Oatmeal
This easy banana baked oatmeal takes just minutes to prepare with 4 simple ingredients and is ready after 30 minutes of baking time for a warm, healthy breakfast perfect for the whole family. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and oil-free.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal
Oven baked oatmeal is very easy to make with minimal ingredients and can be customized with fun add-ins like chopped nuts, coconut or berries.
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 banana in a metal or glass baking dish. I used an 8×8 square dish.
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.
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.
Oven Baked Oatmeal Ingredients
This baked oatmeal recipe is super simple and calls for just 4 ingredients. This recipe is more of a functional, everyday breakfast or snack than a fancy brunch table dish but I love it for a simple, quick and breakfast option.
- 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 istant oats but I’d recommend using whole oats for best results. This recipe does not work with steel cut oats.
- Banana. You’ll need two ripe mashed 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 flaxseeds to help bind the recipe. Both of these ingredients provide healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants to the recipe.
- Almond milk. I used almond milk for the liquid but any plant-based milk works.
Optional Add-Ins or Toppings
I like to keep this baked oatmeal recipe basic and just use the ingredients listed above but you can also play around with all sorts of healthy add-ins to switch up the flavor. Use any of the following add-ins or mix and match, up to about 3/4 cups total.
- chocolate chips
- shredded coconut
- chopped apples
- chopped dates
- chopped almonds
- chopped walnuts
- fresh blueberries, raspberries or chopped strawberries
- any chopped fresh fruit
Baked Oat Toppings
Rather than adding these ingredients to the oats before baking, I like to use them as toppings so I can switch it up each day. I love blueberry and peanut butter, tahini and jam, sliced banana and almond butter or cinnamon sauteed apples and walnuts.
Topping Ideas: 10-minute Chia Seed Jam // Sautéed Apple // Caramelized Banana // Date Caramel Sauce
Flavor Variations
Almond Joy Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/4 cup each chocolate chips, chopped almonds and shredded coconut.
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/4 cup natural peanut butter. Chocolate chips would be amazing in this too.
Baked Apple Oatmeal: Add 1/2 cup diced apple, 1/2 tsp of ginger and 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts.
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal: Add 1/3 cup each raisin and grated carrot. Some coconut and pineapple are good in this too.
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.
Extra Sweetening Options
The recipe as written is not super sweet. I like it how it is and don’t find the need for any additional sweetener since I usually top it with nut butter and berries. However, if you’d like to sweeten it up a bit, add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, raw honey (not vegan) or coconut sugar.
Add Some Lift
I didn’t add baking powder to my recipe but many baked oatmeal recipes do. If you’d like to add a bit of lift to the finished dish, add 1 tsp of baking powder to the recipe and make sure you use the salt as well.
Perfect Meal Prep Recipe
I like to prep a batch of these on Sundays and stash them in the fridge. They’re perfect for a quick, energizing, easily digestible bite before early morning workouts and to grab for a healthy snack. You can eat them cold or reheat in the oven or microwave to enjoy warm.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Loving this baked oatmeal recipe? You’ll love these too:
- Simple Creamy Banana Oatmeal
- Sautéed Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Carrot Zucchini Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Apple Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Blueberry Oatmeal Cups
These baked banana oatmeal cups with chocolate chips and walnuts are awesome too!
Did you try this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
Easy Banana Baked Oatmeal
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Vegan
Description
This super easy baked oatmeal recipe is perfect for easy breakfasts and pre-workout snacking. Enjoy a slice warm from the oven topped with berries and peanut butter then store the rest for quick breakfasts all week.
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, enhances flavor)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional, enhances flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, enhances flavor)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the mashed banana in an 8×8 square baking dish. Use a fork to mash it into a smooth paste.
- Add the oats, flax, milk, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla and mix well.
- Bake in the oat mixture in the oven for 30 minutes.
- 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. The baked oatmeal squares can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Notes
You can double the recipe and use a larger casserole-sized dish to make 12 oatmeal squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 152
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
Keywords: bake, simple, bars
So easy! My very picky 14 year old boy loves them!
I added about 20 chocolates chips for a surprise bite;)
★★★★★
Very delicious! I made it this morning and added sliced bananas on top while baking. Next time, I plan on mixing the ingredients in a bowl beforehand, so I can lightly grease my baking dish. The oatmeal really stuck to my pan.
