Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

This is one of my favorite recipes to make! I've been making it for about 5 years.  I can't believe I haven't added it to the blog yet.  It's easy, healthy, and tasty.  What more can one ask for??  This is adapted from a recipe by Heidi Swanson from her book Super Natural Every Day   I have tried to use to use steel cut oats, but have found old fashion rolled oats have the best consistency in the end.  This is what I generally use from Bob's Red Mill.   

Fresh blueberries are best, but no worries if they are not in season, frozen work just fine too! I have also made this with and without bananas, and with and without walnuts.  Only once have I toasted the walnuts, and yes that is better, but I'm usually too lazy so do no toast them.  I also use plain almond milk because that is what we have on hand. Any "milk" will do!  

Steps, combine the wet works and dry works.  Then start to layer everything in.   Bake, then enjoy! 

 

I go back and forth on drizzling more maple syrup on the finished product.  Try it both ways and decide for yourself! I don't think it's needed, but of course it's extra sweet if you do! 

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain salt
2 cups milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 bananas, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1-1/2 cups blueberries

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a square 8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. 2. In a bowl, combine the oats, half of the walnuts, the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt
3. 3. In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, the milk, egg, the butter, and the vanilla.
4. 4. Spread a single layer of bananas across the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle about two-thirds of the blueberries on top. Cover that with the oat mixture and then drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Scatter the remaining blueberries and walnuts over the top.
5. 5. Bake for 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the oats are set. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. 
6. 6. For serving, drizzle with more maple syrup to your preference.  

Makes 6 servings.