The Best Baked Oatmeal Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

There’s nothing better than a breakfast that basically makes itself! This baked oatmeal recipe comes together in a snap and tastes amazing.

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I don’t use the term “the best” lightly, but this baked oatmeal? It really is the best. I have tried so many basic baked oatmeal versions and pretty much all of them were mediocre at best: Too thin, too mushy, too much fuss, too sweet, not sweet enough…

In the end, I decided to create my own recipe combining all the features I want in my baked oatmeal, and of course I had to share it with you here.

This baked oatmeal

  • comes out thick, fluffy and cake-like
  • is sweet enough to be delicious, but not too sweet – definitely still breakfast appropriate (I mean it is for me, if you’re very cathartic about your breakfast… maybe try my blueberry baked oatmeal without any refined sugar?)
  • has just the right texture – not dry, not mushy, nope… just right, like the little bear’s bowl in the Goldilocks story
  • is definitely 100% fuss-free to make, pinky promise

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

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Ingredient notes

  • Oats: This recipe works best with regular rolled oats. If you’re using old-fashioned, I recommend to let them soak for at least one hour. Quick oats come out too mushy. Please do NOT make this with steel cut oats, they need a lot more liquid and this recipe will not work. (Seriously, it doesn’t. If you try and it fails… You’ve been appropriately warned.)
  • Milk: Use whatever milk your heart desires. Whole, 2%, 1%, skim, almond, giraffe… Well, maybe the giraffe milk is a bit too difficult to find, but I’m assuming it would actually work.
  • Butter: You can use oil instead of the melted butter. The butter definitely makes it taste more luxurious though. And a little luxury for breakfast makes all the difference for those not-so-morning people among us.

Step by step photos

Ok, got all of your ingredients? Then let’s get this party started. (And yes, baked oatmeal is indeed a reason to party.)

First, you’ll add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl. Really, use a bowl large enough or you’ll curse yourself and the mess you made on your counter later.

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Then, stir them well. This is important so you evenly distribute both the salt and the baking powder.

P.S: I definitely posed this “stirring” photo and I’m not actually stirring but holding the spatula very still. My husband says I’m crazy, but I prefer to call myself normalcy challenged.

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Anyways, moving on:

Add all remaining ingredients (aka the “wet ingredients”) to the bowl. Yep, you can just add them all to the dry ingredients without needing to combine them in a separate bowl first. Less dishes, always.

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Finally, stir the mix very well. It’s going to take a little bit of effort to break up those egg yolks and distribute them evenly.

(This is where the “large enough bowl” comes into play – if you’re cursing yourself right now because your counter is covered in unbaked oatmeal? Sorry to say, but I told you so).

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Last but not least, pour everything into a greased baking dish and… Well, bake your oatmeal. You can also cover and refrigerate it up to overnight at this point, if you want to make your oatmeal ahead and bake it later!

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And once it’s baked and cooled a little (yes, you do need to let it cool it a little… sorry, I know, it’s the hardest part of this recipe)… Slice it…

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… and serve with all the fixin’s!

Serving ideas

While you can just slap a bar of this into your kids’ hands (and call it an oatmeal breakfast bar) while you’re hurrying them out of the house in the morning… You can also be classy about it and make it a sit-down breakfast.

Serve the oatmeal slices in bowls with extra milk, fresh fruit and maple syrup for everyone to add themselves.

(This exact classy scenario is also how my 3 year old once dumped an entire bottle of maple syrup over a single slice of oatmeal while I was trying to wrangle the baby into his carrier. Ah, the joys of motherhood.)

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Make ahead instructions

In case you skipped over the step by step photos (come on, we both know 95% of you did)… here are the make ahead instructions again, plus some more:

To prep the oatmeal now and bake later:

Make the oatmeal up to adding the mixture to the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate up to overnight.

Bake in the morning, uncovered, as directed in the recipe. You’ll need to add around 10 minutes to the baking time because the oatmeal is very cold from being in the fridge all night.

To store the baked oatmeal:

Let the oatmeal cool to room temperature, then cover (or place the sliced oatmeal in a container with a lid). Place in the fridge for up to 3 days. Gently reheat in the microwave, if you like.

To freeze the baked oatmeal:

Let the oatmeal cool to room temperature. Slice into bars and wrap each well in plastic wrap. Either place in freezer bags or in freezer-friendly containers. Label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months).

To defrost, remove the oatmeal from the freezer bag or container. Let sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes, until you can remove the plastic wrap. Place the oatmeal bars on a wire rack and defrost on the counter for a couple of hours. Reheat in the microwave, if you like.

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And that, my friends… Is the very lengthy story of my baked oatmeal recipe.

tl;dr: Stir everything together in a bowl. Add to a baking dish and bake. Eat way too hot, burning the roof of your mouth, because you can’t resist the delicious smell. Or maybe that’s just me… The end.

(Just in case it wasn’t perfectly clear, this is humor in the sentence above. Obviously, do not eat the oatmeal way too hot. Eat it at a safe temperature for your precious mouth. Please.)

