Did you know that Baked Oatmeal is a thing?
I had no idea!
I knew I could boil oatmeal on the stove top. I knew that I could bake oatmeal into cookies… but I’ve never thought of baking up my breakfast oatmeal in a pie dish.
Huh… go figure.
Baked Oatmeal is the perfect thing to pack into your belly before going on a very expensive, fancy bath product shopping spree. I write from experience.
Incidentally… I smell amazing right now.
This might look like your regular morning oatmeal getting ready for the boiling water on the stove top.
Except this time we’re mixing in eggs and baking powder and milk.
And it’s not going on the stove top at all. No standing and stirring. No hot bubbling oatmeal leaping out of the pan to burn your arm.
It’s all baked. Plain and simple.
Baked Oatmeal is very different from the stove top variety. The consistency is somewhere between a chewy granola bar and a cake. It’s thick and a bit dry. But wait! Not dry in a bad way! I promise.
I scooped a crumbly piece of baked oatmeal out of the pie dish and into my breakfast bowl. Topped with cold milk, fresh raspberries and pistachios, this breakfast was super filling, warm and satisfying.
I’d say it’s the best way to serve a hearty breakfast without slopping out gummy bowls of goopy oatmeal. Kinda classy.
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast
adapted from allrecipes.com
serves four people
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (the quick cooking variety will break down and get soggy)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk (any fat content will do)
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
splash of vanilla extract
handful of dried cranberries (optional)
fresh raspberries, milk and pistachios for topping.
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, butter, egg and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to incorporate. Fold in the dried cranberries.
Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly firm to the touch and no wiggle remains.
Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes then spoon into serving bowls. Top with milk, fresh fruit and nuts and serve.
Mary
Wow! This breakfast is delicious!!!!!
I made this last night, then served it this morning by topping it with some milk and microwaving it for 30 seconds! Highly recommended!!!
HC
I can’t wait to try this. The dish is beautiful, by the way. Can you tell me the pattern/manufacturer?
~ J.
I read all of the comments to see if it’s been said before, and for those who care to read mine I have two words and an idea for you: cheesecake crust. that is all.
Aletha
I made this with steel cut oats, and it took twice as long to cook. I cooked it until it was firm in the middle, and it turned out great! When it cooled, it was sort of like chewy, sweet grape nuts when I put milk in it. I don’t know if that sounds good to anyone, but it was awesome!
n82
I just discovered this site and I love it! This is one amazing baked oatmeal! Thank you
Hannah
Had mine with walnuts, currants, and extra cinnamon.
Beats regular oatmeal in my book!
Stephanie
I made this for breakfast….I will never eat goopy oatmeal again. I didn’t have pistachios & raspberries but I had raisins to put on top & no cranberries. It’s just really good though & I thank you for sharing this recipe.
Kate
Just made this tonight and it was AMAZING. I had wanted to make dessert but couldn’t justify making dessert for myself so I opted for baked oatmeal instead–it was definitely as good as any dessert, and now I don’t feel (so) guilty.
Jess S
I just had this with ice cream — amazing. Can you substitute oil for the melted butter? (better fats for your heart!)
Shawna
Hi! I’ve been dying to make this for about a week! I finally did and it is AMAZING! Thanks for the recipe. And your photos are just gorgeous!
Katherine @ Dexter & Dinah
I had no idea this was a thing either! What a great twist on my weekday staple – I know what I’m having tomorrow morning.
Courtney
Can I use steel cut oats instead of old fashion?
joythebaker
steel cut oats have a different texture and a different cooking time. i don’t think they’re the best substitute.
Jen
How did I miss this one?? I can’t wait to try it…it sounds like the best mix of eating cookies and milk for breakfast, or actually being sensible and eating a bowl of oatmeal. Thanks!
Emily
I have this baking in the oven at this moment. I can not wait to try it! I HATE “normal” oatmeal. I Love the idea of it…like on a cold morning having a warm bowl of oatmeal to stick to your bones….but…rarely can get a whole bowl down because I’m gagging half way thru it. I think that this will be my fix for that problem!! Thank you so much!!
Secret Recipes Exposed
This looks a nice recipe my children might help and like this one! :)
Darree Diane Hyun
I love you.
the husband
My wife made this last night. This morning I had to call her to ask what I should do with the brick of oatmeal sitting on the stove. Little did I know it would be the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time!
Thank you!
n82
This was just a hilarious comment! :)
Amanda
This is the best idea ever! I get excited about it the night before I’m going to have it for breakfast and that makes it much easier to get up early in the morning. It would be great with some warm applesauce. I found that the 9 inch pan seemed huge, though – it made a super-thin layer, which I thought would take away from the chewiness. I put it in a 6 inch pan which worked well.
