If you haven’t yet tried Baked Oatmeal, you are missing out. This is the baked oatmeal recipe that gets two thumbs up every time we make it.
Lightly spiced with cinnamon and full of sweet dried fruit, so much more exciting than your average bowl of oatmeal. Baked oatmeal makes eating oatmeal feel a little like a special treat–a treat that just so happens to be good for you.
I’m showing you today how to make the BEST baked oatmeal. This is our family’s all-time favorite oatmeal recipe and we’ve made it so many times over the years that I’ve lost count.
Baked Oatmeal
My oldest son Sam has been making breakfast on his own for several years now. While I occasionally miss the baby days, there’s nothing quite like having kids old enough to get a hot breakfast on the table without any help!
We enjoy this Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal in the fall, Summer Berries Baked Oatmeal in the warm months when our favorite berries are in season and even found a way to combine several of our favorite foods in Peanut Butter Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal.
This post could also be labeled “Baked Oatmeal for Beginners” since the recipe I’m sharing below is a staple oatmeal recipe that’s appropriate for any season and day of the week.
Oatmeal Recipes
My family has a well-known love affair with oatmeal. We’ll happily eat oats simmered on the stovetop, slow-cooked in the crock-pot, baked into granola, cookies, and breads.
We like oatmeal in every way, shape, or form you can serve it. Muesli-style oats, nutty granolas, rich and creamy oats with sweet bites of fruit and melting brown sugar, chewy baked oatmeal combinations; I doubt that I will ever turn down a warm oatmeal cookie.
You can find a full list of some of our favorite oatmeal recipes right here.
With all of those varieties to choose from, I can still say, beyond any doubt, that our all-time favorite way to make oatmeal for breakfast is BAKED.
How to Make Perfect Baked Oatmeal
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch pan with butter or coat with cooking spray. Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add the oil, eggs, and milk and stir to combine. Add the craisins and stir once more.
- Scoop the oat mixture into the greased pan and bake for 30 minutes. The oatmeal should be lightly browned, slightly crisp on top and around the edges. A knife inserted will come out mostly clean with wet crumbs. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Slice into servings or scoop servings with a spoon. Enjoy!
Freezer Meal Instructions: Let the oatmeal cool completely and then cut or scoop into portions. Store the oatmeal in airtight freezer bags or containers. Reheat in the microwave with a tablespoon of water.
Baked Oatmeal Recipe
There is something about sweet and chewy oatmeal that is guaranteed to make you smile, whether you choose to make a simple recipe or load it up with your favorite fillings.
It’s delicious warm right out of the oven or warmed up in the microwave. We love eating oatmeal for breakfast but we’ve also been known to heat it up for a midday snack. We enjoy this oatmeal with a glass of milk, cup of tea, or mug of coffee for a dose of energy and comfort.
Some baked oatmeals, like this Biscoff Banana Bread variety, also make fantastic desserts. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and it’s as a good a sweet treat as anything.
Looking for a special Valentine’s Day breakfast idea? Heart Shaped Craisin Baked Oatmeal is too cute to pass up.
And this Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal has been my youngest son’s favorite for years now.
I love all those fancier varieties of oatmeal but at the end of the day, it’s hard to beat the simple and tasty enjoyment of this perfect Baked Oatmeal.
To make this recipe even better, it can also be made in advance then portioned into individual bags or containers for one portion meals. This is a lifesaver on busy mornings!
Looking for more amazing and easy Oatmeal Recipes? Put Overnight Baked Oatmeal with Fresh Cranberries, Pineapple and Coconut Baked Oatmeal, and Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal on your list to try next!
How To Make The BEST Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup light flavored olive oil
- 3 eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup craisins or raisins optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch pan with butter or coat with cooking spray. Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add the oil, eggs, and milk and stir to combine. Add the craisins and stir once more.
- Scoop the oat mixture into the greased pan and bake for 30 minutes. The oatmeal should be lightly browned, slightly crisp on top and around the edges. A knife inserted will come out mostly clean with wet crumbs. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Slice into servings or scoop servings with a spoon. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 1/26/16 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/28/22}
Trisha H says
Baked oatmeal is a staple in my house. Funny thing is, I have disliked oatmeal my entire life (I'm a grits kinda girl), but this dish is in the top ten of my favorite recipes. I make mine with sliced apples and cinnamon lining the bottom with no craisins or raisins and I'm here to tell you that I don't know which I would choose if I HAD to, grits or (gulp)baked oatmeal. It is truly divine. 🙂
Loupinet TOUTENCROCS says
I tested this recipe and I really liked it. I'm addicted to oatmeal. That was the first time I baked it.
I published it on my blog : http://lescrocsduloupinet.blogspot.fr/2016/03/gateau-de-flocons-davoine-labricot.html .
Thank you for sharing your recipes.
