FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• My Baked Oatmeal Recipe Tastes Like (Healthy) Dessert For Breakfast
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Baked Oatmeal
• My Recipe Tips
• Baked Oatmeal (Easy, Healthy Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

My Baked Oatmeal Recipe Tastes Like (Healthy) Dessert For Breakfast

With all the time I spend creating healthy recipes and this food blog, I’m often up late and my kids grab their own breakfast in the morning. So, I always need new meal prep ideas to make for them the night before — or the weekend before. Here’s why a big batch of this baked oatmeal recipe is perfect:

• Sweet, cozy flavor – Think comforting baked oats laced with creamy peanut butter and a touch of warm cinnamon and vanilla, all dotted with sweet dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. Total healthy-dessert -for-breakfast vibes!
• Customizable texture – You can make my healthy baked oatmeal with a soft, fluffy texture like bread pudding, or bake it for longer to make it firm and chewy.
• Quick and easy, with simple ingredients – I can throw this together in half an hour, without a last-minute grocery run.
• Feel good breakfast – Many baked oatmeal recipes are actually loaded with sugar. Mine has just 2.8 grams per serving, with a balance of protein, fiber, whole grains, and healthy fats. It’s also gluten-free, with dairy-free and nut-free options.
• Family friendly – My kids enjoyed 4 batches of this in a matter of a few weeks while I tested the recipe! (I did have to make a section without the pecans for my youngest. 😉) This is also a wonderful make-ahead brunch for holidays, like Christmas or Mother’s Day .

While I mix it up with other staples like breakfast muffins , overnight oats , and egg bites , this oatmeal bake is always in my rotation. Make it with me and I think it’ll become one of your family faves, too!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my healthy baked oatmeal recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Oats – I recommend rolled oats like this for the best texture. They also make great oatmeal protein balls and protein overnight oats ! Quick oats are okay, but skip steel-cut oats because they’re too dense.
• Peanut Butter – I originally made this baked oatmeal recipe with this sugar-free cookie butter (and my daughter still prefers it over pb), but since we don’t always have it and you might not either, I changed the recipe to peanut butter. Feel free to use the cookie butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free options! Otherwise, you can also swap in almond butter or really any other nut butter.
• Maple Syrup – You don’t need this if using cookie butter, but I recommend it for sweetness if you choose nut (or seed) butter. I prefer Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup to avoid added sugar. I’ve also tried granulated sweetener ( Besti ) and while I don’t usually suggest replacing liquid sweeteners with dry ones, it works fine in this recipe.
• Eggs – For structure. Flax eggs work well as a substitute. You can also swap in a mashed banana, but I find it doesn’t hold together as well.
• Milk & Butter – For moisture. For a dairy-free option, use a plant-based milk (like almond milk , coconut milk, or hemp milk ) and coconut oil . If you want extra protein, replace half of the milk with Greek yogurt or even blended cottage cheese (similar to my protein oatmeal ).
• Baking Powder – Makes the baked oatmeal fluffier and less dense.
• Flavor Boosters – Vanilla extract (I like this brand ) and cinnamon . Nutmeg makes a nice addition if you want to add a pinch.
• Add-Ins – Dried cranberries (I make my own dried cranberries without sugar ) and chopped pecans . Walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, or pepitas are great, too.

How To Make Baked Oatmeal

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Whisk the wet ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, peanut butter or cookie butter, maple syrup (if you’re adding it), melted butter, and vanilla, until smooth. Then, stir in the milk.
3. Combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and give it a good stir. There will be extra liquid, which is normal.
4. Add the extras. Fold in the cranberries, pecans, or whatever mix-ins you’re using.
5. Bake. Pour the oat mixture into a greased baking dish ( this is the perfect size ) and spread. Bake oatmeal until it’s as firm or soft as you like. I usually prefer the longer bake as shown here — see my tips below. Feel free to drizzle on extra nut butter and/or sprinkle on more nuts and cranberries at the end!