Annie
This oatmeal made getting out of bed in the morning a lot easier all last week! I reduced the sugar a bit and, after the first morning, heated my milk before pouring it on top. Pecans were the perfect complement.
michelle
Ooooh…. I LOVE baked oatmeal! Haven’t made it in years though; thanks for the reminder!! :)
Naama
Having it with yogurt right now. Awesome!
joythebaker
high five!
Karen
Just made this recipe this morning. YUM!!
Niamh
Joy, I made this last night and it was ah-may-zing. The thoughts of eating it for breakfast actually got me out of bed this morning! I was feeling autumnal so I topped it with a warm blackberry coulis. I’ve just devoured another warm bowlful, thanks for the great recipe!
Joanne
I have never liked oatmeal for breakfast but always liked granola and oatmeal cookies. So when I saw a recipe for Baked Oatmeal I was sure I would love it and I made this and I love it. So happy to finally after all these years have a good healthy hearty breakfast that will take me until lunch. I add what ever frozen berries I have after cooking and it is so yummy. Thanks for the great recipe.
Betsy Gluten Free
Wow. That’s my idea of a perfect breakfast. I tend to get “over-egged” on breakfast items so this will be a great gluten-free alternative, as long as I use GF oats. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
Oh, thank you, this looks amazing! I’ve recently booked a recipe for pumpkin butter with granola over at Smitten Kitchen, and now I’ve bookmarked this one, and I’m going to combine them into one beautiful amazing breakfast…baked oatmeal, with pumpkin butter, and I will try putting some yogurt on there too.
Here’s the pumpkin butter if anyone else is interested: http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/10/pumpkin-butter-and-pepita-granola/
Maryellen
This is my new morning Joy. Tossed in two handfuls of frozen mixed berries from Costco berfore baking and served warm with a scoop of plain yogurt and was so happpy. Thanks Joy……you’re the best.
Jessica
I want to love oatmeal, but don’t do well with the goopy variety. This might be the solution. And perfect timing as my mom just gave me a ton of raspberries from her backyard.
And I love your hardanger table runner! I grew up in a super Scandanavian little town in Minnesota, so all of my mom’s friends do this type of needlework. I haven’t made anything in several years, but you’ve just motivated me to start up a new project. :)
joythebaker
really?
i think this type of needlework is totally badass!
i love it! my mom gave me a bunch of runners and place settings from my family. they’re really nice to have. now i just need to get her to teach me how to do this sort of art myself.
Natasha
Once I get some regular oats I am going to try this. It looks so good and I bet it would be super delicious with apples!
Sues
Oh wow! This looks so much better than regular oatmeal to me!! :)
Sandy
Made it this morning – yummy! I usually make steel cut oatmeal mixed with a whole grain cereal from Red River – but this is a delicious change. Thank you for giving me tasty things to try, and making me smile.
Kacey Rai
Hiya,
So far I have only tried your caramel popcorn recipe and well suffice to say it didn’t go so well with a new scar decorating my hand. I’m hoping that things go better this time. Once i saw this recipe i knew i had to try it! I’ve been looking for inspiration with regards to breakfasts, and now as i write this i can smell the wonderful scent of cinnamon and oats wafting through the kitchen. Ah, the scent of heaven!
Thanks for an awesome blog, i’m a great fan…gone to check on the oatmeal =D
Katie@Cozydelicious
My mother-in-law makes baked oatmeal every year for Easter brunch. She lets it sit overnight and soak, though, before baking. It’s so yummy! But I love the pistachios here – I’ll have to tell her about those!
Bonnie@WhatAboutPie
Wow, I have never heard of baked oatmeal. That really does sound good! I eat oatmeal a lot and I always cook it in the microwave. Next time I’m in the mood for something different I will keep this in mind. Thanks for this idea!
cathy b. @ brightbakes.com
I make this. My Mom makes this. It is awesome. Try it with grated apples yet, and a handful of raisins! I have converted even ardent oatmeal-haters with this stuff! Yeah, that good.
cathy b.
newlywed
Mmm, can’t wait to try this! I love granola bars and well, sort of fantasize about making them.
Mary Beth
I have recently discovered slow cooker oatmeal and it is fabulous for busy school-day mornings:
http://www.food52.com/recipes/3062_overnight_steelcut_oats_with_almond_butter_honey
Can’t wait to try your version, Joy- thanks for the inspiration!
Sally
Alternately, you could just eat an oatmeal cookie for breakfast!
