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This Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal is soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced, just like your favorite banana bread! It’s easy to make with simple, wholesome ingredients and perfect for busy mornings or meal prep. Vegan, Gluten-Free and Nut-Free Options.
I like to think of these Banana Bread Baked Oats as banana bread’s easy-going cousin. Oats, mashed bananas, maple syrup, and cinnamon are mixed and baked right in the pan for an easy breakfast to have on the table in 35 minutes. You get all of that sweet, comforting banana bread flavor, but with way less effort.
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Fuss-Free Cheater Banana Bread
You know what I love about this Vegan Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal? It tastes like a warm and cozy slice of banana bread, but it’s way easier and faster to make. That’s why I call it cheater banana bread—all that goodness comes from almost no effort!
Just like these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls and these Banana Bread Scones, everything you love about banana bread goes into this vegan baked oatmeal recipe. Mashed bananas, rolled oats, warm spices, maple syrup, and milk are stirred together directly in the baking pan and then baked until your kitchen smells like you made my Healthy Vegan Banana Bread.
You won’t be left with a bunch of dishes to clean or a ton of ingredients to put away. Just warm, cozy banana bread goodness to enjoy for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients for Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
This easy make-ahead breakfast looks, tastes, and smells just like banana bread! And it’s all thanks to 10 everyday ingredients:
- Bananas: this recipe is a great way to use up those brown, spotty bananas on your counter. The riper your bananas, the easier they’ll be to mash and the sweeter they’ll taste in the oats.
- Milk: any non-dairy milk goes here. If you want to go all out, make your own plant milk from scratch (homemade oat milk would be perfect).
- Rolled Oats: old-fashioned rolled oats are best. They stay nice and hearty, while quick-cooking oats could make the oatmeal mushy. If all you have are steel-cut oats, I’d recommend making my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe instead.
- Ground Flaxseed: it’s the binding agent that will hold the creamy oat mixture together. If you need a substitute, an equal amount of ground chia seeds will work just as well.
- Cinnamon: because every great banana bread recipe needs a pinch of cinnamon! And to give those warm and cozy vibes a boost, add a dash of nutmeg or cardamom as well.
- Walnuts: they’re an optional mix-in for more crunch and healthy fats. I recommend toasting them in a dry skillet before stirring them into the batter to reveal their hidden flavors.
How to Make Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
- Mash the peeled bananas in a baking dish. Add the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla, then mix to combine.
- Stir the oats, flax, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, then fold in the walnuts. Top the oats with sliced bananas.
- Bake the banana oats until they’re set and golden on top.
- Either serve the oatmeal right away or set it aside to cool before slicing into bars. Enjoy!
Caitlin’s Cooking Tips
- Don’t overmix the oats: Remember to gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until they just come together. Overmixing the oat mixture can make the texture dense instead of soft and tender.
- The texture is up to you. If you love extra soft and almost runny oatmeal, plan to serve the baked oats as soon as they come out of the oven. Otherwise, let it cool completely before slicing into firm, portable squares. These are perfect for grab-and-go snacks and meal prep!
Serving Suggestions
I always reach for a slice of baked banana oatmeal when I’m having a busy morning. Since this recipe is full of fiber, complex carbs, and healthy fats, one slice is enough to keep me going for hours. But on those days when I have a little extra time, I’ll warm up the oats and enjoy them with a scoop of dairy-free yogurt and a drizzle of creamy nut butter.
This recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect for big family breakfasts and around the holidays, too. They pair well with pretty much everything you’d serve for breakfast and brunch, from this Vegan Tofu Scramble to these Oil Free Breakfast Potatoes.
If you’re looking for more vegan baked oatmeal recipes, you’ll also love this Blueberry Baked Oatmeal, this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, and this Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal!
How to Store Leftover Baked Oatmeal
The leftover baked oatmeal will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. Store the oatmeal in the covered baking dish or an airtight container, or wrap the squares individually in plastic wrap for pre-portioned servings.
The leftover oatmeal bars are delicious served cold or warm. To reheat, warm them in a 325°F toaster oven for 8 to 10 minutes or in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Feel free to add a splash of non-dairy milk before reheating for a just-baked feel.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Maple Syrup Substitute: You can substitute another liquid sweetener, such as agave nectar, date syrup, or coconut nectar. Coconut sugar or brown sugar works, too (whisk it into the wet ingredients until dissolved).