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Delicious! I’ve tried a few baked oatmeal recipes and almost didn’t try this one because I haven’t had much luck. However, this one was terrific and I’m so glad I tried it! I used fresh ground flaxseed and did a half and half mixture of almond milk and oat milk to see if I could get a thicker texture. I thought about adding blueberries before baking, but decided to go with the recipe as is for the first time. I think it was perfect! Can’t wait try some add-ins and different toppings next. Thanks so much!
Glad it worked out for you! It definitely makes a great base for different add-ins and toppings. Have fun and enjoy!
Very good!! I added blueberries, strawberries and flaked almonds.
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I LOVE this recipe! I have a very restricted diet due to health issues, but I can eat all the ingredients in this baked oatmeal—and I do, every morning! Super delicious and so easy to make. Thank you for sharing a breakfast lifesaver!
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This was so delicious! I may have had more than one serving… I thought about adding blueberries before I baked, but decided to go with the original recipe as is for the first time. So glad I did. It was great as is. I look forward to making this again and love the idea of adding different toppings after baking. Thanks so much for a great recipe!
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You’re welcome, Kate. Glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious. I added blueberries and pumpkin seeds. Also didn’t have any flax seed. I love making baked oatmeal with no sugar, the bananas add some sweetness. Will have this tomorrow morning heated up in the microwave with Greek Yogurt. Thanks so much for the fantastic breakfast for me.
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You’re welcome, Laura! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love this heated up with yogurt too…so yummy and satisfying! Sounds perfect with blueberries and pumpkin seeds. Thanks!
Would this recipe work with chia seeds? If so, should I add more milk to keep the consistency correct (since chias soak up a lot of moisture)? Thanks!
Do you mean instead of flax? It works with chia seeds but I do prefer flax in this recipe for a firmer consistency. You shouldn’t need more milk though. Thanks.
This came out perfectly! Yes it’s super simple but once you add toppings, it’s excellent. I will be making often for sure!!
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How long does this last in the fridge and/or freezer? Excited to try!
Hi! Fridge for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven to your preference…fine to enjoy cold too!
This is one of my favorite breakfasts! I usually add peanut butter or almond butter before baking..it’s so good. Top with more pb, maple syrup, berries and some walnuts. It’s the best and so good to have ready to go for quick breakfasts. The kids love it too.
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So glad to hear that, Carly!
Wow wow wow delicious and easy to make!
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Love this recipe! You can leave it plain or add things like coconut and extra spices. It’s not super sweet but you can add sweet toppings like peanut butter and a bit of maple syrup. Really good and one of my favorites!
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Winner! Easy to make and delicious. I love that it’s not overly sweet but it’s adaptable to everyone’s taste. I had mine with fresh strawberries and my husband added a sprinkle of brown sugar on top. Thank you for a great breakfast option.
★★★★★
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know!
I want to make this but I’m wondering if it’s okay to use frozen bananas…
That should be fine if you thaw them in the fridge first. You may need to use a bit less banana or a bit more oats since frozen and thawed bananas will be more moist. Thanks!
Yum! Thanks for the easy vegan option! Do you happen to know how long to bake for a bigger dish with the doubled recipe? (I used a 9 x 12)
Probably about the same but you’ll be able to tell when it’s done…you might want it a little softer or firmer too, so just check it at the suggested cooking time and if it needs more, continue in 5 minute increments. Let me know how it turns out! Thanks!
So easy and delicious! My toddler cant eat dairy so this was a great recipe to find. Topped it with mixed berries and used rice milk. The berries really balance it out. May add some apples or honey in the mix next time. Thank you for posting!
Yum this is terrific! Came out perfectly, and we added the recommended blueberries and nut butter. Super yum!!
★★★★★
Sounds delicious! Such an easy recipe to throw together. Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the easiest and most delicious breakfast!! It is delicious warm, and I loved it cold with oat milk and blueberries this morning. THANK YOU!
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So glad you enjoyed it! I love it with a little plant-based milk and berries too! And you can’t beat it warm served with some nut butter. Thanks for the message!
good one! my son thought that adding a date or two and a dash of nutmeg would make it taste yummier but helped himself to thirds regardless.
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Haha, that’s awesome. It’s a pretty basic recipe, so some dates and nutmeg would be yummy for sure!
Omg, this looks similar to one of my favorite breakfasts but yours looks way more delicious. I’ll definitely have to try this soon! Thank you for the recipe. 😉
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it! It’s not super fancy or sweet but they’re awesome to have on hand for quick, healthy breakfasts.