Say hello to the best baked oats recipe made without bananas—they're healthy, banana-free, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, moist, and gluten-free. Add fresh or frozen berries for a high-protein, high-fiber breakfast or snack!
Best baked oats recipe without banana
Baked oatmeal is my favorite breakfast... ever! I make them at least twice a week. Don't get me wrong; I adore mixing it up with vegan baked oatmeal, protein baked oats, banana oat breakfast cookies, and air fryer baked oats. But, here's the thing – they all have bananas. And let's be real, not everyone's a banana enthusiast. So, drumroll, please! Introducing the classic baked oatmeal recipe, and guess what? No bananas!
You are in for a treat with this baked oatmeal recipe. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, loaded with healthy ingredients, and super customizable. But, best of all, there are no bananas! Instead, we use applesauce to bind the oats together and make them moist and soft.
This banana-free baked oatmeal isn't just about flavor and moisture; it brings that satisfying crunch with its crispy edges. They are easy to make in one bowl, loaded with all my favorite berries, and everyone will love them. I also can't forget to mention that you do not need a blender for this recipe! Every other banana-free baked oats recipe wants you to blend them.
Baked oats are perfect for meal prep. I make a batch or two on a Sunday and save the rest for breakfast or as a snack for the week. Baked oatmeal is the perfect busy-person recipe for those who are always on the go! I cannot wait to hear what you think about this recipe!
Why you'll love this healthy recipe:
- Banana-Free: No bananas in this baked oats recipe.
- No Blender: Unlike other banana-free baked oats recipes, this one skips the blender, making your prep even more straightforward.
- Healthy: Made with simple, wholesome, nutritious ingredients; plus, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Refined Sugar-Free: No added refined sugar in these baked oats!
- Meal Prep: Easily meal prep this baked oats recipe for the week.
- Freezer-Friendly: Easily freeze leftover baked oatmeal for up to 3 months.
- Customizable: These baked oats are customizable with over 10 flavor options below.
- Make it Vegan: Easily make this recipe vegan by using homemade flax eggs.
- Try these microwave baked oats or banana oat breakfast cookies next!
Ingredients needed and substitutions:
You don't need any bananas for this healthy and delicious baked oats recipe! It only calls for nine simple and healthy ingredients. You'll need old-fashioned rolled oats, unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, oat or almond milk, and a few other ones. Here is a list of all the ingredients so you are prepared:
- Eggs: First, you need eggs to add protein and hold the baked oats together since we are not adding mashed bananas. If you're vegan, you can use 2 flax eggs instead.
- Milk: I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but feel free to use your favorite oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or regular milk.
- Maple Syrup: For a dash of natural sweetness. I love baking with maple syrup because it's refined-sugar-free and delicious.
- Applesauce: Opt for unsweetened apple sauce, but you can use sweetened if needed. Instead of bananas, we use applesauce to help hold the baked oats together and add some texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla extract goes a long way! I love the flavor so much.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The star of the show! You need 2 cups. If you are gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free certified rolled oats.
- Ground Cinnamon: For the best flavor! It's warm and delicious.
- Baking Powder: This helps the baked oats rise and make them super fluffy.
- Salt: A dash of salt for that sweet and salty combo.
- Mixi-Ins: Try fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries and ⅓ cup of walnuts, almonds, or pecans. I used walnuts; they are my favorite!
Kitchen tools needed
Here's a quick list of all the kitchen equipment you need to make these baked oats:
- Mixing bowl
- 9-inch square baking dish
- Spatula
- Measuring Tools: ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup.
How to make baked oats without bananas
Baked oatmeal without bananas is easy to make, and you don't need a blender! It's my favorite recipe for those two reasons. We enjoy these baked oats for breakfast, brunch, meal prep, and snacks. Here are step-by-step directions with pictures for any level cook:
Step 1:
First, preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9-inch square dish with cooking or avocado oil spray.
Step 2:
Then, mix the eggs, almond milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Step 3:
Mix the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nuts in another bowl.
Step 4:
After that, Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and hand-fold in the berries. Pour into the greased baking dish and top with extra nuts and berries.
Step 5:
Finally, bake the oats for 40 - 45 minutes until the top is golden and the center is done. For softer baked oatmeal, bake for closer to 35 minutes.
Let the baked oats cool for 5 minutes before serving with maple syrup, fresh berries, peanut butter, almond butter, and yogurt!
Expert recipe tips:
- Rolled Oats vs Quick Oats vs. Steel Cut: I highly recommend old-fashioned rolled oats for baked oats recipes that do not involve blending the oats. Quick oats will get soggy, and steel-cut oats will not cook and will be hard and crunchy.
- Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven is at 375°F; most baking recipes are baked at 350°F, but since there are no bananas in this recipe, we need a higher heat to achieve a soft inside and crispy outside.
