Hearty (and Healthy) Baked Oatmeal

Now I know most of my recipes tend to be on the - ahem - indulgent side but I really do know how to cook and bake hearty, wholesome and healthful things that still taste good.

I swear.

And today I did just that.

This baked oatmeal is loaded with great nutrients and the base of the recipe can be added to and changed up in a ton of delicious ways.

It is also lacking excess sugar and fat.


Here's what you'll need:

• 3 cups of oats
• ¼ of packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of milled flax seed*
• ¼ cup of wheat germ*
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon*
• ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg*
• 1 whole egg + 2 egg whites
• 1¼ cups of milk
• ¼ cup of canola oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 cup of golden raisins*
• 1 banana, sliced*
• ½ cup of slivered almonds*

* These ingredients are what I used in my oatmeal and are super delish and healthful but they are totally optional and can be switched up however you like. 

Alright, let's get to it!

Preheat your oven to 350℉.

Grab a big mixing bowl and dump in the oats.

And the brown sugar.

And the flax seed.

Flax seeds are high in dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

Look it up, it's true!

And the wheat germ.

Wheat germ is a great source for vitamin E, folic acid, essential fatty acids and fiber.

Both flax seed and wheat germ can be added to baked goods or protein shakes and can be sprinkled on everything from salad to cereal for added nutrients.

And this concludes our health lesson for the day.

Back to baking!

Now add the baking powder.

And the salt.

And the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Give it a toss to combine.

Now for the wet ingredients...

Crack your egg and whites.

Add the vanilla.

Measure the milk.

And the oil.

Dump the eggs and vanilla into the milk and oil and beat it lightly, breaking up the yolk.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture into it.

Stir gently until evenly moistened.

At this point you'll want to add, well, whatever it is that you want to add.

I chose golden raisins and banana slices.

Dump them in and fold until evenly distributed.

Grab a 9"x13" pan and spray it with cooking spray.

Now dump in your oatmeal mixture and spread it as evenly as you can.

And now, because to me good food has complex texture.

And because we've got our healthy hats on today.

Let's add some slivered almonds on top for crunch and protein!

Just sprinkle them evenly over the top.

Pop it in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

I like to eat baked oatmeal warm.

Look at those beautiful golden raisins!

Little amber jewels.

And those toasted almonds!

It looks like fall in a bowl.

And smells like it too, by the way.

And in the spirit of keeping things nice and healthy and low fat, I eat my baked oatmeal with a little homemade apple sauce.

But you could certainly pour some milk over it.

Or dollop a bit of yogurt.

Or eat it plain and cold as you run out the door on your way to work...

Whatever makes you happy!

Mmmm Mmmm.

Have a wonderful and healthy day!