- Walnut Substitute: The walnuts can be replaced with an equal amount of almonds, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. Or, simply omit them for a nut-free recipe.
- Optional Mix-Ins: Instead of walnuts, fold non-dairy chocolate chips, chopped dates, shredded coconut, dried fruit, or diced apples into the oat batter.
Recipe FAQs
The baking time depends on how thick you like the baked oats. I find that anywhere between 30 and 35 minutes is the sweet spot (30 minutes for softer oats, 35 minutes for firmer oats).
Yes, you can assemble the banana bread oatmeal mixture the night before and refrigerate it, covered, overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven and bake as directed.
Sure! I recommend replacing up to 1/4 cup of the oats with a scoop of your favorite protein powder and adding an extra 1/2 cup of milk to maintain the same creamy texture. Vanilla or unflavored protein powder pairs best with banana bread flavor.
Absolutely. Just double the ingredients and bake the oats in a larger dish or two 9×13” pans until the center is just about set (the baking time may increase slightly).
Enjoy! If you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I would also love it if you could leave a comment below with a recipe rating! Thank you for the support 😊
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas plus 1 more for topping (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups non-dairy milk of choice
- 1/4 cup grade A maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350F
- Wet Ingredients: Peel and finely mash 2 ripe bananas in a 9×13″ (or similar sized) baking dish. Add the non-dairy milk, maple syrup, and (optional) vanilla extract to the dish and mix until well-combined.
- Dry Ingredients: Add in the oats, flax, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Fold the walnuts into the oats if using, then use a rubber spatula to evenly distribute the mix throughout the pan. Top with additional sliced banana, if desired.
- Bake & Serve: Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 30-35 minutes, depending on how thick you would like the oatmeal to be. For a "runnier" oatmeal, serve immediately after baking. Otherwise, let the oatmeal cool completely, then slice into bars. Serve as desired, warm or cold; leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or can be pre-sliced and frozen for up to two months.
Recipe Notes
- Substitutions: Maple syrup can be replaced with equal parts granulated or liquid sweetener of choice. Chia seeds can be used instead of flax. Walnuts can be omitted or replaced with another nut or seed. Do not use quick-cooking or steel-cut oats for this recipe.
Nutrition
I love overnight oats so wanted to try this. I need a quick breakfast in the morning because I wake up hungry! Smelled great baking last night and cut it into bars for the morning. Delicious and easy to make. Thanks Caitlin!
You’re always welcome, Suzanne!
This Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal was delicious and so easy to make. I love the healthy oatmeal with the banana and cinnamon flavors. It made a great breakfast with a cup of coffee and stayed with me all morning. I cut it into 8 pieces which was a perfect portion for a good breakfast. Will be making this again soon.
So happy you loved it, Joyce!
So easy, so delicious, and so smart! Why have I been dirtying a mixing bowl my whole life when I can just do it in the baking dish?!
Glad you enjoyed it, Olivia!
Definitely printing this one for my recipe binder! I can’t believe how quick and easy this was since it’s all mixed and made right in the baking dish. I used my metal whisk to mash the banana + mix everything together, so other than that it was just a few measuring spoons/cups and a little knife to slice my banana topping!
This was the perfect recipe to use up my ripe bananas and as for the optional banana topping, I actually used 2 bananas and completely covered the top in a single layer of banana slices. It came out great! I baked it for 35 minutes then broiled for about 2 minutes to get it slightly more browned on top.
The recipe is absolutely great as-is, but I will try doubling or tripling the cinnamon next time just because I love the flavor and how it adds more sweetness, plus the health benefits! Perhaps some extra walnuts as well for even more of that delicious, crunchy texture.
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe and found it quick and easy. Your creative twists, like using a metal whisk and adding extra cinnamon and walnuts, sound fantastic! I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and I hope the dish continues to bring joy to your recipe binder. Happy cooking, Katelin!
This recipe was fast, easy, nutritious and so good. My kiddos gobbled it up. I froze half of the recipe and look forward to having it again. My house smelled amazing too.
