Brownie Baked Oatmeal

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Reader Rating
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 9 servings

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This brownie baked oatmeal is your excuse to have dessert for breakfast! It bakes in under 25 minutes and uses simple, healthy ingredients. 

brownie baked oatmeal with melted chocolate drizzled on top.

Starting the morning with chocolate always feels like a win, especially when it’s tucked into a breakfast that’s actually nourishing. This brownie baked oatmeal is one of those recipes that manages to feel indulgent while still keeping you full and energized. It’s also the one breakfast my partner regularly requests. 

It was inspired by my oatmeal brownies, but with a little tweaking to strike the right balance between hearty and fudgy. The oats give it real staying power, while the cocoa and chocolate chips create that rich, gooey brownie texture- the kind that makes this feel like a treat rather than just another bowl of oatmeal. 

Table of Contents
  1. Why make my brownie baked oats
  2. Key Ingredients
  3. How to make brownie baked oatmeal
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. How to store leftovers
  6. Brownie Baked Oatmeal (Recipe Card)
  7. More healthy oatmeal recipes

Why make my brownie baked oats

Arman Liew
  • Quick and easy. It takes about 5 minutes of prep work and just 20 minutes in the oven.
  • They are so fudgy. It has the texture of actual brownies. They are thick, fudgy, and almost gooey in the middle.
  • Healthy and filling. My recipe uses a touch of coconut oil instead of butter and replaces most of the added fat with unsweetened applesauce. Because oats are packed with whole grains, fiber, and protein, they keep you full and satisfied until lunch.
  • Great for meal prep. I like to make a batch on the weekends and have a treat-like breakfast sorted for my partner and me during the week.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for brownie baked oats.

Here’s what goes into brownie baked oats, along with my kitchen notes. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

  • Oats. Rolled oats are blended down into a flour-like consistency. This, in turn, will help create a lighter texture instead of a denser one. You can use my homemade oat flour if you prefer.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder. I like using Dutch-processed cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor. For a richer flavor, I sometimes use dark cocoa powder.
  • Salt. You need just a little salt to bring out the sweetness of the chocolate.
  • Eggs. They bind everything together and also add some heart-healthy fats and protein.
  • Coconut oil. We’ll use a little coconut oil to keep the brownies moist. They are a healthier alternative to butter or margarine. Opt for refined coconut oil to avoid any coconut flavor.
  • Unsweetened applesauce. This works as a fabulous alternative to butter or fats in baked goods. It provides moisture without excess calories.
  • Maple syrup. Adds some sweetness to the baked oats without being overpowering. Also, a little goes a very long way. You can use honey or any other liquid sweetener.
  • Chocolate chips. Any chocolate chips work, including semi-sweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips.
  • Milk. Optional,  but if the batter is a little too thick, I like to add a drop of almond milk or coconut milk to loosen things up.

How to make brownie baked oatmeal

Step 1- Make the batter. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Combine them to make your brownie batter. Fold in the chocolate chips gently.

how to make brownie baked oatmeal.

Step 2- Bake the oatmeal. Pour the batter into a large pan and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are firm.

brownie baked oats.

Step 3- Cool, then slice. Let the baked oatmeal cool completely before slicing and serving.

baked oatmeal with chocolate.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Don’t skip the oil. I’ve tested this recipe without any oil, and unfortunately, it dries out a little too much. You need some fat to mimic the richness of traditional brownies.
  • Do not over-whisk your eggs. You want a brownie texture, not a cakey texture. Beat the eggs until just combined. Do not whisk them until foamy.
  • Don’t overbake. The brownie baked oats will continue to set as they cool down (carryover cooking). Once the edges look firm, remove them from the oven.
  • Finely blend your oats. Coarse oat flour will result in dry or dense baked oatmeal. I find the finer the consistency, the more cakey the oatmeal will be.

Recipe variations

  • Add protein powder. Amp up the protein by adding a scoop (1/4 cup) of your favorite protein powder.
  • Make them vegan. I tested these with flax eggs and chia eggs successfully. As for the chocolate, use my vegan chocolate chips.
  • Make them gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free oats. I like Bob’s Red Mill or Anthony’s Kitchen.
  • Use mix-ins such as chia seeds, shredded coconut, or a sprinkling of toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Nut butter is great, and I love adding peanut butter or almond butter.

How to store leftovers

To store. Keep leftover baked oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To freeze. Store leftover portions of brownie baked oatmeal in ziplock bags in the freezer for 6 months.

Reheating. I find the best way to reheat the baked oatmeal is in the microwave for about 45 seconds until the chocolate chips are melty. If you’re reheating multiple portions, you can use the oven.

brownie baked oats.

