This recipe comes from my friend Jill, for which I am forever grateful to her, and I hug her in my mind whenever I make it. Which is a lot of mind-hugs. It is one of my most-requested recipes!
Chewy, old-fashioned oats steep in a custard-like mixture overnight, then bake to a scrumptiously crumbly-sweet dish spoonably eaten with berries and a drizzle of maple syrup (if desired). I have tinkered with her basic recipe and now often make an almond variation, to rave reviews from family and friends, but you do you.
Delicious, satisfying, adaptable, and best of all – made the night before so there’s minimal preparation in the morning! Perfect for gifting to families with a new baby or who just need a cozy, comforting morning meal. (You can gift it to me anytime.)
Make it tonight, enjoy it tomorrow morning, and see if it doesn’t become one of your family favorites too! (Just send me a mind-hug afterwards.)
Best Baked Oatmeal
Makes a 9×13″ pan, easily halved
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable, coconut, or canola oil
- scant 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 cups old fashioned oatmeal
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 cups milk
- Cinnamon for sprinkling, if desired
Grease a 9×13″ baking pan.
In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, and sugar till smooth. Add oats, baking powder, salt, vanilla and milk. Mixture will seem runny.
Pour carefully into prepared pan, sprinkle with cinnamon (if using) and cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. A lid works nicely too.
Place pan in fridge and leave overnight or for a minimum of about 6-8 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. Take pan out of fridge to warm up just a leetle bit.
Bake for about 35 mins. Edges should be golden (see photo above). If you like your oatmeal a little more crumbly and dry, bake another 3-5 mins. If you like it more soft and chewy-moist, take that pan out a couple mins earlier and let sit for about 5 mins before serving.
Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired, and berries (either fresh or frozen) or chopped fresh fruit of your choice.
Adaptations:
Almond Baked Oatmeal:
– Cut vanilla down to 1 tsp or omit, add 2-3 tsp almond extract. Add about 1 cup of sliced/flaked almonds to mixture and sprinkle a few on top. This version is amazing topped with blueberries, cherries, or sliced pears!