Glad you all enjoyed it, Erin!
This is my second time making this recipe, and I love how versatile it is! I had some pumpkin spice oat milk to use up, and it added the perfect spice and warmth to my baked oatmeal. Don’t sleep on meal prepped breakfast! So much better than grabbing a protein bar!
Totally with you on meal prepped breakfast! Glad you loved it, Jules! ♥
Very easy and quick breakfast
It sure is! Thank you, Jenn!
Easy to make and so delicious! My family loves the taste of banana bread and this banana bread baked oatmeal recipe is a definite keeper for us! I love that it makes multiple servings. Meal prep for me is a must! Great recipe to use up the bananas that are in need of being used up to avoid food waste!
Thank you so much and glad your whole family enjoyed it, Michelle!
Today is a snow day and I have a ton of spotty bananas- this was the perfect cozy recipe! The consistency and flavor are lovely and its such a cost-effective breakfast which is a relief considering grocery prices.
I used soy milk and added 2 scoops (I think 2…) of vegan protein powder to make this even more filling and protein packed. I still have more bananas so I plan on making a second batch and freezing a bunch as meal prep!
Perfect! Thank you so much for the review, Laura Mae!
I made this recipe for our brunch today and love it! Great addition to our oatmeal breakfast favorites. We sprinkled hemp heart and chia seeds with fresh berries on top! Yum!
Happy you loved it, Lori!
Loved this Banana Oatmeal Bread recipe. So easy, whipped up in its baking pan so virtually less mess! I used an 8 x 8 pan instead for a thicker slice, a bit more gooey than if I had opted for a 9 x 13 pan. Plump blueberries gave a pop of color and a complimentary fruity flavor to the bananas. I laid out vertically sliced bananas to get a bit more banana flavor in each bite. I’ll make it again and again. Easy, nutritious and filling!
So happy you loved it, Shari!
I make this often and portion it out into 6, with at least half in the freezer wrapped in Parchment. This is a perfect meal prep breakfast for early mornings and always well received by guests.
Thank you, Megan!
This Banana Bread Oatmeal was easy, delicious and filling. I added plump blueberries for an extra “pop” of color and flavor
Good call! Glad you enjoyed it, Shari!
Baked oatmeal is probably my favorite breakfast. I have several recipes I use, but this will be my new go-to base when I want something very quick, as it requires minimal ingredients and prep. I always have ripe bananas on hand, so this is perfect. I used soy milk for added protein and then in addition to the walnuts, we all topped our bowls with peanut butter. I added 1 cup of frozen raspberries to the recipe and it turned out great. I would say this makes about 4-5 servings, as 3 of us enjoyed it and there is maybe 1-1.5 servings left for tomorrow. Yum!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed it, Jamie!
Simple, easy to make and delicious. One of my favourites! I love that I can be creative with it. Thank you for the recipe.☺️
You’re always welcome, Flóra!
This was so easy to make and so satisfying too! I made half the amount of the recipe in a glass bread loaf pan, which worked out well. The banana I used was not overly ripe so the result was a little less sweet, which I’m sure would be fixed with using very very ripe bananas, as mentioned in the recipe. Will definitely be making this often!!
Happy you enjoyed it, Narayani!
What a yummy and easy recipe for the family! This was a nice switch from our overnight and stovetop oatmeal routine. The bananas and maple syrup give the right amount of sweetness while the cinnamon and vanilla extract flavor it nicely! Thanks for another great recipe, Caitlyn!
You are so welcome, Rena! Glad your family enjoyed it.
I have been trying to meal prep my breakfast since I am always running out the door in the morning.
I love bananas and I love oatmeal so this was perfect for me!
I love to top mine with PB and hemp hearts.
Since I love this recipe I would love to try the apple and cinnamon bake oatmeal as well for a different flavor!
Easy to throw together in the morning for the whole family. Added some peanut butter & date mixture on top to add some fats and I used soy milk to get some extra protein
Good healthy, fast, one pot breakfast.
Glad you enjoyed it, Emilie!
This was soooooo tasty and is definitely going to be a regular breakfast staple from now on. It’s a perfect post workout meal for my son and I in the mornings and was so quick and easy to make.🥰
Glad you enjoyed it, Tabitha!