Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

We always love starting our day with a warm, hearty breakfast, like strawberry baked oatmeal and cinnamon baked oatmeal, but Chocolate Baked Oatmeal is one of our all-time favorites!

Unlike traditional stovetop oatmeal or microwave oats, the oats are baked, giving them a cake-like texture that is really delicious.

While this recipe may look and taste like cake, you’ll be happy to know it’s made with wholesome ingredients, including old-fashioned rolled oats, almond milk, chia seeds, banana, and cocoa powder.

Enjoy chocolate baked oatmeal straight from the oven with a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet and satisfying breakfast. Or kick up the protein with a dollop of peanut butter or yogurt. This baked oatmeal is easy to customize and make it your own.

Why You'll Love Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

If you're a fan of sweet breakfasts, this chocolate baked oatmeal needs to be part of your weekly rotation. Here’s why:

• Perfect for meal prep: Easily make this recipe ahead of time to simplify your morning routine. Just keep the recipe in the fridge or freezer for quick breakfasts all week.
• Satisfies dessert cravings: If you’re looking for a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe will do it. It’s rich and indulgent, but it’s full of fiber and healthy fats.
• Done in one bowl: Everything comes together in one bowl, making cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients & Substitutions

To make this chocolate baked oatmeal recipe, here is what you need:

• Almond milk: Provides a creamy base for the oatmeal. We prefer to use unsweetened almond milk, but you can use sweetened or other milk like dairy milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
• Banana: Use an extra ripe (very spotty) banana for natural sweetness and moisture in the oatmeal. If your bananas aren’t ripe, use applesauce or mashed sweet potato.
• Egg: Helps bind the oatmeal ingredients together and gives the oatmeal a slight lift. You can also use extra mashed bananas if you don’t have any eggs on hand.
• Cocoa powder: We add unsweetened cocoa powder, but you can use Dutch-process cocoa powder for a more intense taste or carob powder for a caffeine-free alternative.

• Maple syrup: Make sure it’s 100% pure maple syrup for the best taste and nutrient profile. you can also use honey or agave syrup.
• Peanut butter: We love the combination of creamy peanut butter and chocolate, but almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter are great alternatives. Skip the nut butter if you have an allergy or swap in melted coconut oil.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the other ingredients in this chocolate baked oatmeal recipe. We suggest using pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide a hearty, chewy texture. You can use quick oats, but the result will be much softer and less bar-like. We don’t suggest steel-cut oats for baking since they will remain raw. Make sure the oats are certified gluten-free if needed.

• Chia seeds: Add extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. If you don’t have chia seeds, replace them with ground flaxseeds instead.
• Chocolate chips: Provide little bursts of chocolatey goodness in each bite. For a healthier alternative, opt for cacao nibs or carob chips.
• Baking powder: Helps the oatmeal rise, creating a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.

How To Make Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

These one-bowl baked chocolate oats are quick and easy to make.

1. Mash The Bananas

If your bananas are on the verge of being ripe, add them to a paper bag with an ethylene-producing fruit like an apple. Roll the bag closed and leave them to ripen overnight (or for as long as you can). This speeds up the ripening process.

Once they are spotty, you can proceed with this recipe! Mash the banana thoroughly before adding any of the other ingredients.

2. Combine The Batter

Add the rest of the wet ingredients plus the cocoa powder to the bananas. Make sure the mixture is well combined. Incorporate the other dry ingredients and add-ins. You can add other mix-ins at this point as well, such as chopped nuts, cacao nibs, or dried fruits.

3. Bake The Oatmeal

For the best results, use an 8x8-inch baking pan and grease it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Bake the oatmeal until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cool for at least 10-15 minutes.

Storage & Reheating

Maximize the flavors of your leftover chocolate baked oatmeal by following these storage and reheating tips:

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Microwave individual portions for about 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. You can also heat them up in the oven at 350F for 5-10 minutes.
• Prep ahead: To save more time, assemble the oatmeal mixture the night before, cover, and refrigerate it. When you wake up, just pop it in the oven.

Recipe Ideas and Variations

There are so many ways to customize this recipe and make it yours.

• Blend all the ingredients: If you prefer a smoother texture, blend all of the ingredients before baking. This blended version of baked oatmeal feels even more cake-like. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top before baking. This version also works great in individual ramekins.
• Add fruit: This recipe is great with more fruit. We love adding strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or pears.
• Chopped nuts: Add some crunch with chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or peanuts.
• Dark chocolate: Swap in dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips for a rich dark chocolate version of these chocolate oats.
• Protein powder: Add some vanilla, plain, or chocolate protein powder to the oatmeal if you want to add extra protein. If you use chocolate protein powder, you may not need as much cocoa powder.

Fun Ideas For Leftover Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

One of our favorite ways to repurpose leftover chocolate baked oatmeal is by turning it into breakfast parfaits! Just layer pieces of the baked oatmeal with yogurt and fresh fruit in a mason jar, then drizzle it with honey or maple syrup. This is also a great option for a portable meal to take to work during busy weeks!

Ingredient Spotlight: Rolled Oats

Rolled oats are a truly impressive ingredient that everyone can benefit from. They provide your body with complex carbs that keep you full, stabilize blood sugar levels, and provide energy for the whole day!

Oats also contain a gut-friendly fiber, called beta-glucan, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy heart. So, if you’re looking for a delicious way to stay fit, we suggest incorporating more slices of chocolate baked oatmeal into your diet!

Here are some other favorite ways to add rolled oats to your diet.

• Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
• Baked Oatmeal Muffins
• Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars