15 Things You Can Bake With Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the most versatile and nostalgic ingredients to bake with. Whether you’ve quick classic rolled or quick oats lying around in your pantry, there are endless ways to transform the protein-rich ingredient into a beautiful baked good. From classics like oatmeal raisin cookies to big-batch baked oats, here are 15 ways to bake with oatmeal that’ll have you running straight to your kitchen!
1. Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal has become super popular, especially in the food blogger community. With tons of flavor options for baked oats, this cinnamon roll baked oatmeal is a great starting point! Cinnamon and oats are a match made in heaven, and this twist on a classic pastry is the ultimate treat if you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth.
2. Honey Oat Bread
Oats are actually a great agent to use when making bread, like in this Honey Oat Bread! Whether you’re enjoying it as toast for breakfast, a vehicle for a sandwich, or just as a quick snack, this light and airy loaf is sure to satisfy your hankering for oats. And while making your own bread might sound like a huge undertaking, this recipe is totally fool proof. The hardest part of it is waiting for it to come out of the oven!
3. Oatmeal Cream Pies
Sandwich cookies are one of man’s best inventions, and luckily, a copycat version of those Little Debbie hand pies that everyone had in their school lunches are pretty simple to make from scratch! If you know how to make frosting and oatmeal cookies, you’ve already got this baked good down to a tee. Plus, everyone needs a good cookie every now and then, and these classic oatmeal cream pies are sure to please any crowd.
4. Oatmeal Cookies
Oatmeal cookies are a classic baked item that ooze nostalgia. There are probably thousands of oatmeal cookie recipes out there because of the dozens of ways you can spruce up the simple recipe, but chocolate chips are a universal favorite add-in for this cookie.
This Dark Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie recipe is, in my opinion, the superior oatmeal cookie recipe. With chunks of dark chocolate and flaky sea salt for garnish, this oatmeal cookie brings different textures together and also incorporates molasses for that rich, classic oatmeal cookie flavor. Your taste buds will definitely thank you for making a batch of these!
5. Granola Clusters
For an oatmeal-based baked snack, granola is the ultimate go-to. It pairs well with yogurt and fruit, but is also delicious on its own! Granola clusters are an easy answer for an on-the-go bite, but most store bought varieties are loaded with sugar and preservatives. Luckily, this oat granola cluster recipe is really easy to make and can be made with as many or as few add-ins as you desire.
6. Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is back on our list, but this Blueberry Baked Oatmeal recipe takes on a more spring-friendly flavor with blueberries and walnuts! Chilling your prepared dish in the refrigerator overnight also lets the flavors develop, making for an even richer treat the next morning you bake it. You won’t regret making this delicious oatmeal bake with the oats lying around in your pantry!
7. Apple Crisp
Ina Garten (better known by the name of her Food Network series, “The Barefoot Contessa”) is an absolute queen in the kitchen, and her Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp recipe is a sure fan favorite! Its got an oatmeal topping that’s crunchy and sweet, while its classic apple filling is packed with a citrus-y punch due to the incorporation of juice from both oranges and lemons. Like all of her recipes, this apple crisp features a richness that’s indescribably delicious without being too heavy. And although she uses lots of fall flavors, this apple crisp is a delicious thing to bake any time you have oatmeal on deck!
8. Banana Oatmeal Muffins
If you’re bananas for bananas, look no further than to this Banana Oatmeal Muffin recipe to satisfy your craving! Using oats as a substitute for flour, this gluten-free recipe is also dairy-free, making it not only a healthy breakfast option, but a great way to start your day if you’re in a hurry and need to grab something quick. Plus, it’s easy to customize, so you can add in whatever fruits, chocolate, or nuts your heart desires!
9. Homemade Granola Bars
Another great on-the-go oatmeal recipe are homemade granola bars, which are super healthy and packed with protein. While some recipes are no-bake, this recipe requires you to put your bars in the oven, giving them a crunchy and sweet finish. If you love Nature Valley but hate all the added sugar, put your oatmeal to use with this perfect snack!
10. Cinnamon Oat Scones
Cinnamon Oat Scones are a great, not-too-sweet treat for breakfast or or as a snack. This recipe will give you a soft bite with lots of chewiness, and is finished off with a simple glaze. If you love oatmeal cookies, this will give you similar vibes, just in a scone form!
11. Strawberry Oat Bread
Strawberries and oatmeal are a match made in heaven, which is why Strawberry Oat Bread is a great way to use oatmeal. This recipe will give you the most ridiculously flavorful, moist loaf you’ve ever tasted, and is perfect for strawberry season. It can also be enjoyed year round, though, for an easy breakfast, brunch, or light snack!
12. Oatmeal Brittle
The only thing better than an oatmeal cookie itself is this Oat Brittle, which is an interesting take on a dessert staple. By spreading a mixture of various binders with oats, once you bake this glorious treat you’ll end up with a huge, breakable slab or sweet, crispy oats! Oat brittle is super convenient to take with you as a road trip snack or when you’re in a hurry, but would also make for a fantastic edible gift.
13. Muesli Baked Oatmeal
Muesli is an oat mixture that is used to make overnight oats, normally consisting of oats combined with various dried fruits, nuts, or seeds. It’s super tasty once soaked in yogurt or milk, giving you a soft, nourishing version of a classic bowl of oatmeal. But you can take your muesli to the next level by baking it!
This Muesli Baked Oatmeal recipe is the perfect in-between texture of regular oatmeal and overnight oats; it’s hearty and has got a little bit of a chew, but isn’t soupy or viscous in the slightest. It also avoids the crumbly texture you’d normally get from working with muesli by using just the right amount of milk.
14. Almond Oat Strawberry Shortcakes
This strawberry shortcake has what we’d call not-your-average-biscuits; by finely grinding oats and almonds into the dough, Bon Appetit has proven to us that this summer staple can also be made with oatmeal! You can enjoy this treat this summer knowing it’s got added nutritional value from these protein-rich ingredients, that also make for a delectable texture.
15. Jam Bars
Berry picking is the ultimate summer activity. But if you don’t know what to do with your findings, making jam is always a fun option! These jam bars use both rolled oats AND oat flour to achieve a toothy bite, which is a beautiful accompaniment to these savory and tart bars. You’ll definitely want this treat at your next cookout or picnic!
