If your mornings could use a little magic, hold on to your spoon—Banana Bread Baked Oats are here to revolutionize breakfast! Picture everything you love about classic banana bread, but transformed into a warm, lightly sweet, and fluffy baked oatmeal that comes together in a snap. This recipe brings cozy flavors and wholesome ingredients together for a nourishing treat you’ll crave any time of day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Wholesome: Banana Bread Baked Oats are packed with simple, nourishing ingredients so you can start your day feeling good.
- Warm Banana Bread Flavor: Every bite delivers that soft, homey taste of banana bread—perfectly cozy for chilly mornings or lazy weekends.
- Fuss-Free Prep: Everything comes together in a blender in just minutes, and no special culinary skills are needed.
- Endlessly Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your mood, cravings, or whatever’s in your pantry!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Banana Bread Baked Oats recipe is beautifully simple. Every ingredient brings either comforting flavor, hearty texture, or crave-worthy sweetness to the final dish, so nothing’s here by accident! Take a peek below to see how these staple pantry items become breakfast magic.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: These give the baked oats their sturdy structure—blended smooth, they create that cake-like texture everyone loves.
- Overripe banana: The star ingredient! Super spotty bananas are extra sweet and bring natural moisture for that soft, banana bread vibe.
- Eggs: Eggs bind everything together, lending lift and a satisfyingly fluffy crumb.
- Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk): This keeps things creamy and light—use what suits your taste or dietary needs.
- Honey or sweetener of choice: Adds lovely sweetness; maple syrup or agave work wonderfully here too.
- Baking powder: The magic behind the rise—a little goes a long way toward that gentle “baked” feel.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates that classic banana bread taste and brings a cozy aroma to your kitchen.
- Cinnamon: For a hint of warmth and spice that ties everything together.
- Salt: Just a pinch—this tiny bit makes every other flavor pop!
- Mini chocolate chips: For melty, gooey bursts in every bite—feel free to swap in nuts or keep it classic.
Variations
One of the best things about Banana Bread Baked Oats is how flexible they are. You can easily make these fit your cravings, experiment with new flavors, or adapt them to suit dietary preferences and whatever you have on hand!
- Nutty Swap: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for that classic banana bread crunch, or even fold in nut butter for extra richness.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Use oat milk or coconut milk and skip the chocolate chips or swap in dairy-free ones to make it completely plant-based.
- Protein Boost: Stir in a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder, or add a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt to the batter.
- Berry Burst: Press a few fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries into the tops before baking for fruity pops of flavor.
How to Make Banana Bread Baked Oats
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Ramekins
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—this ensures your oats rise perfectly and bake evenly. Lightly grease four small ramekins with a spritz of cooking spray or a brush of oil so your baked oats pop out easily after they’re done baking.
Step 2: Blend the Batter
Place the oats, banana, eggs, milk, honey, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth, transforming the oats into a batter with a cake-like consistency—this is your golden “banana bread in a bowl” moment!
Step 3: Fill, Sprinkle, and Bake
Divide the blended batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Gently swirl or fold in the mini chocolate chips, saving a few for scattering on top if you love that melted chocolate finish. Place ramekins on a baking sheet for easy transfer and bake for about 25 minutes, until the oats are puffed up and just turning golden at the edges.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Let the Banana Bread Baked Oats cool in their ramekins for at least five minutes—this helps them “set” for perfect texture. Serve them warm for pure comfort, or let them reach room temperature (they’re delicious both ways!).
Pro Tips for Making Banana Bread Baked Oats
- Go for Super Spotty Bananas: The riper your banana, the more sweetness and moisture you’ll get—brown-speckled bananas are baking gold!
- Blender Power Matters: Use a high-speed blender to ensure the oats are fully blitzed, giving you that ultra-smooth, cake-like batter.
- Ramekin Uniformity: Try to divide the batter evenly between ramekins so all your Banana Bread Baked Oats bake up at the same time and texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove from the oven when the tops are just turning golden and still slightly springy for the perfect, moist crumb!
How to Serve Banana Bread Baked Oats
Garnishes
Give your Banana Bread Baked Oats a special finish with a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips, thin banana slices, or a dusting of cinnamon. For an ultra-comforting touch, a drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt adds creaminess and flavor dimension.
Side Dishes
Pair Banana Bread Baked Oats with fresh seasonal fruit, crispy bacon, or a protein smoothie for a more filling breakfast. They also shine with a cup of bold coffee or a frothy chai latte on the side—pure breakfast bliss!
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the baked oats with yogurt and berries in a parfait glass for an elegant brunch treat, or serve them family-style in a single baking dish for easy scooping. For breakfast-to-go, pop cooled Banana Bread Baked Oats out of their ramekins and wrap them up for a portable snack!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your leftover Banana Bread Baked Oats cool completely, then cover each ramekin or place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days without losing their lovely texture.
Freezing
These freeze surprisingly well! After cooling, wrap each ramekin tightly or remove the oats from their dish and wrap in plastic, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or zap in the microwave for quick mornings.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave a ramekin (or serving) in 20–30 second intervals until warmed through, or cover and bake at 325°F for about 10 minutes. The moisture from the bananas keeps everything soft and cake-like, even after reheating!
FAQs
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Can I make Banana Bread Baked Oats without eggs?
Absolutely! Swap the eggs for flaxseed “eggs” (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tablespoons water), or use a store-bought egg replacer. Your baked oats will still hold together and have a lovely texture, though they may be slightly less fluffy.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats, Banana Bread Baked Oats are naturally gluten-free. Just double check that your oats are labeled gluten-free if you have a sensitivity or allergy.
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Can I bake this in one big dish instead of individual ramekins?
You bet! Pour the blended batter into a small greased baking dish (an 8×8-inch pan works great) and bake until puffed and set—this usually takes about 30–35 minutes. Slice and serve warm by the spoonful.
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How do I make Banana Bread Baked Oats in the air fryer?
To air fry, simply set the air fryer to 300°F and bake the filled ramekins for 10–12 minutes. They’ll become golden and fluffy even faster—just check for doneness with a toothpick.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give these Banana Bread Baked Oats a try and let them brighten up your breakfast routine. They’re cozy, customizable, and almost too easy—sharing them with friends, family, or just keeping them all to yourself is a recipe for happiness. Enjoy every warm, chocolate-flecked bite!
Print
Banana Bread Baked Oats Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delightful twist on traditional baked oats with this recipe for Banana Bread Baked Oats. These individual portions are bursting with the sweet flavors of banana and a hint of cinnamon, making them a perfect breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 overripe banana
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of your choice
- 2 tablespoons honey or sweetener of choice
Additional:
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Blend Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and blend until smooth.
- Divide Batter: Divide the batter and chocolate chips evenly among four ramekins.
- Bake: Bake for 25 minutes until puffed and lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked oats to cool for at least five minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- These can also be cooked in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
