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For a breakfast that’s easy, quick, and protein packed, give this healthy Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal a try! Made with rolled oats, ripe bananas, and a little maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
The banana bread of your dreams
Baked oatmeal, you have my heart… and my mom’s! We literally go nuts over the it in this house.
Maybe it’s the fact that you can prep it ahead of time and have a delicious, nutritious breakfast ready to go in the morning, but something about it just makes it my favorite.
This particular version takes traditional banana bread and turns it into something that’s nutritious, delicious, and perfect for breakfast. It’s filled with sweet cinnamon and has all of the flavors of regular banana bread, but is just better.
Thanks to the combination of the bananas and almond milk, this recipe stays moist and fluffy – just as it should! Plus, it’s packed with good-for-you ingredients like whole grain rolled oats, bananas, eggs, almond milk, a little maple syrup, and some yummy walnuts for crunch.
When you can find a breakfast that not only tastes like banana bread but is also made with wholesome, healthy ingredients and keeps you satisfied between meals, you know it’s a winner.
Ingredients in banana bread baked oatmeal
We’re sticking to the classics for this recipe (banana, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon), but giving it a twist with items like rolled oats and maple syrup. Together, the flavors are simply to die for!
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats will form the base of our recipe in the amount of 2 1/4 cups.
- Baking powder: Next, we’ll use 1 tsp of baking powder to help the bread cook properly.
- Spices: For flavor, we’re using 2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp of salt.
- Bananas: As for the bananas, you’ll need about 1 cup mashed, which you can achieve with 3 medium or 2 large bananas.
- Eggs: Eggs contribute to both the flavor and the texture of the bread. You’ll need 2.
- Almond milk: Next, 1 1/2 cups almond milk will be used to help thicken up and flavor the bread.
- Maple syrup: We’ll sweeten things naturally with 1/4 cups of maple syrup.
- Vanilla: Lastly, throw in 1 tsp of vanilla to get that classic baked treat taste.
- Optional: If you choose, you can add to your recipe by including 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and banana coins.
In order to make this gluten free, ensure that you are using certified gluten free oats! And if you want to make it vegan, you can most likely do so by using chia or flax eggs instead of regular.
What you’ll need to bake this dish
Only 6 different baking tools are needed to create oatmeal banana bread, along with various measuring cups. Here’s everything you’ll need, listed in the order that you’ll need it:
- 8×8 baking dish
- Nonstick spray
- Small mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
For measuring, you will need the following sizes: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How do you make banana bread baked oatmeal?
This is the best banana bread baked oatmeal because it’s easy-peasy to make! Just like any of my other recipes, mix the dry and wet ingredients together in separate bowls, and then slowly add the dry into the wet. You can then add any sort of mix-ins that you’d like!
To begin, preheat the oven to 375F and grease an 8×8 dish with nonstick spray. I like to cut a piece of parchment paper to put on the bottom of the dish as a liner.
In a small bowl, combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, and stir everything together.
Then, in a large bowl, mash the bananas until completely soft.
Whisk in the eggs, and then stir in the almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
Add the oat mixture to the wet ingredients and stir to combine everything.
If you want to add in walnuts, chocolate, and/or banana coins, you can do so now.
Once mixed, pour the batter into the greased dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let cool before cutting.
Substitution Tip
Missing an item? Here are some simple swaps that you can try if need be!
- Rolled oats: If you’re out of rolled oats, try using instant oats! The texture may wind up slightly different, but they should still bake into the recipe properly.
- Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, you can sub 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg, or make chia seed “eggs” by mixing 1 tbsp seeds with 3 tbsp of water (per egg). Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it forms a gel-type consistency, and then add to your recipe where it calls for eggs.
- Almond milk: You can use any type of nut or dairy milk in place of almond milk.
- Maple syrup: If you don’t want to use maple syrup, some other all-natural options include honey and molasses.