Teagan
Hollyy this stuff is magic in a bowl! I’ve never heard of baked oatmeal until now, so I figured I’d give it a try. So easy to make, and so incredibly delicious! Unfortunately I didn’t have any raspberries or pistachios, so I increased the cinnamon and threw in some raisins. Serves 4? I thinking it’s more like Serves 1 ;)
Thanks for posting this :) It’s my new favorite breakfast (if I can fight off the other residents of the house)
Jenny
That looks delicious and I love the pictures! There are just millions of purposes for oatmeal, I love it!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
I’ve seen a few people baking their oatmeal but I’ve yet to do it myself. This looks like a goodie. There’s a pumpkin variety out there that looks good too.
Jody in Japan
My university cafeteria used to serve baked oatmeal and I’ve never been able to reproduce their recipe. I’m going to try this asap. But instead of cold milk, I’m going to do just what the dinning hall on UCI did…. hot cinnamon milk (very mexican)! Amazing!!!!! Trust me. Try it and you will never eat oatmeal the regular way again.
Amanda@EasyPeasyOrganic
Your blog is fabulous!! Have just linked you, so hopefully my friends can find you too :)
Christyna
Awesome! This was dinner tonight, and it was so gooooooood :) Thanks, as always, for the idea. I am now a convert to baked oatmeal. I modified the recipe and went all coconut with it, e.g., instead of butter, I used coconut oil; instead of brown sugar, I used coconut sugar; and instead of milk, I used coconut milk (not the kind from a can, but the kind that you get in those pour boxes with the consistency of, e.g., soy milk). Surprisingly, there isn’t any strong coconut flavor like one might think. It was very subtle. I also cut up some dried black mission figs, and folded them in in place of the dried cranberries. Finally, I put some blanched slivered almonds on there instead of pistachios, and topped it off with some almond milk. I was going for a vegan version, but didn’t know how to substitute for the egg in this situation. Any ideas?
Ron Merlin
Joy, great recipe. Have you tried baking Irish Oatmeal? I love this stuff.
Thought I’d share a recipe of mine, also baked, but using the aforementioned.
Ron Merlin
http://themerlinmenu.blogspot.com/2009/03/baked-raisin-nutmeg-brown-sugar-irish.html
Shari
I discovered baked oatmeal about a year ago, and I haven’t been the same since. I am absolutely addicted to the stuff! I bake it once a week, and it’s there in the fridge waiting for me every morning to pour milk on and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Perfection. I don’t add any fruit to mine, but the recipe I use also calls for a little bit of maple syrup. Seriously, I have no idea how I lived before I knew about baked oatmeal.
Heather
Thankyou for posting this, seriously. You just saved a huge container of old fashioned oats in my kitchen from going bad. (I bought them to make cookies, but… the container, it’s seriously huge.) I never eat oatmeal because of the consistency but I can’t wait to try this!!
Holly
I only found out about baked oatmeal a couple of years ago – we LOVE it! It is so easy to make and everyone can customize their own bowl. I always feel a little like I’m eating a big oatmeal cookie/cake – just like you described. I love your table runner in the photos!
Lori
I’m typically not an oatmeal person, but this sounds delicious!!
Hilary
Do you think you could use steel cut oats or is this a rolled oats only recipe?
Nicole @ The Dirty Oven
I had no clue you could do this with good old oats… it is like an oatey cake for breakfast. Did it taste kind of like cereal? Glad you smell nice :) Have a great weekend.
Tamara
I am going to have to try this! I really like granola bars as a snack; however, the food industry is really serious about incorporating High Fructose Corn Syrup like “EVERYWHERE” now and it just causes my arthritis to nearly make me feel like I am crippled for several days after consumption. Now I can make my own! Thanks!
Carly
If you happen to see this, Tamara, here’s a great homemade granola bar recipe. I’m totally addicted to them. http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2009/01/homemade-chewy-granola-bars-and.html
Mandy
Okay, so I just wanted to let you know that I love this site. So happy that today is Friday. Today is a great day for wine and this baked oatmeal goodness for dinner. I am going to top it with strawberries and blueberries though since it is all that I have on hand and really I don’t plan on leaving the house tonight. Oatmeal is the best… and not just for breakfast! ^__~
Samantha
agreed!!! I am making this right now, its in the oven! im so excited :)
Ethan
I’d say you’re kinda classy too :)
bethh
mmmm looks yummy. Did you know skillet granola is A Thing as well? I found out about it here (not my blog) http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2010/08/27/quick-skillet-granola/ and have made it twice already. SUPER yum.
Angela (Diary of a Deaf Girl)
Who would have thought?! I’m not a big fan of raspberries, but I’m thinking some toasted pecans and a few sliced bananas would be delish!
