Chocolate Banana Baked Oats

Starting in college, oatmeal has become one of my all-time favorite breakfast foods. You can truly be creative with oats by adding whatever toppings you desire, which allows for the flavor possibilities to be never-ending.

While I've always loved to experiment with different flavors, I have never truly delved into the category of baked oats, but now that I've tried them, it's easy to understand why everybody loves them! Baked oats is the perfect way to feel like you're eating cake for breakfast - which is reason enough in my books to try it out.

So, if you're looking for a fairly simple baked oat recipe that is sure to make you feel like you're having your dessert for breakfast, then this chocolate banana baked oats recipe is perfect for you! The combination of chocolate and banana is such a classic, and having a warm, cozy version of the flavor combination tastes indulgent while also giving you the long-lasting energy needed for a great day.

Ingredients

- 1 mashed banana

- 1/2 cup of oats

- 1/2 cup of almond milk (or whichever milk you prefer)

- 1 tbsp cacao powder

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp baking powder

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

- Dash of salt

Combine ingredients and then bake at 375 ºF for 16-18 minutes.

Toppings

- Greek yogurt

- Strawberries

- Blueberries

- Raspberries

You can choose to top this with any nut butter, maple syrup, or fruit of your choice. If you prefer a cake-like consistency rather than the consistency of oatmeal, you can choose to blend your oats before mixing it into the batter. Additionally, if you prefer your baked oats to be more firm, add a little less milk or bake an additional couple of minutes.