Baked Oatmeal with Berries and Nuts

This classic baked oatmeal with berries and nuts is a delicious, hearty, and easy-to-prepare breakfast perfect for meal prep or a weekend brunch.

Ingredients

• Dry ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or steel-cut)
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)
• Wet ingredients
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter or coconut oil
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Berries
  • 1 1/2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen) 

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and half of the chopped nuts.
3. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
4. Mix: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Add berries: Gently fold in most of the berries, reserving a handful for the topping.
6. Transfer and top: Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining berries and nuts over the top.
7. Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. The oatmeal will still be soft when finished.
8. Cool and serve: Let the baked oatmeal cool for about 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy it warm, with an extra drizzle of maple syrup if desired. 

Tips for perfection

• Overnight prep: You can prepare the oatmeal the night before and refrigerate it. The next morning, simply bake it according to the instructions.
• Nut substitution: For a nut-free version, omit the nuts or substitute them with seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Serving suggestions: Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt, an extra splash of milk, or additional fresh berries.
• Vegan option: To make this recipe vegan, use a plant-based milk and substitute the eggs with a flax egg or 1/4 cup of applesauce. 

What other fruits or flavorings could be added?

There are many ways to customize baked oatmeal by swapping in different fruits, spices, and other flavorings. You can mix and match ingredients to create new flavor combinations for a fresh take on the classic dish. 

Fruit variations

• Apple Cinnamon: Replace the mixed berries with 1 1/2 cups of chopped apple and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg.
• Peach: Use 1 1/2 cups of fresh or canned diced peaches instead of berries. A sprinkle of nutmeg or cardamom would also complement the peaches nicely.
• Banana: Replace the berries with 1–2 ripe bananas, either sliced and folded in or mashed and added with the wet ingredients. You can top it with extra banana slices after baking.
• Dried fruit: For a chewy texture, add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates. Reduce the maple syrup slightly since dried fruit adds extra sweetness.
• Tropical: Use chopped mango, pineapple, and shredded coconut flakes for a tropical twist. 

Sweet and spiced combinations

• Pumpkin Spice: Replace the berries with 1/2 cup of pumpkin purée and add 1–2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Top with pecans for a satisfying crunch.
• Carrot Cake: For a warm, spiced flavor, add 1/2 cup of shredded carrots, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, and 1/4 cup of golden raisins.
• Lemon Poppy Seed: Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1–2 teaspoons of poppy seeds. Blueberries make an excellent fruit to add to this version.
• Chocolate: Reduce the butter and maple syrup slightly and add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a rich dessert-like flavor. 

Creamy or nutty additions

• Peanut Butter: Add 1/2 cup of your favorite peanut butter to the wet ingredients. You can also mix in some chocolate chips for a “Peanut Butter and Jam” flavor.
• Coconut: Stir in 1/4 cup of shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture. Lightly toasting the coconut first adds a more prominent flavor.
• Greek Yogurt: Swapping some of the milk for plain Greek yogurt can make the texture creamier and richer.
• Nutty flavors: Use almond or cashew milk for a subtly nutty flavor that complements the oats and spices. 

Sugar-Free sweetener for Baked Oatmeal

For a sugar-free baked oatmeal, you can use natural, zero-calorie sweeteners or incorporate ingredients that add natural sweetness and moisture without refined sugar. 

Natural zero-calorie sweeteners

These options are derived from plants and do not contain calories or raise blood sugar levels. They are often sold in granulated or liquid forms. 

• Monk Fruit: This sweetener is extracted from a melon and is significantly sweeter than sugar. When baking, it is typically blended with erythritol to balance the sweetness and add bulk. Many brands, like Lakanto, offer a 1:1 sugar substitute.
• Stevia: Derived from the leaves of the stevia plant, this is a very concentrated, zero-calorie sweetener. For baked goods, it’s best to use a stevia baking blend or add a bulking agent like applesauce, bananas, or yogurt to compensate for the lost volume and moisture that sugar provides.
• Erythritol: A sugar alcohol naturally found in fruits, erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar and has zero calories. It works well for baking but can sometimes result in a slightly drier or crumblier texture, so you may need to add extra moisture. 

Whole-food ingredients for natural sweetness

These ingredients add sweetness, flavor, and moisture without the need for processed sweeteners.

• Ripe Bananas: For a banana-nut version of the baked oatmeal, replace the maple syrup with 1 to 2 very ripe, mashed bananas. This adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: This ingredient serves a dual purpose: it adds natural sweetness and acts as a binder, replacing some of the liquid or oil in the original recipe.
• Fruit Purées: Purées made from sweet fruits like dates, figs, or roasted pumpkin can provide a rich, sweet flavor and a dense, moist texture.
• Dried Fruit: Adding unsweetened dried fruit like raisins, dates, or cranberries will provide concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture. 

Combination approach

For the best results, you can combine a zero-calorie sweetener with a whole-food ingredient. For example, use a granulated erythritol/monk fruit blend to match the 1/4 cup of maple syrup and add 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce to help with moisture. 

Recipe modification for a sugar-free baked oatmeal

• Replace: 1/4 cup maple syrup
• With: 1/4 cup granulated monk fruit/erythritol blend + 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. 

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