Baked oatmeal is a quick and easy way to prepare a bowl of oatmeal for the whole family. It’s an all-in-one casserole of oats, milk, maple syrup or honey, eggs, and flavorings. Made with ingredients from your pantry, baked oatmeal is an excellent alternative to packaged instant oatmeal, and it offers much more texture and flavor.
The flavor possibilities are limitless. Mix-ins can include a cup or two of berries, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, raisins or currants, dried cranberries, or chopped dates, or add another fresh or frozen (unthawed) fruit. You may also add mashed ripe banana or about 1/4 cup of applesauce to the mixture, or swirl in a few tablespoons of your favorite fruit preserves just before baking.
Baked oatmeal is generally gluten-free, but always check the label on your oats to be sure. You can even make the dish vegan if you like, using non-dairy milk and an egg substitute. Serve baked oatmeal with yogurt, or drizzle with fresh fruit syrup.
“This recipe is like overnight oats, but baked, warm and delicious. I love that you can mix and match flavors here or make the batch early in the week and have a warm breakfast ready to go every morning. I would definitely make this recipe again.” —Tracy Wilk
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
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3 cups rolled oats
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1/2 teaspoon fine salt
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2 large eggs
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1 3/4 cups milk
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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
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1/2 cup maple syrup
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Fresh or frozen berries, optional
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Coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
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Chocolate chips, optional
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Maple syrup or yogurt, for serving, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F. Grease an 8-x 8-inch or 9-x 9-inch baking dish with butter or baking spray.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl until melted. Set aside.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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In a large bowl combine the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to blend the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and maple syrup until combined.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Add the egg mixture and melted butter to the oats, then mix until well blended.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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If desired, stir in 1 to 2 cups of any additional mix-ins, such as berries, nuts, or chocolate chips.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading into an even layer. Bake until golden brown and set, 35 to 45 minutes.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Let cool for 5 minutes. To serve, slice or scoop the baked oatmeal onto plates, then drizzle with syrup or top with yogurt, if desired.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Recipe Variations
- Vegan With Flax Eggs: To make 2 flax eggs, combine 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds with 6 tablespoons of warm water. Mix and let stand for about 20 minutes. or until the texture is like gelatin.
- Add about 1/4 cup of pumpkin, applesauce, or mashed banana.
- Swirl a few tablespoons of jam or preserves into the oatmeal before baking.
- Use non-dairy milk, such as coconut, almond, oat, or soy milk.
- For more servings, double the recipe and bake in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or 3-quart baking dish for the same amount of time.
- Replace the maple syrup with honey, use brown sugar, or a combination of brown sugar, maple syrup or honey.
How to Store
- Cover and refrigerate leftover baked oatmeal for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat single servings in the microwave with a small amount of milk, stirring every 20 seconds, until hot.
Can I use steel-cut oats for baked oatmeal?
While there are recipes for baked oatmeal made with steel-cut oats, they have different texture and moisture requirements, so they will not work as a one-to-one replacement for the rolled oats in this recipe.
Do I need to use baking powder for baked oatmeal?
Baking powder is a leavening agent and lightens the baked oatmeal. It may be a bit denser if you make it without the baking powder.
