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Are you looking for a warm, filling, healthy, high fiber, slightly sweet, crunchy, chewy not boring breakfast, that you can make ahead and even freeze? Check out this recipe for baked oatmeal.

If you are a fan of soaking your grains you can for sure do this step the day before, then continue with the rest of the recipe.

I’ve made several variations on baked oatmeal over the past few months, typically I mix oats, fruit, sweetener, a handful of nuts, a couple eggs, and some type of milk, and bake in the oven like a casserole. What makes this recipe different, is you caramelize your bananas in butter first (ever had bananas foster? same idea), then add the rest of the ingredients.

My favorite fruit combo is frozen blueberries and cherries, but you could also do peaches, or raspberries (or whatever your heart desires). I use cow’s milk, but nut milk would also work well.

Check out the recipe below and let me know what you think…

Baked Oatmeal With Caramelized Bananas And Blueberries

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 2-3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (or a mix of cherries, raspberries, or blackberries)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Butter an 8 x 8 square baking dish.
3. Slice bananas, and place them in a single layer on the bottom of the dish. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes, or until they start to smell really good.
4. While the banana layer is baking, prep your other ingredients. In a bowl, mix together the oats, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and half of the walnuts.
5. In another bowl, whisk together maple syrup, milk, eggs, and vanilla.
6. Once the bananas have caramelized, pull them out of the oven.
7. Stir the oat mixture into the egg/ milk mixture to combine. Pour this over the bananas. Gently stir in the berries, and top with remaining walnuts (now everybody should be in the pan).
8. Bake for about 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
9. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, or a spoonful of yogurt.

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist. She offers this recipe to tickle your taste buds. Please see your medial professional for specific dietary advice.