A healthier banana bread option
This banana oatmeal bread is a healthier option to standard banana bread thanks to a number of simple ingredient swaps! Here’s everything that was used to make this bread a more nutrient-rich option.
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats pack this banana bread with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and loads of vitamins. They make a great substitute for flour!
- Almond milk: I like to use almond milk in my baking for an extra kick in nutrients – not to mention the flavor is great!
- Maple syrup: Finally, I used maple syrup as the sweetener of choice for an all-natural option that’s low glycemic and tastes delicious.
Can you freeze banana bread oatmeal?
Storing baked oatmeal is a breeze, especially because you can freeze it! Gone are the days of half of the loaf going bad before you can eat it – just stick it in the freezer and enjoy it later! It will stay good in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Wrap the bread in aluminum foil and stick it in a Tupperware container or Ziplock bag (anything airtight will work!). When you’re ready to eat it again, simply defrost it in the fridge or on the counter, then microwave it for a few seconds to warm it up.
On the other hand, you can keep your bread stored in the fridge for up to one week!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
I don’t know about you, but for me oatmeal is always a good idea. Here are some more of my favorite oatmeal recipes, perfect for breakfast, snacking, or a cozy dessert!
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Creamy Stove-top Oatmeal
- Healthy Berry Baked Oatmeal
- Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Cups
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
Give this healthy banana bread baked oatmeal recipe a try for breakfast when you’re looking for something easy, quick, and protein packed! Made with rolled oats, ripe bananas, and a little maple syrup for natural sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- ~1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large or 3 medium)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, banana coins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and grease an 8×8 pan with nonstick spray. I also like to cut a piece of parchment to put on the bottom as a liner.
- In a small bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas until completely soft.
- Whisk in eggs, then stir in almond milk, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Add oat mixture to wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- If you want to add in walnuts, chocolate, banana coins, you can add them now.
- Pour into greased dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before cutting.
- Enjoy!
*See notes in recipe for storing.
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Jennifer says
I have been struggling with breakfast ideas for my picky 8 year old. She loves this recipe and has eaten it everyday for a week and has asked me to make it again. I top it with melted peanut butter, fresh bananas and a few mini chocolate chips. Thank you!
Cgw says
Amazing!! Tastes just like a pancake. I added blueberries. Delicious as always!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy you enjoyed it and great addition!
Elizabeth McCready says
Does this need to be stored in the fridge if you plan to eat it throughout the week? That wasn’t totally clear up above so I wanted to make sure.
Erin says
Hi Elizabeth, yes, I recommend keeping it stored in the fridge for up to one week or you can freeze it for up to 6 months!
Christina says
I made this as the recipe called and loved it!!! It was the perfect thing to eat before and after my runs. I’d love to add in some peanut butter. Would you recommend adding it to the mixture, or adding it on top once it’s baked? If adding it to the mixture, how much would you recommend adding?
Erin says
Hi Christina, so happy you loved it!! On top would be best! Let me know how yours comes out next time!
Leah Ungru says
This recipe is excellent! Made for my family this morning and it was a hit with everyone!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Leah, so glad everyone loved it!!
Ashley says
Great for meal prep and you can get creative with mix ins!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sarah C says
Love this recipe! I have to go egg/tree nut free too for my son so do you think I could try substituting an extra banana or applesauce for the eggs? Equal substitution of almond for oat milk? Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Sarah, yes to both!! That should work fine. Let me know how it comes out for you! 🙂
Kathryn says
I’ve made this every few weeks since September as meal prep for breakfast. It is easy to make with ingredients I always have on hand and it is delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kathryn, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Tara says
Great recipe, I have made it several times now. Love making it on Monday and having my breakfast made for the rest of the week. I add a handful of Lily’s no sugar added chocolate chips. Love baked oatmeal. I have a pumpkin one that I also liked to make and in the summer, a lemon bar baked oatmeal recipe!
Erin says
Hi Tara, so happy you loved it!!
