Berry-Chia Baked Oatmeal

Berry-Chia Baked Oatmeal is a simple, delicious, and completely customizable breakfast that can be enjoyed hot, cold, and even, on-the-go!

Hard to admit, but we were late jumping aboard that baked oatmeal train. I mean, it's oatmeal, but baked. What's so special...right? WRONG! After hearing more and more about these oven-toasted oats, we finally decided to give them a try for ourselves and now, we. are. HOOKED! Berry-Chia Baked Oatmeal is the best of all worlds. You've got tender, fluffy oats, juicy berries bursting with flavor, and a golden, perfectly crisp top to finish it off. It's soft like bread pudding yet firm enough you can eat it by the slice. It's really hard to find anything not to love.

What You'll Need

Oats
Old-fashioned, rolled oats work best for baked oatmeal. Quick-cook oats can substituted, however there will be a slight difference in texture.

Milk (or water!)
Dairy and plant based milks work for baked oatmeal. Don't have either? Water can work in a pinch. We have made baked oats with a variety of milks with perfect results every time.

Berries
The world is your oyster when it comes to your fruity filling. We love the flavor and pops of color from a mixed blend but you can use any preferred mix or single berry. Fresh or frozen berries can be used, so use what you've got!

Bananas
This recipe is completely free of refined sugar thanks to mashed ripe bananas! They lend the perfect amount of sweetness and tenderness to the recipe.

Eggs
This recipe was actually first tested without any eggs (thanks to grocery shortages with the pandemic) but when we've got them, we like to use them. Eggs help the structure of baked oats and helps them set beautifully. You can omit eggs altogether by replacing each egg with a flax or chia egg; 1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon warm water for each egg needed. It's important to also decrease your milk to account for the extra liquid.

Chia Seeds
Chia seeds add fiber, essential nutrients, and also help bind the oatmeal together. You can swap with ground flax or leave out altogether if you don't have.

Oil
A little oil (or butter!) helps add moisture and tenderness to the bake. Swapping avocado oil for coconut or toasted walnut or almond oil can add a touch of slight flavor.

Simple Seasonings
This Berry Baked Oatmeal doesn't need much in the way of seasonings, so we keep it simple with a touch of cinnamon and salt to balance everything out. You can get creative with any of your favorites spices to liven things up.

How To Make

Step 1
To start, we want to mix together our wet ingredients together in a bowl.

Step 2
Next, we combine our dry ingredients, including rolled oats, spices, and seasonings.

Step 3
Now, it's time to combine our wet and dry ingredients together. It's important to mix well to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4
Now, it's time for our fruity add-ins! Fresh or frozen berries work perfectly - no need to defrost ahead of time.

Step 5
Now that everything is mixed together, it's time to pour into a baking dish. For ease, we recommend lightly greasing your pan beforehand.

For a visual pop, we like to add an extra berry topping just prior to baking.

Step 6
It's time to bake! Your oats are done when mixture is "set" and edges are lightly golden.

Make It Your Own

This is a base recipe to get you started, meaning, you can easily modify it to make it all your own. Don't have fresh berries on hand? Use frozen! Or swap them out entirely for apples, sliced peaches - even carrots! Want to add some holiday spice? Mix in cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Love some crunch? Toss in your favorite nuts or top your slice off with a healthy drizzle of melty peanut butter. The possibilities are endless with baked oatmeal and this dish will be a winner every single time. We can't wait to hear how you enjoy YOUR baked oats!

Looking for more tasty, one-pan breakfast options? Check out our recipe for Springtime Strata!