Jen
This is going to become my staple breakfast for fall. It had never even occurred to me to bake my oatmeal. Thanks so much for the idea!
Gen
It looks delicious, and perfect for my breakfast! I already mentioned it, but I’ll say it again, I love your plate!
Jennifer H.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add – definitely store the leftovers in the fridge! I didn’t once, and it got funky fast!!
Jennifer H.
I love baked oatmeal!! We’ve been making it for a few years, and can’t get enough of it! Do yourself a favor this fall…add cinnamon to the actual oatmeal and then while it’s baking cook up chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon and a little butter until they’re just soft. Top the oatmeal with the apples and just try not to fall on the floor! It’s like eating apple cobbler for breakfast. Seriously.
katie (loves food)
oooh goodness, my mouth is watering!
oatmeal is the best!
Alice
No, actually, I didn’t know that baked oatmeal is a thing! I recently discovered baked French toast and baked pancakes though, and they have pretty much changed my life. I’m a big oatmeal fan, so I have high hopes for this one too. I have a feeling mine will involve cinnamon and dried blueberries and almonds. And/or possibly my beloved TJ’s sunflower seed butter. *droooooool*
Caroline @ A Cozy Kitchen
I’m laying in bed right now and thinking I will only get up if I can have this for breakfast :) Thanks for the great idea!
notyet100
wow,..
Bridget
I’ve always thought of putting a Baked Oatmeal recipe on my “to try list”, but I wanted to know more about the consistency and see more pictures. Your explanations were enough to convince me to add it to the list.
Erin
Oh Joy… I *literally* printed out the Allrecipes.com recipe you adapted this from yesterday with the intent to play around with it this weekend. The oatmeal gods have spoken and I can’t WAIT to make this!
Little Baker Bird
Hi Joy,
Question–does it keep well for a couple of days after making it? Even though I LOVE oatmeal, I just don’t think that I could eat a whole pie pan’s worth! Also, would you keep it in the fridge and just warm it up later?
Thanks!
joythebaker
i kept mine in the fridge and plan on heating it up for breakfast with warm milk for the next few days.
avril
Yup this is so yum looking! I often dream of baked oatmeal…even though I’ve never made it myself. Maybe your amazing looking recipe will kick me in the butt to do so! :-)
sterling style
Yum. I love the comfort of a hot bowl of oatmeal! This looks delicious!
Andrea
I’ve been eating baked oatmeal since I was 4 or 5 years old, any my favorite way is with chocolate chips, eating it fresh out of the oven. It’s like eating a big warm cookie… and to think it’s healthy!
Thanks Joy!
joythebaker
chocolate chips!? good grief! get me on that!
Emalee
I love baked oatmeal! I like to leave out some of the sugar and then eat it with some vanilla (Greek) yogurt and pure maple syrup. It’s amazing! And baked oatmeal is versatile you can put anything in it!
Catherine
Joy,
Do you think I could use steel-cut oats in this recipe? Thanks
joythebaker
Steel-cut oatmeal would probably require different amounts of liquid and different cooking times. I don’t think it’s an straight substitute.
Jennifer Jo
Here’s a recipe for steel-cut baked oatmeal. http://bit.ly/9BNlRO
Bobbie
I love baked oatmeal. One of my favorite things. I always put blueberries in mine. Now I have something new to try.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
I am with you – baked oatmeal. Sometimes I get stuck in the tried and true and just live there! I like steel cut oats, I wonder if this would work with these. They are a bit longer cooking. Now I have ideas. Thanks.
The Boob Nazi
This looks so good on a cold morning here in the northwest, especially when I’m eating cold cereal.
Kim F.
I love baked oatmeal. My favorite is a Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal and sometimes I add Chocolate Chips:). Thanks for sharing all your recipes, love you site!
Julie S.
I just made baked oatmeal for the first time a few weeks ago, so I decided to try yours out this morning. I provided me the excuse not to make pancakes again (which I was craving – again!). Once again I’m stuck without any sort of dried fruit (much less pistachios) in the house. So I added chocolate and peanut butter chips. Mmmm – I esp love the peanut butter chips as I love the oatmeal/pb combo. Thanks Joy, I’m enjoying a bowl right now!
joythebaker
sounds so delicious!
julie @ rosy + tart
That looks absolutely heavenly. I really need to stop reading your blog before I eat breakfast….
Amber
I also JUST found out about baked oatmeal. I have been doing more whole grains and such for my family and one of the many recipes I found was to bake your oatmeal. Talk about ease! You can also freeze it which is great for quick breakfasts before my kids go to school. I have yet to make it, but plan to once the boys are napping!
