Blueberry Baked Oats
Serves 6
Gluten-free, peanut-free, nut-free option, soy-free
This recipe for Blueberry Baked Oats is a new twist on an old favorite!
Jazz up your oatmeal by mixing in all the things you would have put on top and baking it for a crispy-tender, cake-like breakfast treat.
Oats are one of the healthiest grains on earth because they're a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Studies show that this gluten-free grain has many health benefits that include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
This customizable approach is perfect for brunch or breakfast all week long. Swap out blueberries and lemon for chopped apples and cinnamon. Or try chocolate chips and peanut butter. In the fall, substitute canned pumpkin for applesauce and consider cranberries. Let your tummy do the talking! Use ramekins and make individual portions and bake fresh each morning. And aside from the taste, what's best is you can make this in one dish!
Ingredients
1 large, very ripe banana, peeled
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup nut butter (use tahini, canned pumpkin, or extra applesauce for nut-free)
2 tablespoons maple syrup, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
Lemon zest from one lemon
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
In a 9-inch square baking dish (or a similarly sized dish or use 4 to 6 ramekins), mash together the banana, applesauce, nut butter, syrup, vanilla, and lemon zest.
Sprinkle the oats on top then sprinkle the nuts, baking powder, and salt on top of them. Stir to combine everything well. The mixture should be wet. If it feels too stiff, mix in a few tablespoons of water, plant-based milk, or more applesauce.
Gently stir in the blueberries. Bake for about 22 to 25 minutes until the oatmeal is pulling away from the edge of the dish slightly and is light brown around the edges. It should be a little soft in the center, not dried out like a cake.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite plant-based milk on top if you like.
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