This blueberry-baked oatmeal recipe is a delicious and healthy way to start your day. The oatmeal is packed with nutrients and fiber, and the blueberries add a sweet and tart flavor that compliments the oats perfectly. This recipe for blueberry baked oatmeal is also easy to make, and it is a healthy alternative to traditional oatmeal. Plus, you can make it ahead of time to enjoy a hot breakfast, even on busy mornings.
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What is Blueberry Baked Oatmeal?
Blueberry baked oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious breakfast dish that combines rolled oats, milk or a milk alternative, sweetener, spices, and blueberries. It's a popular and easy-to-make breakfast option for meal prep or serving a crowd
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Provide the base for the oatmeal and contribute to its texture and heartiness.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the oatmeal.
- Chopped Pecans: Add a nutty flavor and crunch to the oatmeal, both in the mixture and as a topping.
- Baking Powder: Helps the oatmeal rise and become slightly fluffy.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the oatmeal with a warm, aromatic spice flavor.
- Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, nutty spice flavor that complements the cinnamon.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing sweetness and spices.
- Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the texture of the oatmeal.
- Whole Milk or Low-Fat Milk: Provides moisture and creaminess to the oatmeal.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a pleasant vanilla aroma and flavor to the oatmeal.
- Unsalted Butter (Melted): Contributes richness and flavor to the dish and helps with moisture.
- Blueberries: Provide bursts of fruity sweetness and a pop of color to the oatmeal. They are scattered both in the mixture and as a topping.
Tools You'll Need
How to Make Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with unsalted butter. In a medium bowl, stir the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and ½ cup of the chopped pecans.
Break up the eggs in another bowl with a whisk, then mix the milk and vanilla until well combined. Finally, add the milk mixture to the oat and melted butter. Scatter 2 cups of the blueberries evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour the oatmeal mixture over the top and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup nuts and ½ cup blueberries on top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until golden at the edges and set at the center. Let cool for at least 5 minutes, then serve the blueberry baked oatmeal warm or at room temperature.
Substitutions
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar, light brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup can also be used instead of brown sugar. If using honey or maple syrup, I recommend using ⅓ cup.
- Fresh Blueberry: Feel free to substitute the fresh blueberry for frozen (no need to thaw) or your preferred berry/fruit, chopped into ½ inch pieces if needed.
- Milk: 1% milk, 2% milk, or alternatives can be used instead of whole milk if desired.
- Butter: Instead of butter, you can use melted coconut oil, avocado oil, or any neutral-flavored oil.
Variations
- Mixed Berry Baked Oatmeal: Instead of using only blueberries, mix in various berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. You can use the same mixed berries (2-½ cups) as the original blueberry baked oatmeal recipe.
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal: Replace the blueberries with diced apples. You can use 2-½ cups of peeled and diced apples. Additionally, increase the ground cinnamon to 1 tablespoon for extra flavor.
- Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal: Omit the blueberries and add mashed ripe bananas to the oatmeal mixture. Use 2-3 mashed bananas to replace the blueberries. You can also add chopped walnuts or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal: If you want something sweeter, replace the blueberries with chocolate chips. Use 1-2 cups of chocolate chips (depending on your preference) instead of the blueberries. Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Tropical Baked Oatmeal: Give the oatmeal a tropical twist using diced pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped macadamia nuts. Replace the blueberries with 2-½ cups of diced pineapple. Add ½ cup of shredded coconut and ½ cup of chopped macadamia nuts to the oatmeal mixture.
How to Serve
This easy blueberry-baked oatmeal recipe can be served in many ways, depending on your preference. The baked oatmeal can be served warmly or with a scoop of plain/vanilla yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream if desired. Blueberry baked oatmeal can also be enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge.
How to Store & Reheat
To store: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal can be kept covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Cover with foil in a 350° F preheated oven for about 20 minutes or microwave individual portions on high for 1 minute or until hot.
Make Ahead
Blueberry Baked oatmeal can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Then, cover the blueberry baked oatmeal with foil and reheat in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions on high for 1 minute.
