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This simple all-in-one oatmeal bake brings cozy breakfast vibes with the crunch and sweetness of fresh berries plus a touch of maple goodness. You'll love starting your morning with this hearty dish.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Milk: 1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) as your liquid foundation. Pick regular or plant-based depending on what you like.
- Eggs: 2 large ones, they'll hold everything together and make it richer.
- Maple Syrup: 1/2 cup (120ml) for that natural sweet taste.
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup (56g), melted and cooled a bit to add moisture and richness.
- Applesauce or Mashed Banana: 1/4 cup (60g) to keep things moist with extra natural sweetness.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: 3 cups (255g) giving that satisfying, chewy bite.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon to make the oatmeal puff up slightly for a lighter feel.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon for that cozy spice kick.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon to boost the overall taste.
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon to cut through sweetness.
- Mixed Berries: 1 and 1/2 cups (225g), fresh or frozen (don't thaw them), for juicy fruit pops.
- Optional Toppings: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans if you want some crunch.
HOW TO MAKE IT
- Step 1:
- Move your oven rack to the bottom third and heat it to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×9-inch or 11×7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Step 2:
- Grab a big bowl and mix the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, applesauce (or banana mush), and vanilla until well combined.
- Step 3:
- Dump in the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to your wet stuff and stir until everything's mixed up good.
- Step 4:
- Carefully mix in your berries without squishing them too much.
- Step 5:
- Dump the whole mix into your greased baking dish. Sprinkle nuts on top if you want that extra crunch.
- Step 6:
- Bake around 35 minutes. For softer oatmeal, pull it out when the middle looks nearly set. For firmer texture, let it bake until completely set.
- Step 7:
- Let it cool about 5 minutes before digging in. Add yogurt on top if you feel like it.
- Step 8:
- Cover any extras well and stick them in the fridge. They'll stay good for up to a week.
Keeping and Serving Ideas
- Enjoy this oatmeal warm, either cut into pieces or scooped into bowls. It tastes great with a spoonful of yogurt or extra maple syrup on top.
- Leftover bake can stay in your fridge for up to a week. Just zap single portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds to warm them back up.
- You can also freeze this dish for later. Once it's cool, cut it into servings, wrap them tight in plastic, and freeze up to 3 months. Heat from frozen in your microwave or oven when you want it.
Good To Know
- Feel free to switch up the fruits in this bake. Sliced bananas, apples, or peaches all work great for different flavor combos.
- Want to skip dairy? Just use almond milk or any other plant milk you like.
Pro Cook Advice
- Jamie Oliver likes to dust some cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra flavor and a slightly crisp, sweet crust.
- Yotam Ottolenghi thinks you should play around with spices like cardamom or nutmeg to give your oatmeal more interesting flavor notes.
REASONS TO TRY THIS
- You'll only dirty one bowl making this, so cleanup's a breeze.
- It makes a nutritious, filling breakfast you can prep ahead for busy mornings.
- The mix of oats, berries, and maple creates the perfect balance between textures and flavors.
MIX IT UP
- Toss in some chocolate chips before baking if you want something more decadent.
- Try apples and cinnamon instead of berries for a fall-themed breakfast.
- Throw in some chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch throughout.