✅ Nutrition reviewed

“This brownie baked oatmeal is one I often suggest to clients who want a chocolatey breakfast without the mid-morning crash. The oats provide slow-digesting carbohydrates, while added protein and fat help blood sugar stay steady and hunger at bay.” – Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.

brownie baked oatmeal recipe.

Brownie Baked Oatmeal

5 from 61 votes
This brownie baked oatmeal tastes like dessert but works as breakfast. Rich, fudgy, and made with wholesome ingredients that keep you full. 
Servings: 9 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 1 1/4 cups rolled oats blended to a flour-like consistency
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8-inch square pan. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the blended oats, cocoa powder, and salt, and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, coconut oil, applesauce, and maple syrup until just combined.
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Fold through the chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are firm. For gooey baked oatmeal, remove at the 17-minute mark. Let the baked oatmeal cool in the pan completely before slicing and serving. If desired, drizzle with more melted chocolate.

Notes

  • Tips: See my recipe tips above for the best brownie baked oats. 
  • Oat flour: If you have oat flour on hand, you can use one full cup instead of 1 1/4 cups rolled oats blended down.
  • Leftovers: Keep in the fridge, covered, for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I like to reheat portions in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until the chocolate chips are melty. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSodium: 88mgPotassium: 198mgFiber: 4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 73IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 24g
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

More healthy oatmeal recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, I reckon you’ll also enjoy one of these healthier sweet breakfasts that are oat-based:

  • Protein oatmeal– I’ve shared five of my favorite flavors here, including a decadent chocolate protein oatmeal that tastes like dessert.
  • Class baked oats– The viral, single-serving version. This base recipe includes multiple flavor variations to keep breakfast exciting.
  • Cinnamon roll baked oatmeal– Hearty, high-protein, and perfect for meal prep. It’s packed with cozy cinnamon flavor and keeps you full all morning.
  • Protein overnight oats– My #1 go-to make-ahead breakfast. It’s incredibly versatile- top it with nuts, fruits, or nut butter.

Arman Liew

I’m a three time cookbook author, culinary school graduate, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

5 from 61 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Well that was right deadly. Made this for breakfast because life is hard and mug cake for breakfast is a questionable life choice. This was an excellent substitute. I ground 3 or so tbsp of chia up with the oats, 1/4 cup chocolate whey protein and added some milk at the end to loosen it up. And extra chocolate chips…because life is hard.

    1. Haha, Cam- I love that you made this! It is easier than prepping mug cakes, too. Thanks for sharing the tweaks you made- adding extra chocolate chips was definitely the best idea 🙂

  2. I adore this brownie baked oatmeal recipe. It’s seriously like dessert for breakfast and keeps me full all morning. Any high protein sweet breakfasts you can recommend?

  3. 5 stars
    These breakfast brownies are delicious! They hit all the marks for a gluten free and low sugar diet. They are easy to make, filling and perfect for breakfast on the run. Thanks for sharing!

  4. I made your homemade oat flour and did as your suggested and used one cup- this turned out SO good. My niece can’t tolerate GF oats, any alternatives?

    1. Hi Kim- yes, absolutely. I recently tested a batch with buckwheat flakes and it turned out almost identical to when its made with oats. You can also use quinoa flakes, but that can sometimes be a little tricky to find.

    1. Yes, it freezes really well. I’ve included notes in both the body of the post and the recipe card, but up to 6 months 🙂

  5. what would you recommend if subbing the nutella? is it possible to make this without the nutella and the taste still be fairly good?

    thank you!
    Stephanie

      1. Hi Jessie- mashed banana or pumpkin puree are the best alternatives. I prefer banana, but it can be a little overpowering.

  6. I will never understand the point of making such a healthy recipe just to throw it in the MICROWAVE??? Whaaaat. Completely defeats the purpose!

    1. Interestingly, microwave cooking has been found to be no worse, and in some cases better than traditional heat cooking. Because the food is heated for less time, the nutrients are degraded as much as traditional cooking. The heat from a microwave is actually gentler on the nutrients, because it’s really just heat caused from friction of the molecules. There is no radiation, like it was thought in the very early generations of the machines. All in all microwave cooking is healthy … AS LONG AS you don’t heat or reheat in plastic containers. Use glass. And be careful of UNEVEN cooking in a microwave … your food can develop hot spots on the interior.

      1. Sry someone said abou subbing Nutella but there no Nutella used so confused 😅

    2. PS Typo correction … I meant to say nutrients are NOT degraded as much as in traditional heating methods. (I can’t edit my reply to you – sorry)

  7. 5 stars
    Hi! I’m intolerant to Soy, Lactose, gluten & high sugar.Can I use albumin powder as protein power? Thanks for the help!