How to Freeze
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal can be frozen after baking and tightly covered for up to 3 months. When ready to serve the blueberry baked oatmeal, let it defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then reheat it, covered with foil, in a 325° F oven until hot.
Tips For Making Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Use Fresh or Frozen Blueberries: This recipe can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen blueberries, there's no need to thaw them before adding to the oatmeal mixture.
- Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness of the baked oatmeal can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer it less sweet, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or skip it altogether. Alternatively, you can drizzle honey or maple syrup over the top after baking for added sweetness.
- Customize with Nuts: Feel free to customize the oatmeal by adding your favorite nuts like chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds. These not only add crunch but also extra flavor and nutrition.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Thoroughly: Ensure that the dry ingredients (oats, brown sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt) are mixed thoroughly before adding the wet ingredients. This ensures the even distribution of flavors.
- Combine Wet Ingredients Well: When mixing the wet ingredients (eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract), whisk them together until they are well combined. This helps create a consistent texture in the baked oatmeal.
- Evenly Spread Blueberries: When spreading the blueberries in the baking dish, try to distribute them evenly so that each bite balances blueberries and oatmeal.
- Press Down Gently: After pouring the oatmeal mixture over the blueberries, you can gently press down on the mixture with a spatula. This helps compact the ingredients and ensures a cohesive baked oatmeal.
- Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on the baking time, as ovens vary. The baked oatmeal should be golden at the edges and set in the center. You can use a toothpick or knife to check if it comes out clean from the center to ensure it's cooked.
- Serve Warm: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is best served warm. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave if you have leftovers.
- Enjoy with Toppings: Consider serving with additional fresh blueberries, a yogurt drizzle, or a whipped cream dollop.
FAQ
My baked oatmeal turned out too dry. What did I do wrong?
Baked oatmeal can become dry if it's overbaked. Ensure you follow the recommended baking time, and be cautious not to overcook it. Additionally, consider adding a bit more milk to the mixture before baking to ensure it stays moist.
The oatmeal didn't hold together well. How can I make it firmer?
If the oatmeal doesn't hold together as desired, you can try slightly increasing the number of eggs or adding more milk to the mixture for extra moisture and binding. Pressing the mixture evenly in the baking dish can also help it set better.
My baked oatmeal has a burnt or too-dark top. How can I prevent this?
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil during the last portion of the baking time to avoid a burnt or overly dark top. This will help prevent the top from browning too quickly while the oatmeal cooks through.
Can I use different fruits instead of blueberries?
You can substitute other fruits for blueberries, such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, or bananas. Just keep in mind that different fruits may require different baking times or adjustments in sweetness, so taste and adjust as needed.
My baked oatmeal has a lumpy texture. How can I make it smoother?
To achieve a smoother texture, thoroughly mix the wet and dry ingredients until well combined before pouring them over the blueberries. Ensure that the oats are evenly coated with the liquid mixture.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the ingredients, assemble the oatmeal mixture the night before, and refrigerate it. In the morning, you can bake it directly from the fridge. Adjust the baking time if needed, as starting from a cold temperature might take a bit longer.
My baked oatmeal is too sweet. How can I reduce the sweetness?
If your baked oatmeal is too sweet for your liking, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar used in the recipe or omit it altogether. You can also consider using a sugar substitute if you're looking to reduce sugar content.
Related Recipes:
- Oatmeal Horchata
- Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut
- Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Green Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
Recipe
Easy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (Do not use quick-cooking or instant)
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans , divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1-⅔ cups of whole milk or low fat
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted, plus more for greasing the baking dish
- 2-½ cups blueberries , divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with unsalted butter. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and ½ cup of the chopped pecans.
- In another bowl, break up the eggs with a whisk, then mix in the milk and vanilla until well combined. Finally, add the milk mixture to the oat mixture and the melted butter. Scatter 2 cups of the blueberries evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture over the top and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup nuts and ½ cup blueberries on top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until golden at the edges and set at the center. Let cool for at least 5 minutes, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.