Baked Oatmeal
I came across this recipe on the Weight Watchers web forum many years ago and have modified it a little. E.g., it called for 1/2 cup Splenda but it's plenty sweet with all the bananas and who needs chemicals? This one uses more oats and less milk, so it isn't soggy, and more spices. I usually add walnuts and blueberries which weren't in the original recipe.Despite its homely name I love it. It's easy to make, full of healthy ingredients, light, moist, chewy, flavorful, and especially nice to make in winter when you want to heat up your kitchen with the oven. (Any left-over canned pumpkin keeps in the refrigerator for a while and can be used for several batches over time.)
Servings 16
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups dry uncooked oatmeal (regular, not quick or instant)
- 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 or 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional)
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind of milk is fine)
- 2 large bananas (or 3 small bananas)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (or canned pumpkin or more banana)
- 1 tsp vanilla
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional but highly recommended)
- 1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries (optional, but highly recommended. If frozen, do NOT thaw first. Take them out of the freezer at the last minute so they are frozen when you stir them in. Otherwise, the dough will turn purple.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients in a blender or separate bowl.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix. Then stir in walnuts and blueberries (if using those).
- Spread in lightly oiled 8×8 or 11×7" pan.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. They should be moist and chewy but not soggy. Maybe a little crispy along the edges.
- Cut into 16 squares. Store in refrigerator.
- Eat cold, or, it's good heated up in the microwave (with a tiny bit of butter on top if you aren't worried about calories).
Variations I've tried. Very good.
- Use craisins (sweetened dried cranberries) instead of blueberries.
- Use chopped prunes instead of blueberries.
Variations that I haven't yet tried that might be good (untested, try at your own risk!!!)
- Use raisins instead of blueberries.
- Use chopped apple instead of blueberries.
- Perhaps use more pumpkin/applesauce and less milk.
- Perhaps add a little butter or oil in place of some of the milk.
Notes
WW Points Per Serving: 0 (without walnuts), 1 (with walnuts)