You can skip the recipe on the back of the package! Here's our best recipe—and some handy tips—for how to make baked oatmeal.
How to Make the Best Baked Oatmeal for Breakfast
Updated Mar. 20, 2019
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a cold morning to a comforting breakfast that’s already been prepared. In my family, baked oatmeal is one of our favorite make-ahead breakfasts because it ticks all the boxes. It’s simple to prepare, saving you time and money each morning. Plus, baked oatmeal is healthy—and you can sweeten it up with your favorite fruit. Finally, it keeps well in the refrigerator or the freezer.
While making your morning oatmeal is simple, it’s not always foolproof. Here’s how to skip the mess and keep the comfort—with a warm pan of baked oatmeal.
How to Make Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups fat-free milk
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fruit of your choice
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts, optional
- Additional fat-free milk, optional
You can add peaches and blueberries to your baked oatmeal—here’s how.
Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish
This recipe provides large servings, so keep it in mind for your next brunch with friends. Choose an 11×7-in. baking dish and coat it with cooking spray. Set it aside, and preheat the oven to 350°.
Keep that baking dish handy for these other make-ahead recipes, all perfect for 11×7 pans.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Once you have mixed the oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt, whisk in the egg whites, egg, milk, canola oil and vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to stand for about 5 minutes to thicken a bit.
Step 3: Add Your Fruit
Choose your favorite fruit and fold it into the oatmeal mixture. You can’t go wrong with any type of berry. Peaches and apples will also add some natural sweetness.
No fruit? No problem! This Amish baked oatmeal recipe is great without it.
Step 4: Bake It Up
Pour your oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with chopped walnuts, if you’d like. Place the dish in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the mixture is set and the top is slightly browned.
Oatmeal for days! Serve with additional milk and fruit and keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
More Hearty Oatmeal Recipes for Breakfast
Overnight Baked OatmealThese pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. - Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey
Cranberry-Walnut OatmealMy family loves cranberries but we can get them fresh only during the holiday season. This recipe lets us enjoy the tartness of cranberry with the comfort of oatmeal all year long. —Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Overnight Oats with YogurtI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Fruit & Nut Baked OatmealIn my part of the Midwest, baked oatmeal is a Mennonite specialty. My daughters are always delighted if we have leftovers for them to take home.—Fancheon Resler, Albion, Indiana
Overnight OatmealStart this breakfast the night before so you can get some extra sleep in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana.
Banana OatmealOatmeal is a favorite breakfast food, quick, easy and filling. I came up with this version by using some of the same ingredients from my favorite breakfast smoothie. Add bran cereal for a heartier taste and more fiber. A brown sugar substitute and soy milk also blend in well. —Jessi Rizzi, Odenton, Maryland
Spiced Apple OatmealThese easy apple-y oats let your family have a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Slow-Cooked Fruited Oatmeal with NutsThe beauty of this breakfast is that you can set the slow cooker overnight and, with nothing more than a ladle, spoons and bowls, feed a crowd in
the morning. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Gluten-Free Baked OatmealThis fruity, delicious oatmeal would be so good served with vanilla soy milk. Give it a try! — Jennifer Banyay, NorthRidgeville, Ohio
Oatmeal Brulee with Ginger CreamThis is an awesome dish for a chilly morning. I love the crispy, caramelized top and raspberry surprise at the bottom.
—Yvonne Starlin, Portland, Tennessee
Michigan Fruit Baked OatmealWhole-grain oatmeal is a delicious way to start every day. For a change, swap chunks of granny smith apples for the dried fruit. Leftovers warm well in the microwave.—Jeanette Kass, Ravenna, Michigan
Amish Baked OatmealBrown sugar and spice and everything nice-like cinnamon, coconut, oats and chips-are layered together in pretty jars of yummy, ready-to-bake cookies. A quick and easy gift idea that's appreciated any time of year, it was shared by our Test Kitchen.
Originally Published: February 22, 2019
