Enjoy traditional baked oats with this banana-free recipe, which promises all the flavor and texture without the banana. Perfectly moist and irresistibly flavorful, these baked oats without bananas are infused with cozy spices and sweetened with maple syrup for a wholesome breakfast or snack.
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Have you tried baked oats yet? They’re so easy to make and great for meal prep. I love whipping up a batch at the beginning of the week.
It’s kind of like having cake for breakfast, but cake you can feel good about made with wholesome ingredients like oats, almond milk, and apple sauce.
I love having a breakfast made ahead of time that I can look forward to. If you love sweet breakfasts as much as me, you’ll also love these birthday cake overnight oats, warm chia pudding, berry cheesecake overnight oats, or these 3-ingredient banana oat muffins. I can’t help myself, I love making a healthy breakfast feel indulgent at the same time!
Baked Oats Two Ways
The beauty of baked oats is that they’re super customizable! You can make blended oats, which produce a cake-like texture with a similar consistency to a sheet pan pancake. Or you can leave the oats whole for an easy baked oats recipe without the fuss. Either way, they’re absolutely delicious!
I’ve provided directions for both options in the recipe card below.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You don’t need much to make healthy baked oats. Here are the main ingredients you’ll need:
- Rolled Oats or Quick Oats: Either type of oats works well for this recipe depending on the process. Rolled oats, or old fashioned oats, will provide a slightly chewier texture and are best if you’re leaving them whole. If you’re going the blended route, you can use either rolled oats or quick oats. You can also use oat flour. I don’t recommend steel cut oats for this recipe. Use certified gluten-free oats as needed.
- Non-Dairy Milk: Opt for your favorite non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or oat milk. The choice of milk will affect the flavor and creaminess of the baked oats.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness to the baked oats. You can substitute with another liquid sweetener like agave syrup or honey if preferred.
- Apple Sauce: Provides moisture and natural sweetness to the baked oats without the need for banana.
- Baking Powder: Helps the baked oats rise and gives them a light, fluffy texture.
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
- Chocolate Chips or Berries: Choose between dairy-free chocolate chips for a decadent touch or fresh/frozen berries for a burst of fruity flavor. You can also combine both options or use nuts for added crunch.
How To Make Baked Oats Without Bananas
Here’s the step-by-step process for making this baked oats without banana recipe. Full recipe with measurements is available in the recipe card below.
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease either an 8×8 baking dish or individual ramekins.
Blended Option: In a high-speed blender, combine rolled oats, non-dairy milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, baking powder, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Blend until you have a smooth batter. Skip down to the mix-ins for the next step.
Whole Option: Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix well. Create a well in the center, then add the wet ingredients. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
Mix-ins: Gently fold chocolate chips or berries into the oatmeal mixture.
Baking: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or distribute evenly among individual ramekins. Optionally, sprinkle extra chocolate chips or berries on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes for the whole option or 25-30 minutes for the blended option, or until the top turns golden brown and the oats are set.
Note: Adjust baking time for ramekins based on size.
Cooling and Serving: Allow the baked oats to cool for a few minutes to set further. Customize with additional toppings like a drizzle of nut butter, a dollop of non-dairy yogurt, or extra berries as desired. Enjoy your delicious and wholesome breakfast or snack!
Flavor Variations
This basic baked oats recipe without bananas is really easy to customize and add different flavors to. Here are some of my favorite ways to change it up:
- Peanut butter baked oats: Add a half cup of creamy peanut butter to the oat mixture before baking. Additionally, drizzle some peanut butter over the baked oats for an extra layer of richness. Don’t like peanut butter? Try almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead.
- Tropical Twist: Mix in shredded coconut and diced pineapple or mango and opt for coconut milk. Top with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for added crunch and flavor.
- Spiced Apple Pie: Embrace the cozy flavors of fall by adding diced apples tossed in cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the oat mixture. Serve with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a delightful apple pie-inspired treat.
- Berry Blast: Double up on the fruity goodness by incorporating fresh berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, into the oat mixture before blending. This will give the baked oats a beautiful color and extra sweetness.
- Chocolate Baked Oats: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor and add chocolate chips into the oat mixture. Serve with a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Pumpkin Spice Delight: Embrace the flavors of the season by swapping the applesauce with pumpkin puree and adding a dash of pumpkin spice to the oat mixture. Top with a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers or a dollop of whipped coconut cream for a cozy autumn-inspired breakfast.
- Protein Baked Oats: To boost the protein content of the oat mixture, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
Tips
- Consistency Matters: Pay attention to the consistency of your oat mixture. It should be thick but pourable. Adjust the amount of non-dairy milk or oats as needed to achieve the desired texture.
- Mix-ins Distribution: Ensure even distribution of mix-ins such as chocolate chips or berries throughout the oat mixture. This ensures every bite is filled with deliciousness.
- Proper Greasing: Grease your baking dish or ramekins thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked oats.
FAQ’s
To make baked oats without banana, simply substitute the banana with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce or additional non-dairy milk. This helps to maintain moisture and sweetness in the baked oats without the banana flavor. Alternatively, you can omit the banana altogether and adjust the sweetness with other ingredients such as maple syrup or honey.
This could be caused by uneven heat or inaccurate oven temperature. An oven thermometer can help to make sure your oven is accurate. Using the wrong-sized baking dish can also cause problems. For faster baking, use a wide and shallow baking dish like an 8×8 pan.
Storage
Refrigeration: Allow any leftover baked oats to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing: Baked oats can also be frozen for longer storage. Once cooled, portion them into individual servings and place them in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: To enjoy leftover baked oats, simply reheat them in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
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Baked Oats without Banana
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats or quick oats
- 1 cup non-dairy milk I used almond milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup dairy-free chocolate chips or ½ cup of berries fresh or frozen, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 baking dish or individual ramekins.
Blended Option:
- To a high-speed blender, add the rolled oats, milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, baking powder, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Blend until smooth.2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup non-dairy milk, ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
Whole Option:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.2 cups rolled oats, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add non-dairy milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.1 cup non-dairy milk, ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add Mix-ins:
- Gently fold in chocolate chips or berries into the oat mixture.⅓ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Bake:
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or divide it among individual ramekins. Top with additional chocolate chips or berries if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes for the whole option, or 25-30 minutes for the blended option, or until the top is golden brown, and the oats are set. Note: ramekins will need less baking time depending on the size; adjust accordingly.
- Allow the baked oats to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will allow them to set further.
- Customize with additional toppings like a drizzle of nut butter, a dollop of non-dairy yogurt, or extra berries if desired. Enjoy for a delicious and wholesome breakfast or snack!
First time making baked oats and I’m hooked!! These were super tasty and easy to make. Thank you!
My pleasure, Megan! They are so good – I’m been making them every week! Enjoy 🙂