More baked oatmeal recipes

  • Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
  • Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
  • Cinnamon Apple Baked Oatmeal
  • Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal Cups (Banana Chocolate Chip Walnut)

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

The Best Baked Oatmeal

There's nothing better than a breakfast that basically makes itself! This baked oatmeal recipe comes together in a snap and tastes amazing.

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 23 votes

Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 40 minutes mins

Total 50 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 6 cups rolled oats uncooked
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1 stick butter melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

  • Combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add eggs, milk, melted butter and vanilla and mix very well.

  • Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until set. Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice into bars to serve.

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Notes

To prep the oatmeal now and bake later:

Make the oatmeal up to adding the mixture to the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate up to overnight.

Bake in the morning, uncovered, as directed in the recipe. You’ll need to add around 10 minutes to the baking time because the oatmeal is very cold from being in the fridge all night.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 345mgPotassium: 403mgFiber: 4gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 539IUCalcium: 182mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Suitable for: Vegetarian

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

The Best Baked Oatmeal Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

Why are my baked oats soggy? ›

If the center is soggy, the oats likely need a little more time in the oven. Be sure to bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How to make oatmeal more delicious? ›

Treat oatmeal like any other grain and use it to build a satisfying grain bowl. Eggs, braised greens, mushroom crisps, and feta are all great additions. Add some shakes of everything spice and a teaspoon of cream cheese for oatmeal that tastes like a bagel.

What's the difference between baked oats and oatmeal? ›

The difference between baked oatmeal and baked oats is all in the texture. And getting that cake-like texture comes from adding the egg, but also blending the ingredients well.

What not to add to oatmeal? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  1. Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  2. Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  3. Chocolate chips or other candy.
  4. Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  5. Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  6. Sweetened coconut flakes.
  7. Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

Why does salt make oatmeal better? ›

"Salt really brings the flavor of oats to life so don't skip this step when cooking and don't wait [until] the oatmeal is done to just sprinkle it on top," says Michalcyzk. Instead, stir in a pinch while you cook the oats, this way you can monitor as you go and get the right amount of salt.

Do you have to soak oats before baking? ›

Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest. In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we'll be soaking. Once they're soaked, it's time to cook.

Is baked oatmeal good for you? ›

It's satisfying, and a steaming bowl of baked oatmeal adds a touch of comfort to the start of the day. It's also full of fiber and protein, making it a healthy breakfast option. Baked oatmeal is a great blank canvas that you can jazz up with any number of add-ins.

How long should you soak oats before baking? ›

Soak the oats 8-24 hours before baking. The day before you want to make this for breakfast, put the oats, coconut milk, and yogurt in a medium mixing bowl, stir to combine, and cover with a towel to soak overnight. You can also butter your 9x13 baking dish the night before so it's ready.

What adds flavor to oatmeal? ›

Additions for taste
  1. Fresh fruit: berries, bananas, apples, peaches, mango, or pears.
  2. Spices: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg.
  3. Natural sweeteners: a dash of maple syrup or honey.
  4. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened chocolate: shaved dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more)
Apr 19, 2022

What spices to add to oatmeal? ›

Add different spices, such as nutmeg, ginger, allspice, or cloves. Add different sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Top your oatmeal with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or fresh fruit. Add a dollop of yogurt or Greek yogurt to your oatmeal for extra creaminess and protein.

Is oatmeal good for a diabetic? ›

A cup of cooked oatmeal (1/2 cup of dried oats) contains approximately 30 grams of carbs, which can fit into a nutritious meal plan for people with diabetes. Oatmeal is high in fiber and nutrients but low in saturated and trans fats and sugar and can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Is it OK to eat baked oats everyday? ›

Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Is oatmeal better for you than potatoes? ›

Compare 100 calories of baked potato to 100 calories of oatmeal, and you find a bit less protein (3 grams vs. 4), a bit more starch (18 grams vs. 16) and a similar mineral profile (potatoes have more potassium, but oats have more selenium). But potatoes beat out oats in just about every vitamin, as well as fiber.

Which is better overnight oats or baked oats? ›

The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

Which is better oatmeal with water or milk? ›

Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.

What is the healthiest way to eat oatmeal? ›

Healthy Ways To Eat Oatmeal

For example, you can season your oatmeal with a touch of maple syrup, along with anti-inflammatory cinnamon or ginger and fresh fruit. Add nuts, seeds, or nut/seed butter for healthy fat and bonus plant protein.

What is the most nutritious way to make oatmeal? ›

6 Easy Ways to Make Breakfast Oatmeal Even Healthier
  1. Add pureed spinach. ...
  2. Top with antioxidant-rich fruits. ...
  3. Add a protein boost. ...
  4. Choose natural sweeteners. ...
  5. Try steel cut oats. ...
  6. Spice it up.
Jan 8, 2021

What is the best and healthiest oatmeal to eat? ›

Steel-cut oats, also called Irish oatmeal, are the whole oat kernel that has been cut into two or three pieces using steel disks. This type of oats contains the highest amount of fiber, as it is least processed. Steel-cut oats take a little longer to cook, and result in a creamy and chewy porridge.

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