Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Name: Brownie Baked Oatmeal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (quick oats will work, too); 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (sub: more oats); 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/3 – 1/2 cup honey (sub: pure maple syrup) (Note: I also replace some of the honey with liquid stevia to cut back on sugar sometimes.); 2 tablespoons avocado oil (sub: melted coconut oil or butter); 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; 1 cup milk (your choice); 2 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla; Optional: 1/4 – 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

★★★★★ 4.9 /5

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By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 3/23/22Updated: 11/16/23

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Brownie Baked Oatmeal tastes and looks like dessert…but it’s actually a fairly healthy breakfast (or lunch or dinner or snack). This recipe is a fan favorite!

baked chocolate oatmeal in glass dish with a few pieces cut out of it

My kids and I developed this recipe many years ago, after testing several versions of this original one I made. My kids ask for this oatmeal all the time. I didn’t even know they liked oatmeal very much until this came along.

Table of Contents

Why Make Brownie Baked Oatmeal

As a mom, I’m always looking for breakfast options for my family that aren’t filled with junk ingredients and that will keep us satiated all morning. This baked oatmeal does the trick! It’s filled with nutritious, real food ingredients (keep reading) AND it tastes like dessert! Win-win!

Plus, you can double the recipe and freeze one for later, using our freezing instructions. We say this all the time, but making freezer meals is one of the best uses of your time in the kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

What is healthy about this Chocolate Oatmeal, you ask? Well, let’s take a look at the ingredients and some of the benefits.

Oatmeal – fiber
Flaxseed – fiber, healthy fat
Eggs – protein
Milk – protein, calcium
Avocado oil – healthy fat
Pumpkin – vitamin A, fiber
Honey – all-natural sweetener
Cocoa powder – antioxidants
Dark chocolate chips – antioxidants
Other ingredients – baking powder, salt, cinnamon, vanilla

white bowl with chocolate baked oatmeal in it and raspberries on top

Instructions

This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how it goes…

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. (Note: Our pic is missing the cocoa powder. Oops!)

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients

Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Stir them together and then stir in the chocolate chips. (A spoon might work better than a whisk for this job. We got lazy. Hee, hee.)

chocolate baked oatmeal batter in a mixing bowl

Step 4: Pour into a Baking Dish

Spread the batter in a greased 9×13 inch dish.

At this point, you can freeze this dish. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and pop on the lid or wrap the dish in a few layers of foil or plastic wrap.

chocolate oatmeal batter in a glass dish

Step 5: Bake the Oatmeal

Bake for about 20 minutes or until the middle is just set.

Step 6: Serve Warm

We love it served warm in a bowl with fruit (like banana, strawberries, or raspberries) and milk on top. Or you can eat it almost like a soft granola bar.

a hand holding a bowl of chocolate oatmeal with a spoon

What to Serve with Chocolate Oatmeal

This sweeter baked oatmeal pairs well with a high-protein savory breakfast dish like these egg recipes.

More Baked Oatmeal Dishes You’ll Love

If you enjoy baked oatmeal as much as our families do, give a few of these others a try. They all work well to freeze before baking, as well.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Serving of Dark Chocolate Banana Baked Oatmeal on a plate with sliced strawberries and bananas.

Dark Chocolate Banana Baked Oatmeal (with Sneaky Spinach)

Banana Baked Oatmeal

Baked Chocolate Steel Cut Oatmeal

FAQs

Can you prep Baked Oatmeal ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep baked oatmeal (unbaked) ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3-6 months. Thaw and bake per instructions.
You can also fully cook and cool the baked oatmeal ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just rewarm individual portions in the microwave. Our readers have told us that they freeze fully cooked, individual portions of baked oatmeal in the freezer, as well, and rewarm in the microwave.

Can you use quick oats in baked oatmeal?

While you can use quick oats in baked oatmeal, it’s best to use rolled oats because they give the dish a heartier texture. Quick oats or instant oats can result in a denser, mushier result.

Is baked oatmeal gluten-free or dairy-free?

Baked oatmeal can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with these substitutions:
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free milk in the recipe.
Gluten-Free Option: Make sure your oats say “gluten-free” on the package.

Can I make this in an 8×8-inch square dish?

Yes, this recipe will also work in a smaller dish. Just cook it 10-15 minutes longer or until it’s set in the middle.

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!