The creamy, nutty flavor of almond butter gives this baked oatmeal delicious flavor. Mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and cane sugar give this dish sweetness and flavor; oats are folded into the mixture with milk and then baked to perfection. Baked oatmeal is soft, warm and comforting like a traditional bowl of oatmeal, but offers the convenience of batch cooking and ability to cut into portions.
What is baked oatmeal? What does this one taste like?
Baked oatmeal offers the comfort of a warm bowl of oatmeal, but with the ease and convenience of baking a cake to make multiple servings. I first started making baked oatmeal for this exact reason: I love warm oatmeal, but I didn’t want to make it every morning (let’s face it, stirring oatmeal on the stove is not the most fun or practical for a daily breakfast). Sure, you can get those packages of instant oatmeal with flavors, but if you’re anything like me, those don’t really keep me satisfied. This baked oatmeal is bulked up with other healthy ingredients to make this dish super satisfying, as well as delicious. I love eating my baked oatmeal with a side of plain non fat Greek yogurt and sliced bananas. I typically eat it this way out of a bowl, and take little bits of each component on the spoon. It’s so delicious and filling! Almond butter adds a delicious flavor component to this recipe; the creamy, nutty flavor and texture of the almond butter adds flavor and texture to this recipe. The natural oils of the almond butter also help bring the dish together as it bakes. For this recipe, the almond butter replaces the applesauce component that I use in the other baked oatmeal recipes.
Using almond butter in this recipe
Almond butter is a great ingredient to use in healthier baking; the natural oils from the almonds make for a great ingredient in dishes like this one. Since normally applesauce is a good replacement for oil in a recipe, the almond butter is used here as a replacement for my usual applesauce in my baked oatmeal recipes. Almond butter is creamy, decadent, and packed with protein and nutrients. It also has good fats, which are great for fueling your body and keeping you full. The flavor of the almond butter really permeates this dish.
What you’ll need to make this baked oatmeal
Here’s the ingredient list for this recipe:
- overripe bananas
- unsalted almond butter
- Make sure your almond butter is unsalted!
- I used the Target brand (Good and Gather).
- You can also use cashew butter or natural peanut butter.
- cane sugar
- cashew milk (or almond milk, or skim milk)
- vanilla extract
- baking powder
- kosher salt
- old fashioned oats
If you don’t have bananas that are overripe, here is a great tip. I actually used this method when I created this recipe to quickly ripen my bananas. Place your bananas on a baking sheet (with the peel intact) and bake at 300F for 15-20 minutes. Once they are cooled and you unpeel them, they will be nice and mushy and ripened, perfect to create this recipe. Substitution suggestions:
- If you don’t like or are allergic to bananas, you can use unsweetened applesauce (approximately 1 cup is equivalent to two bananas).
- If you are diabetic or do not want to use real sugar, you can use sugar replacements.
How to make almond butter baked oatmeal
To make almond butter baked oatmeal, start off by preheating your oven to 375F. Next, mash the bananas, and then add the almond butter, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
Then, add the milk and fold in the oats. Pour this mixture into a sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle the extra teaspoon of sugar on top of the oats, and then bake for 35-40 minutes or until the bake is firm and set up. Let the bake cool before cutting into it, so that it holds it’s shape.
How to store and reheat baked oatmeal
Store the oatmeal in an air tight container in the fridge, or store individual portions in plastic wrap in the fridge. You can also freeze baked oatmeal in individual portions (in freezer bags) in the freezer. To reheat, simply microwave the individual portions to heat through. You can also put a defrosted portion of the baked oatmeal into the toaster oven or air fryer to crisp up, after it has been defrosted fully and heated through.
Almond Butter Baked Oatmeal
Equipment
- baking dish or small casserole dish
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, overripe
- 2 tbsp unsalted almond butter
- 2 tbsp cane sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup cashew milk, unsweetened, or almond milk or skim
- 1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
Topping
- 1 tsp cane sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Spray a small baking dish or casserole with cooking spray. I used an 8.5" x 11" 2.5qt casserole dish for this.
- Add the overripe bananas to the bottom of a mixing bowl, and mash them with a fork.
- Add the almond butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract, and stir to combine.
- Add the milk. Whisk together.
- Add the oats. Fold in.
- Pour the mixture evenly into the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of sugar evenly on top of the oats.
- Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.
- Allow the bake to cool before cutting into it, so that it holds some of its shape.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out these other simple baked oatmeal recipes: Maple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
Ruby says
I will try it
Nancy says
I made this today and it was absolutely amazing!!! My usually picky husband said, “This is good like it’s actually really good”!
Alene says
Yum! Made this last night and had this morning. Served it with some strawberries. I enjoyed it. I think I’d enjoy it even more if there was some kind of crunch to it. I have to think about what I can add on top to give it some crunch while still staying WW friendly.
Sharon Middleton says
This is a wonderful oatmeal bake. I have tried several of them and they are all great but the almond butter may be my new favorite! Comes out perfect every time. I follow the recipe exactly as written. Even my husband said this was his favorite. Definitely give it a try!
Lisa says
Do you use quick oats or no?
AMY says
MY SON LOVES THIS BAKED OATMEAL RECIPE, AND I LOVE MAKING IT FOR HIM!
THANKS FOR THE GREAT OAT MEAL BAKE OPTIONS!
Samantha says
I’m hooked on these baked oatmeals from Sweet Savory and Steph!
I added a chopped Granny Smith apple to this one, so good! I also swap sugar for Truvia brown sugar blend. I follow WW personal points and oatmeal is a zero point food for me so depending on recipe, these baked oatmeal recipes are 2-3 points a slice. I cook one on a Sunday night and I have breakfast for four out of five work mornings!
Steph c says
If you like the taste of almond. This is for you. Very comforting and almond forward. Love the addition to some almonds for the crunch!
Melissa says
Made with cashew butter, came out great!
Kate S says
I was wondering if you’ve tried using your cookie butter spread in this? I just made it myself and LOVE it so I thought maybe it might work here?
Lindsay says
Yum. Have tried lemon almond and blueberry and this one is my favorite so far, but they are ALL SO DELICIOUS! Love that they are healthy! Thank you!
Jillian Louis says
I never leave comments but this is so healthy and easy! I used Honey instead of vanilla extract and water instead of milk and added cinnamon on top😊 perfect to go with morning coffee
Allie says
This is delicious and such a good meal prep breakfast! 10/10 every time
Kimberly Clem says
I haven’t made oatmeal bakes in a little while (been doing all of your other great breakfasts🙂). But so glad I made this one, delicious! Just made it for the second time in a week!!!
Marci says
Baked oatmeal has become a favorite for my son and it’s so convenient to get a satisfying breakfast on the go.