How to Make the Best Baked Oatmeal for Breakfast
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
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.
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.
Cool Summertime Oatmeal
Start this breakfast the night before so you can get a few extra z's in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana Also check out our diabetic-friendly oatmeal recipes.
Bananas Foster Oatmeal
This oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. —Carol Touchton, Seffner, Florida
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
These 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
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
This warm breakfast cereal made in the slow cooker is a great way to get your veggies in the morning and keep a healthy diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with ground walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pineapple Oatmeal
Oatmeal for breakfast is a standard item, but I like to mix it up a bit. This version gets some natural sweetness from pinapple juice and tidbits. It is definitely worth trying! —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
Cranberry-Walnut Oatmeal
My 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 Maple Oatmeal
I 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
Black Forest Oatmeal
I'm always looking for healthier ways to incorporate my chocolate addiction into every meal. I've made this with peanut butter chips with bananas, and white chocolate and mint chocolate chips with raspberries.—Rachel Strong, Moseley, Virginia
Fruit & Nut Baked Oatmeal
In 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 Oatmeal
Start 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
Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal
Oatmeal 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 Oatmeal
These easy, apple-y oats give your family a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Overnight Cherry-Almond Oatmeal
Would you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It's so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before you go to bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Raisin Nut Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Slow-Cooked Fruited Oatmeal with Nuts
The 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 Oatmeal
This fruity, delicious oatmeal would be so good served with vanilla soy milk. Give it a try! — Jennifer Banyay, NorthRidgeville, Ohio
Oatmeal Brulee with Ginger Cream
This 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 Oatmeal
Whole-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
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
The classic flavors of peanut butter and bananas come together in this yummy oatmeal. It’s a healthy recipe that fits in my diet and satisfies my husband’s taste buds at the same time. We enjoy it often. —Debbie Perdue, Westland, Michigan
Amish Baked Oatmeal
Brown 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.