(From France)
Rae says
Tried this for breakfast today. Made only half as much because I’m the only one that enjoys all things oatmeal. Delicious! Used 1/2 of everything except I used only 1 egg, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and also added 1/2 cup of pecans and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
Bianca O'Brien says
Simple and delicious! We used golden raisins instead of cranberries and it was perfect!
Hannah Hornung says
Used this recipe as a jumping off point: we added almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds, and vanilla.
Superb!!
Thank you for posting. 😁
Ellen says
I love this! Followed recipe but added a handful of walnuts and sprinkled with extra cinnamon. It’s moist but holds together well. I can imagine many variations according to what dried fruit or nuts and seeds I have hanging around.
Karen Velthaus says
Just made this this morning on a very rainy Sunday. It was delicious and got rave reviews from my family. Definitely a repeater!!! Thanks so much
Mary says
I’m so glad you like the baked oatmeal, Karen!
Michelle Smith says
Do you have the nutritional values for the baked oatmeal…???
Mary says
Hi Michelle, that isn’t something that I track, however you can take the ingredient list and paste it into an online recipe calculator (like this one: https://happyforks.com/analyzer) to figure the nutritionals.
Sarah says
Has anyone tried soaking the oatmeal in hot water first? I made this and loved it, but I feel like I might have liked the oatmeal a bit more tender. Thinking about taking half the volume of liquid as boiling water and soaking the oatmeal in it for a few minutes before adding the other ingredients. I have an oatmeal spice cake recipe that calls for that and it always comes out great.
Mary says
Hi Sarah, I enjoy the texture of the oatmeal as written, but if you prefer it a bit softer, you can substitute the smaller quick-cooking oats for the old fashioned rolled oats listed above. They will soften more in the baking process.
Natalie says
I’ve made it from recipes that actually have you use cooked/prepared oatmeal instead of adding in the dry oats and it comes out perfect. You could try doing that and you would probably like it that way.
Anita says
Can i substitute sweetener for the brown sugar?
Mary Younkin says
Sure thing. You can use any sweetener you like, Anita.
Charity Trice says
Can I use soy milk instead of cow’s milk in this recipe?
Mary Younkin says
That should work fine, Charity.
Holly says
When you say 10 inch pan, are you talking about a round cake pan? I have never heard of a 10×10 but your pan looks square in the picture. Also, it says 6 servings, but I am taking this to mean 6 good meal-sized servings for a pan that size. Thanks for the help. 🙂
Mary Younkin says
Hi Holly, I do typically use a 10×10 square pan, however, you can make this in just about any size pan. Just adjust the time slightly higher for thicker oatmeal in a smaller pan, and adjust it for less baking time if you’re making thinner oatmeal in a larger pan. The oatmeal won’t a great deal in the oven, so as long as it has at least half an inch rise space in the pan, it will work fine.
Liana says
I’ve had baked oatmeal once in my life, and now I’ve volunteered to bring it for a breakfast-themed meal. I’m not sure if the olive oil I have on hand is lightly-flavored…anyone used butter instead?
Mary Younkin says
Butter, vegetable or canola oil will work as well. You just don’t want to use an extra virgin olive oil.
Stacey C says
I made this with a few modifications this morning. We are it warm for breakfast and then cold with whipped topping for dessert after dinner. Absolutely delicious both ways. I added two over-ripe mashed bananas, blueberry infused dried cranberries, an extra half teaspoon of cinnamon (I would probably bump it up another half to a full 2 teaspoons the next time I make it), a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a scoop of vanilla protein powder. I baked it in a 9×11 pan for the 30 minutes. Yum!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy you’re enjoying this oatmeal, Stacey!
Gabriela says
I’m so stoked to make this! Can I make it the night before and then bake in the morning? If so, at what point do I stop?
Mary Younkin says
That should work fine, Gabriela. However, I typically go ahead and bake it and then just reheat portions through the week in the microwave. (I add a tablespoon or two of water to the dish with the oatmeal when I’m reheating.)
Diane Owens says
Are baking instructions different at higher elevations?
Mary Younkin says
This recipe should be fine at all elevations, Diane.
Ann says
how can i make the baked oatmeal softer? my kiddos find it too hard
Mary Younkin says
You might try adding 1/2 cup more milk, Ann. And make sure to remove it from the oven when cooked through but before it gets crispy on top.
Harriet says
What please is light flavored olive oil and is there a substitution for this?
Mary Younkin says
Light olive oil is simply olive oil that is NOT extra-virgin oil. You can also use vegetable or canola oil, Harriet.
Bonny says
can you use melted butter in place of the oil?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, that will work, Bonny.
Dionne Springman says
I absolutely love this recipe! I made this one with craisins and added chia seeds! I also made the peanut butter banana bread recipe! I look forward to making them all. They also keep you energized and less hungry for those of us trying to lose weight and eat healthy too! Thank you for these great recipes!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the oatmeal recipes, Dionne!
Bose says
Hello Mary. Can I make the recipe with Quaker oats?
Mary Younkin says
That’s what I use, Bose.