Description
This Cherry Baked Oatmeal is a comforting and wholesome breakfast dish made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, and sweet cherries. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a warm, fruity start to your day with the option to top it with maple syrup and nut butter for added flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients
Base
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Fruits
- 1 ½ cups frozen or fresh cherries (divided)
- Fresh cherries (for garnish)
Other
- Cooking spray
- Toppings of choice: maple syrup and nut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mash bananas: Peel and mash the two ripe bananas directly in the prepared baking dish until smooth and creamy.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Add the rolled oats, ground flaxseed, baking powder, ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the mashed bananas. Stir everything thoroughly to combine into a uniform mixture.
- Fold in cherries: Gently fold in 1 cup of the frozen or fresh cherries into the oatmeal mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them up too much.
- Top with remaining cherries: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cherries evenly on top of the mixture in the baking dish. This will create a fruity topping as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the center is set and the top has turned golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Cut into portions and serve warm. Optionally, top with maple syrup and nut butter for extra sweetness and richness. Garnish with fresh cherries if desired.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen cherries depending on availability; just thaw frozen cherries before mixing.
- Maple syrup and nut butter are optional but add natural sweetness and healthy fats.
- The baking time might vary depending on your oven; keep an eye on the golden coloring and firmness in the middle.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick breakfast.
- Ground flaxseed adds fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
