When it comes to make-ahead breakfasts, you can't beat a good baked oatmeal recipe. All of your favorite trail mix ingredients are in this one!
When our family heads out on hikes, my youngest son (T) has an oversensitive radar for good scenery and view spots. And when I say view spots, I mean snack spots. “Mum, Dad, isn’t this a pretty view? And…where’s the beef jerky?” And then, “I think I should do a quality control taste test on those granola bites.” If it was up to T, we’d be stopping to enjoy the “view” every half mile or so!
For years, trail has been the quintessential trail mix snack, and the variations are virtually endless. One of these days, I’ll share my family’s favorite trail mix combinations with you. A couple of those combos have shown up in my Trail Mix Chocolate Bark and now this baked oatmeal.
As I mentioned when I shared my first baked oatmeal recipe, oatmeal has never really been my thing. I lay full blame on my grade 9 home economics teacher, who made us taste 20 kinds of cooked cereal in the course of 30 minutes. The queasy feeling hit me after the first five.
However, the firm, cooked texture of baked oatmeal changed the whole oatmeal game for me. No wet, soft texture. Rather, it’s more like a baked granola bar or dessert bar. I can do dessert bars!
We seem to have an unlimited supply of dried fruit and raw nuts in our pantry, so I just rummaged through to find the best combination. Of course, that’s completely subjective, so feel free to use any trail mix variation that appeals to you.
I thought about adding chocolate chips to the oatmeal. Who doesn’t love chocolate chips in their trail mix?! But I really wanted to make this a healthy breakfast option. Out with the chocolate chips, in with the unsweetened cocoa powder. The cocoa powder gave it the perfect chocolate-y twist while stopping me from getting twitchy about serving chocolate to my kids at breakfast.
Make this at the beginning of the week, and enjoy it for the rest of the week! Just put a piece in a bowl, pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds and serve it with milk, if you wish.
Other make-ahead breakfast recipes:
Baked Egg, Broccoli & Feta Breakfast Casserole
Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins
Printable Recipe
Chocolate Trail Mix Baked Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats I use Bob's Red Mill
- 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 â…” cup nonfat milk
- â…“ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil cooled
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- â…“ cup chopped dried apricots
- â…“ cup dried cherries
- â…“ cup chopped raw almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the steel cut oats, flaxseed, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, egg and vanilla.
- Stir the milk mixture into the oat mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add the dried apricots, dried cherries and almonds, and stir again.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Bake until the oatmeal is set and golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 9 squares. Serve with additional milk, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Martha
Could Gluten Free Oatmeal be substituted for the steel cut oats?
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
The last time I made baked oatmeal, it was your recipe. I loved it. Now I'm going to have to try this one too. Thanks!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
I just LOVE a good baked oatmeal! And I love that this version is trail mix inspired. Sounds delicious!
eat good 4 life
This is totally genius. I would love to make two trays of this it looks so good!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
Make ahead breakfasts are my thing! Kids will surely enjoy this ! Can't wait to give this a try!
Megan Keno
Normally I don't eat a lot of oatmeal just because I don't like show mushy it is, but I love that this baked! Such a great idea!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
This is EXACTLY how I feel about oatmeal. Never a fan of a normal bowl of oatmeal, but I do enjoy baked oatmeal.
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
This sounds great
C. Marie
Can’t wait to eat a bowl of this for breakfast! I am always ready for some baked oatmeal—especially one bursting with yummy chocolate flavor!
Liz
Thank you Dara for the nice recipe.