Vanilla Berry Baked Oatmeal Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Bake

by: Gena Hamshaw

July20,2015

4.8

4 Ratings

  • Prep time 20 minutes
  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Makes 4 generous or 6 small servings

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Author Notes

A new spin on oats, this baked dish comes together with only a few stirs and less than an hour of time but feels like a special and indulgent breakfast. Vary the fruit with the seasons, and make a batch on Sunday so that you can cut slices and enjoy it through the week. It's lovely either hot or cold. If you're gluten-free, be sure to use certified GF oats. —Gena Hamshaw

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoonground flax meal
  • 3 tablespoonswarm water
  • 2 1/2 cupsrolled oats
  • 1 teaspoonbaking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoonsalt
  • 1 teaspooncinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoonvanilla powder or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean, scraped (or substitute 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 1/3 cupmaple syrup, plus more for serving
  • 2 1/4 cupsalmond or soy milk, plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespooncanola oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 cupsfresh mixed berries, plus a few extra for topping
  • 1/4 cupsliced almonds or chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoonsorganic brown sugar
  • Jam and/or nut butter, for serving (optional)
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and lightly oil an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish. Mix the flax meal and the water together in a small bowl. Allow them to thicken for a few minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the rolled oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla powder or vanilla bean (if you're substituting vanilla extract instead, add it to the wet ingredients).
  3. Whisk together the prepared flax mixture, the maple syrup, almond milk, and oil. Add the wet ingredients to the oat mixture and stir to combine. Fold in the berries.
  4. Turn the mixture out into your baking dish. Top with a few additional berries. Transfer the oatmeal to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle the almonds or pecans and brown sugar over the top and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are spongy, but solid. Allow them to cool.
  5. You can serve the baked oatmeal either warm or cold. Cut the oatmeal into squares and drizzle with additional non-dairy milk and some fresh jam or maple syrup, if desired. A schmear of almond or cashew butter is also delicious!

Tags:

  • American
  • Berry
  • Maple Syrup
  • Milk/Cream
  • Oat
  • Oatmeal
  • Pecan
  • Vanilla
  • Grains
  • Bean
  • Bake
  • Summer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Kris

  • Lesley Larose

  • Paula Hunter

  • suziqcu

  • Elizabeth Athens

Popular on Food52

40 Reviews

Kris July 29, 2020

I usually add a scoop of protein powder and that usually thickens this up. Then I can cut it into squares and freeze. Depending on my mood I will eat it like a cake with coffee or add some milk

TAM February 3, 2019

This has entered my permanent rotation. I confess to using frozen fruit, skipping the topping, reducing the maple syrup, preferring almond extract, and 1-bowling it - you can let the flax soak while you assemble the other ingredients, put in everything except the oats & milk & fruit & mix, then add oats and mix, then add milk and mix, finally mix in fruit.

Jenna M. October 24, 2017

Making this for the bazillionth time. I LOVE this recipe SO much. It's been a staple for the last few years since I came across it for the first time. If I don't have the exact ingredients, it has adapted well to whatever fruit I have on hand (I love it with apple and some cardamom/nutmeg/ginger added in with the cinnamon; or peaches with cardamom/cinnamon/nutmeg). It's worked with quick cooking steel cut oats too. Thank you, Gena!

Ellen November 3, 2018

I prefer steel cut oats. Do you cook them first?

Maritza August 9, 2017

I like it with some yougurt on top! Thank you for sharing

Lesley L. July 14, 2017

I just made this baked oatmeal exactly as written and it turned out perfectly! I topped my bowl with additional sliced berries and some coconut milk (with a bit of maple syrup & vanilla stirred in) and it was delicious! I like my oatmeal creamy and this sure is! There is enough for several breakfasts for my husband and I. Definitely a keeper!

Paula H. March 7, 2017

Has anyone made this recipe straight up? I would like to read how the thing came together before everyone started monkeying with the recipe. I get it that we all don't like the same things, but as a rule, I try to make the reciped as described the first time, and THEN make adjustments.

Elizabeth A. March 7, 2017

I have! It is really good---it can be a bit runny right when it comes out of the oven but firms up over time. The only reason I ended up changing anything was for simplicities sake (ex: vanilla extract rather than vanilla beans), it tastes wonderful as is...

Stef_art July 25, 2016

this did not work for me - we found it stodgy and charmless. I made it "non vegan", i.e. using one egg and whole full milk. still, it is nice to experiment.

tranquility July 24, 2016

Just made this for breakfast this morning and it was pretty darn delicious. However, the next time I make it I'll reduce the amount of maple syrup since it was just a tad too sweet for me.

I used oat milk, since it's my preferred non-dairy milk, and bilberries (commonly known as blueberries where I live).

JoAnne L. July 8, 2016

I make a version of this using coconut milk and chai spices that are simmered in the milk before mixing into the oats and baking. I toast pecans before adding them to the mix and baking for 35 minutes or so. It's fantastic!

Lora August 13, 2016

Sounds delicious. Do you mind sharing the recipe?

suziqcu June 7, 2016

Just made with the addition of some shredded unsweetened coconut, chopped dates, mashed bananas and some frozen blueberries. Its very wet going in....I doubled the recipe but stopped at a little less than 4 c of almond milk. Hope i didn't mess it up!!! Topped with brown sugar and sliced almonds.

Elizabeth A. January 30, 2016

Made this today and the entire family loved it! The only substitution I had to make was I used whole organic flax seeds as I didn't have ground flax. It worked just fine. I had blackberries and raspberries on hand so those went in and we finished the dish between 3 people (yes, we probably over-ate a bit lol). I think you could decrease the sugar a bit based on the sweetness of the berries you use. Will definitely be adding this to our breakfast rotation! Thank you Gena!

