So breakfast is my least favorite meal, and honestly, breakfast foods just aren't my cup of tea. Most of the time, that is. This baked oatmeal sure puts a smile on my face, though. Typically, I don't care much for regular oatmeal in a bowl, unless it has lots of brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon, which I hardly ever eat. But this recipe just hits different. My mom, who is not a fan of regular oatmeal, loves this recipe, as well.
While this recipe can be made in a variety of ways (I'll share some ideas below), the very first version I made, and our favorite, is made with blueberries, pecans, and cinnamon. I mean, can you even have baked oatmeal without cinnamon?! This is the perfect breakfast to wake up for as it is about as warming, comforting and cozy as you can get. It's nourishing from the inside out and while it's extra perfect on a cold winter morning, it's really great anytime of year. You can make a batch up and have it over several days. You could even pack it up for travelling and just heat it up in a hotel microwave if you want a homemade healthy breakfast on the road.
Let's get on with the recipe...
Blueberry Pecan Baked Oatmeal
(with more variations below!)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:
2 large, very ripe, spotty bananas, mashed
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Once combined, add the following:
2 cups old fashioned oats (not the quick cooking kind)
1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Once everything is mixed together, fold in:
(This is where you can choose which variation you want to make.)
1 & 1/4 cups fresh blueberries (frozen work, too, if that's what you have)
1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans
Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350*F for 40 minutes, or until golden brown everywhere, especially on the edges.
Serve warm and enjoy!
This oatmeal keeps at room temp for 2-3 days,
in the fridge for 5 days,
and can be frozen up to 3 months.
Other variations to try:
Mixed berry:
1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
Chunky Monkey:
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
Banana:
1 cup sliced bananas
a few extra slices on top, too
Strawberry Pecan:
1 & 1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans
Chocolate Covered Strawberry:
1 & 1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Apple Walnut:
1 granny smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 gala apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts