Vegan Oatmeal Breakfast Bake (Paleo, Keto option)
An easy, healthy and delicious baked oatmeal breakfast recipe, loaded with blueberries, strawberries, and other fruit! Packed with protein and no added sugar, these soft baked breakfast bars are vegan and gluten-free! They also come with a tested keto and paleo option.
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Casserole
Baked oatmeal is an easy and portable breakfast choice, perfect to make the night before and enjoy during the week. It can come in a variety of flavors and variations, like cinnamon roll baked oatmeal, strawberry baked oatmeal and carrot cake baked oatmeal.
With summer right around the corner, it’s perfect to load them up with fresh blueberries, strawberries and more!
This mixed berry baked oatmeal is a cross between a delicious breakfast casserole and an overnight French toast bake (minus the toast!). It’s soft, chewy and loaded with sweet, tangy and juicy flavors. Let’s not forget about those hints of chocolate too! In fact, this breakfast bake reminds me of those diner style soft baked oatmeal breakfast bars!
This healthy oatmeal breakfast bake is perfect for those who meal-prep, want something easy and healthy and also something which can be made ahead of time. It’s naturally packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and has no added sugar whatsoever.
The original recipe is 100% vegan and gluten-free, as it is made without eggs or dairy. However, I wanted my keto and paleo friends to enjoy this recipe too, so I’ve included an option to make this oatless and low carb!
How to make a vegan oatmeal breakfast bake
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine your rolled oats, mashed banana, peanut butter, and vanilla extract and mix well. Fold in half your mixed berries using a rubber spatula.
Step 3: Transfer the baked oatmeal batter into the lined pan and spread out on an even layer. Top with the other half of mixed berries and any other mix-ins. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean from the center.
Step 4: Allow the breakfast bake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut into 8 bars.
How to make a keto and paleo ‘oatmeal’ breakfast bake
To give this recipe a keto and paleo make-over, there are a few key changes that need to be made.
The main ones being omitting the oats and pumpkin, and replacing them with other alternatives, like almond flour and pumpkin puree.
Also take note of the other changes, along with baking times, as they will differ slightly.
Can you use frozen berries?
Fresh or frozen berries can be used for this recipe!
If you use fresh fruit, that is great and no changes need to be made. If you opt to use frozen fruit, you’ll need to thaw your berries to room temperature and remove any excess liquid. This will avoid the breakfast bake to be soggy and undercooked.
Other Mix-In ideas for this healthy breakfast bake
Berries on their own taste great, but definitely feel free to add other fun ingredients!
Nuts and Seeds- Hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, and pecans are all fantastic to include! Sunflower seeds, pepitas, and shredded coconut are also great!
Chocolate Chips- For the oatless option, use stevia sweetened chocolate chips. For the vegan recipe, use dairy free chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips.
Dried fruit- Raisins, dried apricots, and dried pineapple.
Storing vegan baked oatmeal
This breakfast baked oatmeal should be stored in the fridge, to ensure it doesn’t spoil. Store leftovers in either a sealed container or covered on a plate. This will keep for a week.
TIP! If you are making this recipe as part of a meal-prep for the week ahead, wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and place them in small ziplock bags.
Can you freeze vegan baked oatmeal?
Breakfast baked oatmeal is freezer friendly and can be stored in the freezer to enjoy at a later date. Wrap the oatmeal in parchment paper and place in a container or ziplock bag (again, for meal-prepping, this is great!).
Freezing them will keep for 2 months.
To enjoy from the freezer, allow thawing at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. To reheat baked oatmeal, you can either microwave it or toast in the oven.
Tips and Tricks for the PERFECT Vegan Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Recipe
Oven makes and models vary, to use the cooking time as a guide. You don’t want your breakfast bake over-cooked but you also don’t want it to underdone, or it will fall apart. Remember, it will continue to cook while cooling in the pan.
To keep this breakfast casserole nut-free, replace the peanut butter with one of the following- Sunflower seed butter, wow butter or smooth tahini.
For a more soft-baked oatmeal bar recipe, swap out the rolled oats for quick oats.
If you make the keto/paleo option, use blanched almond flour, instead of almond meal. This will yield a lighter, more flavorful breakfast bake. Also, if you don’t have access to keto maple syrup and don’t follow a strict keto diet, you can replace it with either pure maple syrup or agave nectar.
More healthy breakfast recipes
- Flourless Breakfast Bars
- Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Paleo Breakfast Cookies
- Overnight Protein Oatmeal
- Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Vegan Oatmeal Breakfast Bake (Paleo, Keto option)
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 2 large bananas
- 1/2 cup peanut butter can sub for any nut or seed butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mixed berries of choice
- 1/4 cup mix-ins of choice Optional
For the keto (oatless) and paleo option
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4-1/2 cup pumpkin puree * See notes
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup keto maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mixed berries of choice
- 1/4 cup mix-ins of choice Optional
Instructions
For the vegan and gluten free option
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients, except for the berries and mix-ins, until fully combined. Fold in half the berries and mix-ins of choice.
- Transfer the breakfast bake batter to the lined pan and spread out using a rubber spatula. Top with the remaining fruit and mix-ins. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
- Allow breakfast bake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the keto (oatless) and paleo option
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Set aside two mixing bowls. In one, add your dry ingredients and mix well. In the other, add the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Combine your dry and wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in half your berries and mix-ins.
- Pour the batter in the lined pan and spread out in an even layer. Top with remaining mix-ins and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out just clean.
- Cool the breakfast bake in the pan for 15 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
The best breakfast option I have had in a long time, they were divine – this recipe is a keeper. I had mine with a dollop of coconut yoghurt
Thank you so much for the feedback, Karen- The addition of yoghurt sounds great!
Should I blend the oats first or should we use them whole?
You can keep them whole! 🙂
Hi Arman I’m definitely going to make these. I’m Keto and the only change I’m going to make is a swap from oatmeal to Hemp Hearts. They are the perfect 1 for 1 swap, and healthy and delicious.
Can you use frozen fruit for this recipe? What are some of the optional 1/4 cup mix ins?
Yes! Any nuts, seeds, or fruit.