Erin B. says
Delicious!! Adding more cinnamon next time and maybe a bit less milk to have a little bit more of a bread texture as opposed to oatmeal (based on hubby feedback) – I like the more oatmeal texture myself!
★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you liked it and feel free to make those adjustments!
Danielle G. says
An easy and delicious breakfast to take on the go! Will be making again soon.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Danielle, so glad you loved it!!
Michele says
Made this this morning since we had some bananas that needed to be used! Quick and yummy!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Michele, so happy you loved it!
Maggie says
This is a go to recipe for me! Comes together super quickly. I love this as an alternate to eggs for breakfast and top it with greek yogurt and berries. Thanks, Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maggie, so glad you loved it!!
Frances says
One of my favorite ELW recipes! I make it every week and take it for my morning snack at work!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Frances, so happy you loved it!
Dona says
I absolutely love this recipe! I was looking for a healthy version of banana bread & found your recipe ~ it’s a huge hit with my husband and me ~ I’ll be sure to check out your other recipes 🍁
Erin says
Hi Dona, so happy you both loved it! 🙂
Caroline says
Hi Erin- could I use a 9×5 inch dish if I don’t have an 8×8?
Erin says
Hi Caroline, yep! You’ll just want to check them sooner because they’ll probably take less time to bake! Let me know how they come out!
Dora says
Made this a while ago, it was the first recipe I made from your website 😊 it was delicious, will definitely not be the last one I’ll made of your recipes 😋
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Dora, yay thank you so much for your support! So happy you loved it!
Linda Frank says
Came out great.
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you loved it!!
Jackie C says
These were really easy to make and OMG they are delicious and filling! I baked these with same cooking times using a silicone baking pan. Thank you for sharing!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jackie, so happy you loved it so much!
WALTER-KEMBLE says
Love this recipe!! It’s a great for the loaf as shown & simple to modify if you want to go into dessert or sumptuous brunch mode A few substitutions and eh voila.
For my taste I increase the nutmeg, vanilla, salt, baking powder by roughly ½.
cinnamon (I grind myself) is at least doubled.
I include 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses in the liquid group and use Roger’s golden syrup in place of maple syrup. Rogers golden syrup is NOT corn syrup!! Essentially it’s liquid Demerara and has been used in Canada on pancakes and wherever you like sweetness for around for probably 60 -80 years here.
In place of almond milk I use 1 cup local organic 3.25% whole organic milk from a local dairy which is an institution here in Vancouver BC. The milk is not homogenized but it is pasteurized as our dictated by law.
I cream four small very ripe bananas in the Cuisinart. I’m getting put that aside then
chop all the dry ingredients together in the cuisinart so that the oats become more like flour.
Just befor it goes in the oven I use semi-sweet dark chocolate chips and cover the top in an argyle pattern.
I too use parchment in the bottom. My preferred baking dish is an oval a corning french white.
Bake 45 minutes at 350 or 375 using my convection oven. that cool to room temperature and serve with country churned butter or 38% manually whipped cream.
Or the icing sugar drizzle that is put on Pillsbury croissants you can find the recipe on the Pillsbury website.
Something Tonight, Just before I popped it into the convection oven I used a ladle full of my the batter and made a couple of crepes. The results were fabulous. Not too heavy not too light and they roll beautifully.
Got to go A friend’s on his way over for coffee and banana oatmeal with chocolate chips and whipped cream!!!
Here’s a chuckle for your weekend: Why are all chefs considered sadists?
Because they with the cream and beat the eggs!! 🙀🙀😹🙀 Have a great weekend everyone XoXo ❤️,💋
★★★★★
WALTER-KEMBLE says
Forgive the grammar and the typos that’s all predictive text that I didn’t catch before I posted. XOXO 💖
★★★★★
Erin says
No worries! Thanks again!!
Erin says
Hi Walter, so glad you liked it and made it your own. Thanks so much for sharing!! 🙂