The Ultimate Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Make breakfast feel like a treat with this decadent Brownie Baked Oatmeal. This is a great breakfast to serve kids who will feel like they’re eating cake! It’s full of protein to help you start the day right and filling oats to keep you full until lunch. 

With a serving of fruit, this breakfast is healthier than donuts but tastes just as sweet. Plus, it’s easy to prep and can be made in advance. You can even freeze a batch to pull out on busy mornings. This simple recipe is sure to make your menu rotation. 

Customization and Hacks

Brownie Baked Oatmeal has a variety of ways to make it unique. Here’s a little inspiration, so you never get bored. 

• Swap milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet, butterscotch, mint, or white chocolate. There are so many options on store shelves! If you want to make it extra special, you can use Andes mint pieces or Heath bar bites. 

• Use 1 cup of applesauce instead of bananas. 
• Swap the peanut butter for almond butter or even sun butter. 
• If you want a less sweet Brownie Baked Oatmeal, eliminate the honey. You can substitute the honey for liquid stevia (to taste), equal amounts of maple syrup, coconut sugar, or regular sugar. 
• If you want cakier oatmeal, bake longer. Since this recipe doesn’t have eggs, the baking time can vary. 
• For a Tex-Mex touch, add ½ teaspoon of chili powder. It sounds weird, but tastes fantastic! 
• For a peanut butter baked oatmeal, eliminate the cacao and add a few more chocolate chips. 

Brownie Baked Oatmeal Ingredients

This easy oatmeal breakfast contains simple ingredients found in most well-stocked pantries. There’s nothing better than looking at a recipe and seeing you already have half the ingredients! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping cart. 

Bananas. Bananas add moisture and flavor to this oatmeal. I recommend using spotted and mushy bananas, as they are the sweetest. You can also use bananas that you’ve flash-frozen and thawed.

To flash-freeze bananas, peel them and lay them on a baking tray. Place in the freezer until solid, then remove from the tray. Store in a freezer bag. You can use the bananas in smoothies, baked oatmeal, or to make banana ice cream.

Nut Butter. This ingredient is essential to creating a wonderful texture. It also adds a boost of protein and healthy fat! The Brownie Baked Oatmeal pictured uses regular chunky peanut butter, but you can use whatever nut butter you wish. 

Many people love the taste of almond butter because it’s hearty yet simplistic. 

Almond milk. The liquid keeps the consistency of this oatmeal similar to a brownie. I used unsweetened almond milk, but regular milk, oat milk, or soy milk will also work. 

Honey. I love adding syrupy sweeteners to this oatmeal because it keeps the dish moist. Honey adds just the right amount of sweetness and pairs well with bananas. If you get raw local honey, you have all the benefits specific to your location. Plus, you’re supporting locals, which is always a fun perk.

Vanilla extract. Vanilla is the secret ingredient that makes this recipe awesome. A little goes a long way and makes your house smell amazing. I recommend pure vanilla because the flavor is better, and you don’t need as much. 

Oats. The oatmeal you see pictured was made with old-fashioned oats. This variation of oats creates a textured breakfast. If you prefer a fudgier oatmeal, you can use quick oats. 

Old-fashioned oats are sometimes called rolled oats, depending on your locale. 

Cacao Powder. Cacao powder is a swap that many try when implementing healthy habits. It tastes similar to cocoa powder but has more antioxidants. It’s less processed than cocoa powder, giving it a more authentic taste.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda. These two ingredients come in small amounts but are essential to this dish. Without them, the Brownie Baked Oatmeal would lack a baked texture and be more like porridge.

Chocolate chips. This recipe isn’t heavy on the chocolate, but a few chocolate chips here and there are divine. I used milk chocolate chips because they’re the sweetest. A little goes a long way! 

Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon. Warm spices add a cozy touch to this elaborate breakfast. My favorite is pumpkin pie spice, a blend of nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon. You can also use plain cinnamon to give it a similar effect. 

How to Make Brownie Baked Oatmeal

This easy recipe comes together in less than an hour. Here’s how to make this delicious breakfast. 

Step One: Mash the Bananas

Preheat the oven to 350℉ and grease an 8 x 8-inch pan. In a large bowl, mix the bananas until smooth. You can also do this using your stand mixer. 

Step Two: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Add the peanut butter, almond milk, honey, and vanilla to the mashed bananas. Mix until homogenous. 

Step Three: Add Dry Ingredients

Add the oats, cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until just combined. 

Step Four: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Last, fold in the chocolate chips and pumpkin pie spice. 

Step Five: Spread in Pan

Pour the mixture into an 8 x 8-inch pan and spread evenly. 

Step Six: Bake

Bake the Brownie Baked Oatmeal for 30 minutes or until set. Serve with berries and whipped cream if desired. Enjoy! 

More Breakfast Ideas

Want more fun breakfast inspiration? Check out these tasty recipes. You won’t be able to make them just once! 

Everything Bagel Avocado Toast. Ready in just 5 minutes, this delicious avocado toast starts your day the healthy way. Creamy avocado, a sprinkle of seasoning, and a touch of honey. What could be better? 

Homemade Granola. This breakfast is so versatile. Enjoy it on top of thick, tangy yogurt or as a substitute for cereal. Either way, you have a winning breakfast that you can’t beat. 

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats. Decadent, rich, delicious. These are just a few words that describe this easy meal. Kids love this breakfast because it tastes like Reese’s cups! 

What’s your favorite healthy breakfast? Let us know in the comments! 

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