I don’t know why it took me so long to try baking my oatmeal. I was convinced it took longer than cooking on the stovetop, so why would I try it?

And then I tried it. YUM!

Perhaps it’s just this recipe, this combo, this method, but I am now enthusiastically pro-baked oatmeal!

Reason #1: This is so easy! Just put everything in a baking dish and place it in a warmed oven. You don’t even have to stir it!

Reason #2: This bakes for about a half an hour, which I always thought “took too long in the mornings.” But while it’s in the oven, it’s totally hands off. Once I realized I could use that time to tackle other morning tasks I had to do anyway – brewing coffee, taking a shower, getting dressed, etc – the baking time became quite convenient.

Reason #3: This tastes so good! Perhaps it’s my deep and abiding love for fresh bananas, but the combo of mashed banana, cooked oats, fresh fruit, cinnamon, and maple syrup is some of the best oatmeal I’ve ever had!

This dish is highly customizable. Add the chia seeds or leave them out. Use your favorite type of milk. Toss in different warm spices, like nutmeg, clove, and cardamom. Experiment with the types of fruit to put on top. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey. You can even add nuts to the top for some crunch!

NOTE: Once baked, this oatmeal keeps in the fridge, covered, for 3-4 days. Alternatively, you could wrap and freeze individual servings to be reheated later.

NOTE: The fruit on the top is optional; the oatmeal is still delicious without it. Fresh or frozen both work beautifully. Feel free to experiment with types of fruit, as well. Berries work especially well.

NOTE: This is one of my favorite recipes for hyper-restricted diets. It’s gluten free, dairy free, and has no refined sugar.

One Pan Baked Oatmeal with Fruit
(Original recipe: Feel Good Foodie)

2 ripe bananas
2 C rolled oats
OPTIONAL: 2 TBSP chia seeds
2 C milk of your choice (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
OPTIONAL: 2 C mixed berries, fresh or frozen
Maple syrup or honey for serving

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8×11 baking dish with spray oil.

Use a fork to mash the bananas in the baking dish. Add the oats, followed by the chia seeds.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Pour over the oats and chia seeds. Gently stir to make sure all the oats are soaked in the milk mixture.

Evenly scatter the frozen mixed berries on top.

Bake in the preheated oven until the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

Drizzle maple syrup or honey on the top before serving.