Chocolate Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal (Vegan Gluten-Free)

Warm, fudgy and delicious Chocolate Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal that is quick to make and bake in 20 minutes. This vegan, gluten-free and wholesome breakfast is amazing warm or cold and is great to meal prep, too.

You can watch a recipe video here, too.

The recipe for these baked oats, or oatmeal, was first published back in February 2019. Wow, does that seem like a long time ago. Seeing as it is one of my most visited and re-made recipes on my website, I thought it deserved a little glow up. So, I’ve shared a recipe video and new photos, as well as one or two tiny tweaks to the original recipe. II you loved the old version, fear not, I have outlined the changes below.

What makes this Chocolate Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal so special?

These oats are popular for good reason, they are:

• Rich, chocolatey and cake-like
• Moist, fluffy and tender
• Studded with chocolate chips and cacao nibs
• Topped with gooey sticky banana
• A great make-ahead breakfast or brunch
• Easy to increase to make enough oatmeal for a crowd
• Naturally vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and soya-free
• It tastes like dessert (aka chocolate banana bread) for breakfast!

If you are already a fan, read on for the recipe card below, or, let’s first discuss the ingredients and method in a little more detail.

What ingredients go into this baked oatmeal?

The ingredients are basic staples but come together to make something magical:

• Banana: the obvious ingredient! The riper the bananas are better for this recipe, much like for banana bread, but it’s not essential. Note that riper bananas are sweeter so if you are using less ripe bananas, you will want to add the maple syrup.
• Oats: another obvious ingredient for baked oats. I use quick cook oats, but other oats will work and make sure they are gluten-free where needed.
• Plant-based milk: any milk will work well here like oat, almond, coconut or even pea milk (there are some delicious ones!).
• Chia seeds: this helps to make the oatmeal really thick, cake-like and enables it to hold its shape. You can similarly use ground flaxseed, too.
• Raw cacao powder: or cocoa powder for the chocolate element. I have halved the amount of cacao powder this time round to make for the chocolate protein powder, but you still use all the cacao powder, if you like.
• Chocolate protein powder: this is a new addition to the recipe. While I love using all cacao powder, I know a lot of people love the flavour and added protein that protein powders add, so I have added the option to include this in this oatmeal. If you are using protein powder, make sure it’s vegan, where needed. I love the one from Awesome Supps and AMY10 saves you 10%.
• Cacao nibs: for the chocolate goodness. I love the crunch the cacao nibs add to the oats.
• Chocolate chips: this is another new addition to the recipe, as I have kept some of the cacao nibs but also added chocolate chips. You can skip the chocolate and use all cacao nibs, if you like and vice versa.
• Baking powder: for the rise.
• Vanilla: for the flavour but it’s not essential.
• Salt: to enhance the oats.

How do I make these baked oats?

The oats come together in one bowl and in less than 5 minutes, watch the video here:

• Mash the banana: until smooth.
• Add in all the other ingredients: and mix until a thick batter forms.
• Slice the second banana: add some to the base of the ramekins.
• Pour in the oats: and top with the extra banana slices.
• Bake for 15 minutes: until risen, firm to the touch and cake-like.

That’s all there is to it and then you are ready to dig in.

How do I serve this Chocolate Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal?

I like to have them warm, or cold, always with a dollop of thick yoghurt, some runny nut butter and fresh fruit. But, you can serve it on its own or with anything else.

Are these oats gluten-free and nut-free?

Yes, these are naturally gluten-free and nut-free, just make sure the oats are gluten-free and the plant-based milk is nut-free, where needed. Make sure your toppings are nut-free, as needed, too.

I love breakfast, what other recipes do you have?

I hope you are going to love this oatmeal recipe, and if you are looking for more breakfast inspiration, how about my:

• Triple Chocolate Brownie Baked Oats
• Apple Streusel Parfait Jars
• Neapolitan Breakfast Oat Jars
• Nutty Blueberry Breakfast Muffins
• Apple and Vanilla Quick Soak Overnight Oats

I would love to hear what you think of these Chocolate Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal so please let me know in the comments below. If you do make these oats, I would love to see them so please tag me on social media – I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy.I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With baked oatmeal love x