Chocolate Brownie Baked Oatmeal Recipe

This single-serving chocolate baked oatmeal recipe is a quick and easy breakfast (or dessert!) option that can be made in just one bowl and is easily adapted to be vegan. There is no banana needed, it’s egg-free, and this chocolate oatmeal bake tastes just like a rich, chocolatey brownie. Have it again for dessert, or really indulge in some actual brownies ;)

I’ve been known to eat these chocolate brownie baked oats for breakfast, and then again at dessert later that night. Once with my morning coffee, and then later with a glass of dessert wine. Mmmm.

This baked oats recipe is made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, cocoa powder, and oat milk, and is packed with fiber to keep you feeling satisfied. The addition of mini chocolate chips adds a touch of indulgence that makes it feel like a treat, while the use of maple syrup as a sweetener keeps it refined sugar free. Pretty sweet deal, right?

… get it? Sweet deal? You get it.

Key Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats – You want to use rolled oats and not steel cut oats, as steel cut will be a bit too firm.
• All-purpose flour – You can swap this for gluten-free flour if you’d like. I haven’t tried it with alternative flours like almond flour before, but if you do – let me know how it turns out!
• Cocoa powder – I use either unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao, depending on what I have on hand. If you’re vegan, make sure you’re using 100% pure cacao.
• Baking powder – To give it a little rise when it bakes.
• Milk – You can use whatever kind of dairy or plant-based milk you like. I usually use unsweetened oat milk for mine, and it works perfectly.
• Maple syrup – This adds sweetness without having to use refined sugars like brown sugar. If you’re not vegan, you could use honey instead.
• Oil – I use either extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or melted coconut oil. Remember – refined coconut oil has a less coconut-y flavor, while unrefined has a strong coconut flavor.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (aff link) both work well.
• Chocolate chips – I prefer to use mini chocolate chips, but you could use regular-sized chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.

How to Make Chocolate Baked Oats

Helpful Tips

• Underbake it a bit. I like to leave mine a little under-baked so that it’s more like brownie batter than a fully cooked brownie, but you could totally leave it in the oven a bit longer if you’d like to firm it up more.
• Put extra chocolate chips on top. Right before baking, add a sprinkle of chocolate chips on top – and maybe even a little pinch of flake sea salt for some sweet and salty action.
• Speaking of chocolate chips, use mini chocolate chips if you can. They melt a little better in this form and don’t leave you with as many giant chunks of chocolate. Of course, if that’s what you’re going for, by all means, use the normal-sized chips!

Substitutions & Variations

• To make vegan brownie baked oatmeal, use:
  • Non-dairy plant-based milk
  • Maple syrup
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Vegan chocolate chips
  • 100% pure cacao
• Swap the cocoa powder for peanut butter protein powder for a change in flavor.
• Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, or even coconut flakes.
• Add a swirl of almond butter to the batter just before baking. Place a few dollops of almond butter on top, then use a knife to swirl it around.
• Top with fresh fruit like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries or blueberries.
• If you’re making this for dessert, top with some ice cream and whipped cream – trust me on this, it’s wonderful.

How to Store Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Admittedly, I made this a single-serving baked oatmeal recipe so that you wouldn’t have to worry about leftovers.

But if you decided to make extra and needed to store leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze Baked Oatmeal?

You sure can – store in a freezer-safe airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, and then pop it in the microwave or oven to reheat.

For what it’s worth, it’s also delicious cold! Almost like overnight oats.

Other Oat Recipes

• Instead of baked oats, try making some chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
• Don’t want chocolate, but still want oats? My blueberry muffin overnight oats can be served cold or warm.
• Go straight to dessert with my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or lace cookies

FAQs

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