Amy
Joy, I LOVE baked oatmeal.. I had no idea it existed until I was on a mission trip…to the Philippines!! I had it there and came home and searched until I found a recipe.. I love it with fruit on top.. AND pecans <3 . So delish.. it is great as left overs too.. but I have to beat my hubby to it!!
Chris
Please ‘google’ Baked Blueberry Oatmeal…..I made an 8×8 pan of it, made some blueberry sauce to pour on each serving, and continued to eat the stuff all day long! Don’t say you haven’t been warned! (Better than the Baked Apple Oatmeal I’ve been baking for years!!!) I live in Amish country and baked oatmeal is well known around here!
Esther
We make baked oatmeal all the time. My favorite way is to put sliced apples on the bottom then bake it!
Right now we are putting together a whole cook book just for oats! So come back soon and visit us to see the finished product!
Lauren
I love baked oatmeal! I’m posting my recipe for pumpkin & caramelized banana baked oatmeal next week as a warm welcome to fall :).
Michelle
Oh Lauren, can’t wait….
Julie
I’ve made this a lot before – you can add in blueberries before you bake it. You can also serve it with anything that you’d serve with pancakes – syrup and peaches are the cross country team’s favorite!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
I honestly much prefer the consistency of real oatmeal. Something about the creaminess and the ability to cup my hands around a warm bowl of the stuff is comforting.
Meg H.
Sounds perfect for a fall Saturday morning before lots of soccer games. I’m going to try it out on my daughters this weekend.
Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon
Love the idea of adding pistachios…I’m so used to added toasted walnuts to my breakfast bowls, it never occurred to me to get a little crazy with pistachios!
PS–Have you ever checked out the cookbook “Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar?” A-Mazing! I made a batch of their Trail Mix Oatmeal Bars this week, which reminds me of your baked oatmeal recipe (sans the egg and butter of course).
Happy Friday :)
joythebaker
i have never heard of this cookbook but the title makes me giggle.
MrsDragon
Oooh, love this idea. How long will it keep? I’m thinking this is something you could bake on the weekend and have breakfast all week–oatmeal without waiting! : )
Katrina
This looks like the perfect breakfast treat! Yum!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i love baked oatmeal! it’s one of those dishes that i make on weekends or for guests since you can make a ton of it if need be
Megan
My mom is crazy about baked oatmeal. She makes it in a big pie pan! It’s pretty dreamy.
Tabitha (From Single to Married)
that’s so cool – I had no idea that you could bake oatmeal like that!
Rebekah Randolph
Baked oatmeal is pretty big where I’m from (Lancaster PA). I grew up on it. :) Actually, I make it with 1/4 cup honey rather than 1/2 cup sugar– you should totally try it. And I add an egg! It definitely helps to keep it from crumbling. Lately I also soak the oats, milk, and melted butter overnight, then whisk in everything else in the morning. I think the texture’s nicer with soaked oats, plus they are easier on your stomach. Not quite so heavy. Enjoy your new discovery!
Jennifer Jo
Your baked oatmeal looks beautiful, Joy.
Have you heard of fruit-on-the-bottom baked oatmeal? I’ve been making the regular baked oatmeal for years, but the fruit-on-the-bottom was a revelation. It kicked the whole thing up a few notches. http://bit.ly/9iYltB
Andrea
OMG I had no idea. How come no one told me? I’m a freakin oatmeal fanatic, as anyone who reads my blog knows. I feel like this oatmeal would be really great with peanut butter. I’m pumped for this new addition to my life.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
I need some baked oatmeal in my life. I’ve never ever made it!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
i love baked oatmeal – good idea for toppings!
Jickie
That looks (and sounds) awwwwesssooommmme (sung in a high pitched voice)
My morning bagel just so does not cut it anymore.
Marisa
Love baked oatmeal so much! So versatile too, you should try yours with coconut flakes and chopped candied orange peel – heavenly.
Silvia
What a lovely breakfast! And how was your shopping?
LimeCake
Hey I like goupy oatmeal! Is that a crime? But I’d devour this baked goodness with ice cream or yogurt in a heartbeat!
Joe @ Eden Kitchen
Whoa! I certainly had no idea there was such a thing – I’m a total granola fiend, and oatmeal cookies are my favourite cookie. Suffice to say, I am an oatmeal nut. Last weekend I even made oatmeal walnut crackers! I seriously can’t wait to try this new way of oatmeal. Thanks :)
Wei-Wei
Mmmmmmm. I noticed that in your directions you said “until lightly firm to the touch and no giggle remains.” Made my day. (Hahahahahha. The baked oatmeal was giggling!)
joythebaker
oh lordy. i’m a mess. thanks!