Almond Croissant Inspired Baked Oats

Baked oats might be my favourite twist on classic oatmeal - I love how you can switch up the flavour combinations to suit any mood you're in!

I always use this recipe as a base which tastes great on it's own or customise it with the suggestions below. I recently added frozen cherries to this mixture for a Cherry Bakewell inspired oats!

Ingredients:

Serves. 1

• 1 ripe banana, mashed

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/4 cup almond flour

• 1 tablespoons almond butter

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)

• 1/4 cup milk of choice (almond milk, oat milk, etc.)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Pinch of salt

• Optional toppings: sliced banana, chopped nuts, flaked almonds, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, berries

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease a small baking dish or individual ramekin with cooking spray or oil.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth. Add the almond butter, maple syrup or honey (if using), milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, almond flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until everything is evenly combined into a thick batter.

4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish or ramekin. I sometimes like to add flaked almonds before cooking.

5. Bake: Place the baking dish or ramekin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the oats are set and lightly golden on top.

6. Serve: Once baked, remove the dish or ramekin from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve the baked oats warm, topped with your favourite toppings such as sliced banana, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, or berries.

Storage: Leftover baked oats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

Exploring Other Fillings:

While banana, almond flour, and almond butter create a delicious base for baked oats, there are endless possibilities for incorporating additional fillings to customise the recipe to your taste preferences. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Fruit Varieties: Experiment with different fruits such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, diced apples or cherries. Top tip: use frozen fruit. You don't need to defrost before using, simply mix frozen into your oat mix.

2. Nutty Additions: Enhance the texture and flavour of your baked oats by incorporating chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans.

3. Seeds and Grains: Add nutritional variety and texture to your baked oats by mixing in seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds, or pumpkin seeds, or grains such as cooked quinoa or buckwheat groats.