- Using Frozen Berries: If you use frozen berries, do NOT allow them to defrost. Add frozen fruit directly into the oatmeal mixture. If you don't, the baked oats will be soggy.
- Don't Skip the Applesauce: Since this baked oats recipe has no banana in it, you need to add the applesauce as a substitute. You can use Greek yogurt or mashed pumpkin instead of applesauce if needed.
- Doubling the Recipe: To double or triple this recipe, just divide it into multiple baking pans or transfer it to a large 9x11-inch pan.
- Make it Vegan: Easily make this recipe vegan by using homemade flax eggs.
Customizations and flavor variations:
I love that this baked oats recipe is super customizable! Here are some ideas:
- Peanut Butter: If you are like me and love peanut butter, try adding 2 - 4 tablespoons of peanut butter to the mixture.
- Blueberry: Add 1 and ½ cups of fresh or frozen blueberries to the oatmeal mixture for the best healthy baked oatmeal.
- Strawberry: Add 1 and ½ cups of fresh or frozen sliced strawberries to the oatmeal mixture
- Mixed Berry Walnut: Add 1 and ½ cups of fresh or frozen mixed berries plus ⅓ cup of walnuts to the oatmeal mixture.
- Coconut: Add ⅓ cup of shredded coconut to the baked oats batter.
- Apple Cinnamon Crunch: Dice up 1 small apple and toss it into the mix. For a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped nuts on top before baking.
- PB&J: Swirl in peanut butter and dollops of your favorite berry jam for a delightful peanut butter and jelly fusion.
- Citrus Burst: Zest up your baked oats with the zest from one large orange.
What to serve with baked oatmeal
There are so many great options for what you can eat your baked oatmeal with. I love enjoying these baked oats with a spoonful of Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds, maple syrup, or peanut butter and fresh fruit. If you are looking for other recipes to serve, check these out:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make baked oats without banana?
Instead of banana, use apple sauce! It's the best alternative to ensure you still achieve a soft and moist texture.
Can I use quick oats for baked oatmeal?
I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats for best results since we are not blending this recipe. If you use quick oats, the texture will be softer, and if there is too much liquid, it can get mushy.
Can I use steel-cut oats for baked oatmeal?
Do not use steel-cut oats for baked oatmeal. The texture will be crunchy and hard.
Can I make these banana-free baked oats vegan?
Yes! You can substitute the two eggs with two flax eggs. The texture might be softer, but it should work! Check out this vegan baked oatmeal recipe too!
Can I add protein powder to baked oats?
Yes! If you want to increase the protein of these baked oats, I recommend adding 1 scoop of plain or vanilla protein powder and two extra tablespoons of milk.
Are baked oats without bananas as healthy?
Baked oats without bananas are healthy for many reasons; here are a few: they are (1) packed with whole grains, (2) high in fiber, (3) high in protein, (4) made without refined sugar, (5) gluten-free, and (6) filling.
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely! You can use frozen or fresh berries in this baked oats recipe. If using frozen berries, make sure that you add them directly to the mixture.
Can I make this baked oatmeal recipe into muffins?
Yes! You can easily make this baked oats recipe into baked oats muffin cups. Divide the batter evenly into 12 lined muffin cups and bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until done.
How to store, freeze, and reheat baked oats:
Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze leftover baked oats in an airtight ziplock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. When freezing, I recommend cutting the oatmeal into squares, as seen in the pictures, wrapping them in plastic wrap, and placing them in a large freezer bag.
Reheating: If you are reheating the entire pan, cover it with aluminum foil and reheat in the oven at 350ºF for about 15 - 20 minutes or until warm. If you are reheating an individual square, set the oven or toaster oven to 350ºF for 5 - 10 minutes, or reheat in the microwave for 1 minute (I recommend wrapping it in a damp paper towel to keep it moist).
If you love this recipe, try these oatmeal recipes next!
- Protein Overnight Oats
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Protein Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Baked Oats
- Egg White Oatmeal (6 ways!)
- Vegan Baked Oatmeal (10 ways!)
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
- Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Flourless Banana Oat Waffles
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Baked Oats without Banana
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (vanilla or plain) or oat milk
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 - 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon, based on your flavor preference
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups berries (fresh or frozen), I did a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries
- ⅓ cup walnuts, almonds, or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9-inch square dish with cooking or avocado oil spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix together the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nuts.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and hand fold in the berries. Pour into the greased baking dish and top with extra nuts and berries.
- Bake for 40 - 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is just done. For softer baked oatmeal bake closer to 35 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes before serving with your choice of maple syrup, fresh berries, peanut butter, almond butter, and/or yogurt!
Notes
Nutrition
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Martha L. says
Made a batch with frozen blueberries. They were great. These are for my husband and son's breakfast. Super easy!! I will try it with a nut butter on the next round.