Baked oatmeal is one of my favourite healthy breakfasts, especially when I want something hearty, filling and providing slow releasing energy to fuel my day ahead. This healthy baked oatmeal recipe is a blank canvas for you to spruce up any way you want! It’s made with old fashioned (rolled) oats, mashed bananas, blueberries, apples, walnuts, raisins and chia seeds. It is perfect to prepare in advance, and tastes like a bowl of hearty oatmeal, with a few twists! It is sweetened with a little bit of maple syrup and bananas, making it the perfect example of a baked breakfast that doesn’t need a ton of sugar to be delicious. Texture wise, it’s thick, chewy, hearty. It’s slightly crispy on the outside, and creamier on the inside! Whether I cook oatmeal on the stove top or bake it in the oven, I almost always eat it with fresh berries as I find oats n’ berries to be quite the couple.
I love blueberries because they’re available year-round (fresh or frozen) . . . and they taste delicious year round too! They’re also known for being a superfood and are “nutrient dense” (which means they are low in calories, but high in nutrients). Did you know that aside from being considered a brain food, blueberries are also known for lowering stress? A lot of bang for your caloric buck! They contain some of the highest antioxidant levels compared to most common fruits and veggies and they have been shown to help improve chronic diseases like heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes. And now zee oatmeal. Oats lower your risk of developing high blood pressure, increases your serotonin production (happy food!), and is full of fibre and protein, helping you stay fuller longer. Combining the oats with berries makes for a satisfying low-glycemic breakfast that is tasty both hot and cold. Walnuts are a welcome addition to the rolled oats and fruit in this baked oatmeal dish. They are packed with a wide variety of important nutrients. Did you know that one ounce of walnuts has 2.5 grams of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), 4 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fibre? This combination helps keep you feeling full and satisfied.
In the oven, the top layer will get crisp and toasty, while the middle will stay soft. I’m still counting this as a brunch recipe, but it’s also good for dessert with a scoop of ice cream. As I pull my baked oatmeal out of the oven, bubbling and oozing, the house is fragrant with spices like cinnamon and baked goods and I’m ready to dive in. The top of this bake is deliciously golden, and the sweet apples pair perfectly with the cinnamon and maple syrup, while the blueberries take it one step further and give that slightly tart twist that doesn’t let this dish feel too sickly sweet or heavy. The nutty walnuts also really come through, and the warmly blueberries burst in your mouth while the apples are tender and soft. Not a bad way to start the day! It’s impossible to now like this baked oatmeal. It’s like you’re having a delicious dessert for breakfast, and it’s almost like it should be a guilty treat but you know it isn’t. In fact it is full of goodness, so it really is the perfect way to start the day.
Having oatmeal for breakfast is the perfect way to start your day with energy and happiness. I use to have a huge smoothie first thing in the morning, but if I can’t have it because I’m not at home and I can’t get a blender, oatmeal is my second choice. I also make it when I want something sweet, warm, comforting and easy to make. I prefer to make the traditional recipe on a daily basis, but if you have time or you’ve never tried baked oatmeal before, you need to give this recipe a try! This would make a dreamy weekend breakfast, or even one you could make ahead of time and reheat throughout the week for a quicker meal option! It’s especially ideal throughout the winter, especially when hosting guests – it’s the ultimate warming, comfort food. I think I am going to be making this vegan baked oatmeal again soon. Next time though is going to be a banana pecan flavour. I think that would be equally good if not better since I love bananas. I love the fact that this recipe is super easy to whip together. If you ask me a great way to start the day.
IF YOU EVER GIVE THIS RECIPE A TRY, DO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND/OR TAG @FRUITYEMZ AND HASHTAG #FRUITYEMZ ON YOUR INSTAGRAM POST! 🙂
Comments