WHB November 2, 2015

Very tasty. This recipe seems like a veganized version of a (steel-cut) baked oatmeal recipe on Alexandra Stafford's website, Alexandra Cooks. She mixes the nuts/seeds in with the wet ingredients, but the flavors are very similar. This one has a different texture and cooks more quickly because it uses rolled oats.

Lizzie D. October 3, 2015

This is the way to brighten a bleak morning. I used frozen blackberries and pecans, and my baked oatmeal tastes wonderful. Thank you.

Melissa August 30, 2015

I just made this and I'm a fan! Has anyone tried to freeze leftovers?

purljamr December 31, 2015

I cut up & freeze all kinds of things like this & they all come out well, just cool, cut & put in freezer bags or small containers. Microwave what you need later.

Sujatha August 17, 2015

I do something similar but even easier. For 5 workdays worth of breakfasts I combine 1.5 c old fashioned oats plus 5 T oat bran with sprinkle of salt. Bring 3 c water to boil, add oats + bran, stir, cover and turn off heat. Let mixture steam several (6?) hrs at room temp. It will be solid enough to cut into 5 wedges, which I then portion out into small Tupperware containers. In morning I microwave contents in a covered bowl w abt 1/2c milk, 1 T nuts, cinnamon, saffron for 1-2 min -- let steam a few min, then add 1 T ground flax and whatever fruit I have. Takes about 10 min up front without heating kitchen, 5 min to portion out, and 3 min each morning to make a good breakfast.

Luci Z. August 17, 2015

I just made this- delicious! I used no-fat skim rather than almond milk and added a 1/2 teaspoon of almond oil. And regular old-fashioned oats. I used a little less maple syrup and cut the nuts, topped it with a little brown sugar mixed with cinnamon and about 2 teaspoons of finely chopped pecans. [for Weight Watchers folks, I calculated it to be 6 pt per large serving and 4 pts for a smaller serving.]

SophieL August 9, 2015

This was easy, fast and delicious. Had it for breakfast three mornings, and we still had a little left, so I added the final bit to strawberry-banana-blueberry smoothies, blended it with some yogurt and protein powder and we had another healthy breakfast. Good to the last drop!

mackenzie August 7, 2015

Would this bake easily in small mason jars for individual servings?

Anna August 5, 2015

Can I use an egg instead of the flax seed?

Julia D. August 21, 2015

The first time I made this, I substituted an egg for the flax seed + water and it turned out great.

Anna July 29, 2015

I'm eating this right now! :D So good, thanks for the recipe!

Vanilla Berry Baked Oatmeal Recipe on Food52 (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.

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.

How many days is baked oatmeal good for? ›

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftover baked oatmeal for 5 to 7 days, either wrapped in the baking pan or in an airtight container. To Reheat. Bake the oatmeal in a 350 degree F oven until it's warmed through, or simply heat it up in the microwave.

Why eat baked oats? ›

It's nutritionally balanced. Baked oats — particularly if you add some fruit, protein powder, and nut butter — are a great source of vital macro- and micronutrients.

How do you know when baked oats are done? ›

How to Make Baked Oats
  1. Place all the ingredients together in a blender.
  2. Blend until the mixture is evenly mixed and pourable.
  3. Transfer to a greased ramekin, oven-safe pan, or bowl. ...
  4. Bake in a 350 F oven until the edges pull away and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, around 20 to 25 minutes.
Feb 10, 2023

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 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 baked oatmeal actually healthy? ›

The Simple, Healthy Baked Oatmeal Recipe For Happy Breakfasts. We love oatmeal. 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.

Are baked oats good for gut health? ›

Oats contain a type of soluble fiber, called beta glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels, thus reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes. Beta glucan also promotes healthy gut bacteria and intestinal health.

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.

Should you refrigerate baked oatmeal? ›

if you want to double the recipe, make it in a 9×13-inch pan and double the ingredients. Feel free to add nuts or use fresh or frozen fruit instead of the dried fruit. Store the baked oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Can baked oatmeal be left out overnight without? ›

Can I prepare oatmeal and leave it at room temperature overnight? As long as there's no milk or butter, leaving it at room temp is fine.

What are the pros and cons of eating oats? ›

Overall, oats are a low-risk, high-reward food. However, despite their numerous health benefits, there are a few things to keep in mind if you're new to the oat game. Oats are high in soluble fiber, which is good for digestion, but it may also cause bloating, increased gas, and abdominal cramps for some people.

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.

Why does oatmeal make me feel so good? ›

By delaying the time it takes your stomach to empty of food, the beta-glucan in oatmeal may increase your feeling of fullness. Beta-glucan may also promote the release of peptide YY (PYY), a hormone produced in the gut in response to eating.

How do you make oats that aren't soggy? ›

How do you make oatmeal not mushy? Use old fashioned oats and use a little less water than the recipes call for. Use Irish style steel cut oats. Make them as overnight oats where you soak the oats in liquid overnight.

How do you fix soggy oatmeal? ›

If, however, you have made refrigerator oatmeal, and the porridge that greets you in the morning is essentially a lake of liquid, this is also an easy fix. Pour the oatmeal into a bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes. It will have to suck up the extra liquid as it cooks!

How do you keep oatmeal from getting mushy? ›

The method is pretty simple. Instead of a 2-1 ratio of water to oats that most manufacturer's recommend, use a 1-1 ratio. Equal parts of oats and water will allow the oats to absorb all the liquid and be slightly al dente. No mush.

What makes oatmeal gooey? ›

It's tempting to want to continually stir the oats as they simmer in the pot, but it can lead to too much starch, which results in a gummy, gluey texture. Follow this tip: Try to leave your oats undisturbed while they cook. Cover the pot as it simmers and give it just one or two stirs here and there.

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