Are you looking for a healthy, delicious, and incredibly easy breakfast or even dessert option? Look no further! This vegan baked oatmeal recipe is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekend mornings. It's packed with wholesome ingredients, customizable to your taste, and requires minimal effort for maximum flavour. Forget soggy cereal; this baked oatmeal is the epitome of creamy, comforting goodness – a true champion among healthy meal recipes and easy recipes. Get ready to elevate your breakfast game!
Ingredients:
This recipe is easily scalable; feel free to double or triple it depending on your needs.
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat milk work well)
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener to taste)
- 2 tablespoons apple sauce (unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) – optional
- ¼ cup seeds (chia, flax, or sunflower) – optional
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a small baking dish (approximately 8x8 inches) or individual ramekins.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures even distribution of spices and leavening.
Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. The applesauce adds moisture and a lovely texture.
Mix everything together: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a tough oatmeal.
Add mix-ins: Gently fold in your chosen berries, nuts, and seeds. This is where you can get creative and add your favourite ingredients.
Bake: Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This timing might vary slightly depending on your oven.
Cool and serve: Let the baked oatmeal cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm or cold – it's delicious either way! This makes a great quick dinner idea too, especially when paired with a side salad.
Tips for the Best Vegan Baked Oatmeal:
- Use rolled oats: Avoid quick-cooking oats, as they will result in a mushy texture.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing the batter will make the oatmeal tough.
- Adjust sweetness: Adjust the amount of maple syrup to your liking.
- Add-ins galore: Get creative with your add-ins! Chopped apples, bananas, raisins, chocolate chips, pumpkin puree – the possibilities are endless.
- Make it ahead: This baked oatmeal can be made ahead of time and reheated in the microwave or oven. It's perfect for meal prepping!
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal: Add ½ cup vegan chocolate chips to the batter.
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: Add ½ cup chopped apples and an extra ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal: Add ½ cup pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Consider using a nutrition calculator for a precise analysis based on your ingredient choices.
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Protein: Approximately 5-7g
- Fiber: Approximately 5-7g
This recipe showcases delicious dishes and offers the best recipes for easy homemade cooking. It's a fantastic addition to anyone’s repertoire of healthy meals and quick dinner ideas. Enjoy!