Homemade Baked Oatmeal No Banana Added Recipe
If you’re looking for a baked oatmeal no banana option that’s filling, cozy, and actually loved by kids, this one has become a staple in our home.
This baked oatmeal recipe has been part of our rhythm for years because it’s made with simple pantry ingredients, stretches for several days, and works beautifully for busy mornings when everyone needs a warm start. It’s one of those easy breakfast recipe ideas that feels comforting but still counts as a nutritious breakfast for the whole family.
More simple and easy recipes to try!
This recipe uses oats as the main ingredient, creating a hearty dish made with whole grains and wholesome ingredients. Such a delicious breakfast!
Unlike many trendy versions floating around as a viral recipe, this one skips the banana entirely, making it ideal if you’re avoiding banana flavor or texture (or if you just want a break from every banana recipe out there). This baked oats recipe is so easy.
Why We Love This Baked Oatmeal
The best part of baked oatmeal is how practical it is. It’s a quick breakfast that can be made ahead for meal prepping, sliced into individual servings, and reheated easily. With just a handful of healthy ingredients, you get something warm, filling, and lightly sweet without relying on sugary cereals.
This version has a soft, cake-like texture with a fluffy texture inside and a lightly golden brown top when baked properly. It’s comforting, nourishing, and endlessly adaptable.
Easy to Make Ahead
I usually prepare this on a Friday night so it carries us through the weekend and into Monday. Once baked, it keeps well for 3-4 days in the fridge.
For storage, I cover the pan with plastic wrap or move slices into an airtight container. It reheats great in the microwave or oven, which is a lifesaver during busy mornings as a mom.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This baked oatmeal no banana recipe relies on oats and pantry staples. You can use rolled oats for the classic texture, or swap in quick oats or quick cooking oats if that’s what you have. Avoid steel-cut oats unless they’re partially cooked, as they have a coarse texture and need more liquid and time. (Yes, steel cut oats are wonderful, just not ideal here without adjustments.)
- Eggs
- Butter
- Applesauce
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Milk
- Vanilla
- Oats
- Optional mix-ins, like blueberries, chocolate chips, or apples.
For liquid, you can use regular milk, dairy milk, or non-dairy options like unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. I’ve tested all of them, and each works well depending on what you have on hand.
Sweetness comes from applesauce, but you can use brown sugar, maple syrup, or another liquid sweetener. It’s all balanced with vanilla extract. For moisture and binding, I use unsweetened applesauce, though greek yogurt also works.
If you’re egg-free, a flax egg is an easy swap.
Tips on Adding Eggs:
Another really nice thing about this meal that is can be a one bowl mix! Besides melting the butter, you use one bowl to mix all ingredients.
This time I actually used cinnamon applesauce that I had canned, so I didn’t add any extra cinnamon.
This recipe is so versatile! I like to use 6 eggs to add extra protein but you can use only 4 if you want to save eggs for another recipe.
More Simple Breakfast Recipes:
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is truly a one-bowl recipe, which makes cleanup easy.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 °F, and grease a prepared baking dish.
- Melt the stick of butter either in microwave or on stovetop.
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Then add in applesauce, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix until well incorporated.
- Add in melted butter and milk to the egg mixture and stir well.
- Add in the oats until it’s all combined and have a smooth mixture.
- Pour into baking dish and smooth it out. You an extra toppings if you’d like.
- Put in the oven and baking 45-55 minutes, or until fully set and butter knife comes out clean from the middle.
- Cut into squares and serve warm with maple syrup!
The active prep takes about 10-15 minutes, making it doable even on a weeknight.
Another easy make-ahead breakfast is this Overnight French Toast Casserole
Mix-Ins & Different Flavors
This recipe is a great base recipe for experimenting with different flavors and favorite toppings. You can add:
- Chocolate chips
- Berries: fresh or frozen blueberrries or fresh raspberries
- Apple chunks or other fresh fruit
- Cocoa powder
- A spoonful of peanut butter
- Almond butter
- Sunflower seed butter
- A scoop of protein powder works well too.
You can even blend the oats into oat flour using a food processor or high speed blender for a smoother, creamy texture and smooth batter.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm with maple syrup, yogurt, or extra fruit. It pairs well with milk and keeps everyone full until lunch. For kids, slicing into squares makes easy grab-and-go individual servings.
If you want to get fancy, you can bake portions in smaller ramekins for a single serve option or even reheat slices in the air fryer for crisp edges.
How To Store, Freeze, And Reheat Homemade Baked Oatmeal No Banana Recipe:
I store our baked oatmeal in the refrigerator with foil over the baking dish if I know we are going to eat it in the next few days. It can be stored like this for up to 3-4 days.
To re-heat, you can microwave portions for 40 seconds or put the whole baking dish in the oven for 15 minutes. If you want to store for longer, cut it up into portions and freeze in ziplock freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Enjoy This Homemade Baked Oatmeal No Banana Recipe
The versatility of this recipe will have you making it over and over again, and your kids won’t even know! You can use the base recipe and then mix-in blueberries or chopped apples or even chocolate chips. Dried fruit works great too! You can really make this your own, and add in your family’s favorite mix-in. You can also just leave it plain and not add a mix-in. Your choice!
We serve our baked oatmeal with maple syrup over the top, and usually a glass of milk and a fruit on the side. It really makes a full breakfast.
From one home cook to another, I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Homemade Baked Oatmeal No Banana Added Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 stick butter
- 1.5 cups applesauce
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 6 cups quick oats
- 1.5 cups blueberries OR chocolate chips OR apples, etc optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 °F, and grease a prepared baking dish.
- Melt the stick of butter either in microwave or on stovetop.
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Then add in applesauce, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix it until well incorporated.
- Add in melted butter and milk to the egg mixture and stir well.
- Add in the oats until it's all combined and you have a smooth mixture.You can then add in your optional mix-in. (I choose bluebberries but we also like chocolate chips and chopped apples. This is optional.)
- Pour into baking dish and smooth it out. You an extra toppings if you'd like.
- Put in the oven and baking 45-55 minutes, or until fully set and butter knife comes out clean from the middle.
- Cut into squares and serve warm with maple syrup!
Notes
Pin it for later…
