Calling all oatmeal lovers! Baked oats without bananas are one of my go-to breakfast recipes when I want something warm, cozy, and easy to make. While many baked oat recipes rely on bananas for sweetness and texture, this version uses applesauce instead, so you still get soft, cake-like oats without the banana flavor. If you’re looking for more single-serve breakfast ideas, try Kodiak Cakes pumpkin muffins or overnight oats with coconut milk!
Key Ingredients
Switch up your usual oatmeal routine with baked oats without bananas. They have a soft, cake-like texture that sets them apart from traditional oatmeal. Here’s what you’ll need to make them.
- Applesauce: Bananas are a common addition to baked oats recipes, but I use applesauce to hold everything together. I have also tried making them with pumpkin puree, giving the oats a tasty fall flavor.
- Milk: Use water or milk to mix the ingredients. Unsweetened almond milk, regular milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk all work well depending on your preference.
- Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients and give the oats structure.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder gives the oat mixture a light, fluffy texture rather than becoming dense.
- Spices: A simple blend of ground cinnamon and sea salt adds warmth to balance the sweetness.
- Sweetener: Add a splash of vanilla extract and your favorite sweetener, such as honey, pure maple syrup, date syrup, brown sugar, or a sugar-free option like monk fruit.
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for baked oats because they soften during baking while still holding their structure.
- Mix-Ins: Chocolate chips, nuts, and fresh or frozen fruit are tasty additions. If using frozen fruit, add it straight from the freezer rather than thawing it first.
What are the best oats for baked oats?
Quick oats tend to produce a softer texture that can become slightly mushy. Steel-cut oats, on the other hand, don’t soften properly and come out too firm or undercooked. If you prefer a soft, cake-like texture, blending rolled oats before baking creates a batter that bakes up light and fluffy.
What can I use instead of bananas?
If you’re anything like my husband, who can’t stand the smell or taste of bananas, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of alternatives to naturally sweeten and bind the oats. Try using applesauce as I do, or swap in pumpkin purée, Greek yogurt, or even a flax egg instead of banana.
Additions and Substitutions
One of the best things about making baked oats without banana is how quickly they come together and how easy they are to customize.
- Add a little protein. Mix in your favorite protein powder, PB2, or a scoop of chia seeds to make the oats more filling.
- Experiment with mix-ins. Fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or diced strawberries, are a classic choice. But raisins, chia seeds, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, Craisins, cocoa powder, or even a pinch of lemon zest are just as delicious.
My Favorite Flavor Variations
Once you get the hang of making baked oats, it’s easy to experiment with different flavors.
- Apple Cinnamon: Stir diced apples and a dash of cinnamon into the oat mixture to make apple cinnamon baked oats.
- Blueberry Lemon: Mix the oats with blueberries and a little lemon zest.
- Carrot Cake: Add grated carrot, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg for a baked oat version of the classic dessert.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Make chocolate baked oats with peanut butter by mixing in cocoa powder and PB2 or a spoonful of peanut butter.
Equipment
Baked oats are just as flexible in how you make them as the ingredients. If you’re using an air fryer, bake the oats in small ramekins or baking dishes that fit comfortably inside the basket.
For oven-baked oats, use a large baking dish to feed a crowd, or a muffin tin or several small baking dishes for single-serve portions, perfect for weekly meal prep.
How to Make Baked Oats Without Bananas
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: (Optional) Add the rolled oats to a high-speed blender and pulse until they resemble oat flour.
Step 2: Transfer the oat mixture to a mixing bowl and whisk in the baking powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt.
Step 3: Stir the applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and honey into the dry ingredients until combined, then fold in your favorite mix-ins.
1. Air Fryer Baked Oats
Divide the batter between several prepared ramekins. Bake in the air fryer at 320℉ (160℃) for 12-15 minutes. Remove the oats and let them cool before serving.
2. Oven-Baked Oats
Transfer the oatmeal mixture to a prepared baking dish or muffin tin, or you can divide it between several baking dishes for individual servings. Bake in the oven at 375℉ (190℃) for 20-25 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
Expert Tips
- Blend the oats. If you prefer a fluffy, cake-like texture, process the rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- Prepare your baking dish. A quick swipe of butter or oil prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Don’t overbake. Baked oats should have a soft center, but overbaking can make them dry.
- Rest the oats. Set the baked oats aside to cool for the best results. Letting them rest for 3-5 minutes improves the texture and lets them firm up slightly as they cool.
If you enjoy this easy baked oats without bananas recipe, try more breakfast favorites!
How to Serve Baked Oats Without Bananas
Baked oats are best served fresh from the air fryer or oven, with a drizzle of melted peanut butter or a dollop of Greek yogurt. Pair them with a fresh fruit bowl, air fryer sausage patties, turkey bacon, and air fryer chicken sausage.
Best Toppings for Baked Oats Without Banana
A few of your favorite toppings can completely change the flavor, depending on your mood for the day. Some of my favorites are:
- Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Diced Apples
- Creamy Toppings: Greek Yogurt, Peanut butter, Almond butter, Coconut Yogurt
- Crunchy Toppings: Granola, Toasted Almonds, Chopped Walnuts, Coconut Flakes
- Sweet Toppings: Honey, Maple Syrup, Chocolate Chips
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days!
- Freeze: Freeze leftover individual servings in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat: Wrap the leftover baked oats in a damp paper towel and warm them in the microwave in 30-second increments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make baked oats without blending?
Blending oats creates a soft, cake-like texture. If you skip the blender, you’ll end up with traditional baked oatmeal with visible oat flakes. Both are delicious, but it depends on what you prefer.
Why are my baked oats dry or gummy?
Dry-baked oats usually happen when there isn’t enough liquid in the batter or when they bake for too long.
Gummy baked oats usually mean the batter was too wet or underbaked. Letting baked oats rest for 5 minutes after baking also helps the texture finish setting.
More Oatmeal Recipes:
Baked Oats Without Bananas
- 4 (4 ounce) Ramekins, or Baking Dish
- 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup applesauce or pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup fresh berries
- ½ cup chopped apples or pears
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- (Optional) Add the rolled oats to a high-speed blender and pulse until they resemble oat flour.
- Transfer the oat mixture to a mixing bowl and whisk in the baking powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Stir the applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and honey into the dry ingredients until combined, then fold in your favorite mix-ins.
- Oven-Baked: Transfer the oatmeal mixture to a prepared baking dish or muffin tin, or you can divide it between several baking dishes for individual servings. Bake in the oven at 375℉ (190℃) for 20-25 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
- Set the oats aside to cool and set for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Blend the oats. If you prefer a fluffy, cake-like texture, process the rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- Prepare your baking dish. A quick swipe of butter or oil prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Don’t overbake. Baked oats should have a soft center, but overbaking can make them dry.
- Rest the oats. Set the baked oats aside to cool for the best results. Letting them rest for 3-5 minutes improves the texture and lets them firm up slightly as they cool.
Marie Johnson
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
I have to rave about this baked oats recipe! I'm always rushing in the mornings so having a tasty and healthy breakfast I can throw together in just minutes is a lifesaver. These oats baked up light and fluffy and the cinnamon-applesauce flavor was to die for. I'll definitely be making this again and again!