My Recipe Tips

• Use room temperature ingredients, particularly the eggs and milk. Everything mixes more evenly this way, and it prevents the butter from solidifying.
• I don’t recommend making this batter ahead. If you let it sit too long, the oats soak up all the liquid, and your baked oatmeal will turn out either mushy or dry (or somehow both, ha).
• Do you need to line your pan? I like this square baking dish and find it doesn’t stick even if I don’t line it, but if yours is metal, I recommend lining it with parchment paper. Don’t use foil, because it’ll stick.
• Watch the baking time. Firm baked oatmeal like my pictures here take a bit longer than soft and fluffy ones, but it can also vary depending on your oven and the material of your pan, so check on them. They will be dry if you overbake!
• Want a bigger batch? When I want to use a larger 9×13 pan for a crowd, doubling the recipe makes just the right amount.
• Add-in variations: Sometimes I replace the cranberries with fresh blueberries or chocolate chips ( these sugar-free ones are my fave). Diced apples also work well with the cinnamon here.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Baked Oatmeal:

• 2 cups Rolled oats ▢
• 1 tsp Baking powder ▢
• 1 tsp Cinnamon ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 2 large Eggs (at room temperature) ▢
• 1/2 cup Peanut butter (or almond butter, or healthy cookie butter spread for a nut-free option; plus more for topping) ▢
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter (melted; or coconut oil for dairy-free) ▢
• 1/4 cup Maple syrup (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup ; omit if using the cookie butter option) ▢
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract ▢
• 1 1/4 cups Milk of choice (at room temperature) ▢

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1/2 cup Dried cranberries (plus more for topping if desired; I used sugar-free dried cranberries ) ▢
• 1/2 cup Pecans (omit for nut-free; chop if using, and reserve more for topping) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Grease a square baking dish ( this one is the perfect size ).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, peanut butter, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla, until smooth. Whisk in the milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
5. Fold in the dried cranberries and/or pecans, if using.
6. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes (until the center is almost set) for soft baked oatmeal, or 22-24 minutes (until the center is completely set and golden brown) for firm baked oatmeal.
8. If you like, drizzle the top with more peanut butter (or cookie butter) and sprinkle with more nuts and cranberries if you like.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/9 of the entire pan

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your baked oatmeal (whether you like it firm or soft), without any mushiness or dryness. I also have a few variations for different flavors.
• Storage: I just cover the pan when I meal prep this for a larger crowd, but otherwise leftovers keep better in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
• Reheat: For a soft texture, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 15-second bursts.
• Freeze: Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend thawing before you reheat.
• Notes on nutrition info: I calculated this based on how I’ve been making it lately: with 2% milk, peanut butter, zero sugar maple syrup , and sugar-free dried cranberries. It will be different if you make any swaps.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Baked Oatmeal (Easy, Healthy Recipe)

My healthy baked oatmeal recipe tastes like dessert for breakfast, with flavors of cinnamon, maple, and peanut butter. Ready in 30 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/baked-oatmeal/

Ingredients

Baked Oatmeal:

• 2 cups Rolled oats
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 2 large Eggs (at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup Peanut butter (or almond butter, or healthy cookie butter spread for a nut-free option; plus more for topping)
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter (melted; or coconut oil for dairy-free)
• 1/4 cup Maple syrup (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup ; omit if using the cookie butter option)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups Milk of choice (at room temperature)

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1/2 cup Dried cranberries (plus more for topping if desired; I used sugar-free dried cranberries )
• 1/2 cup Pecans (omit for nut-free; chop if using, and reserve more for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Grease a square baking dish ( this one is the perfect size ).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, peanut butter, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla, until smooth. Whisk in the milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
5. Fold in the dried cranberries and/or pecans, if using.
6. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes (until the center is almost set) for soft baked oatmeal, or 22-24 minutes (until the center is completely set and golden brown) for firm baked oatmeal.
8. If you like, drizzle the top with more peanut butter (or cookie butter) and sprinkle with more nuts and cranberries if you like.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/9 of the entire pan

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your baked oatmeal (whether you like it firm or soft), without any mushiness or dryness. I also have a few variations for different flavors.
• Storage: I just cover the pan when I meal prep this for a larger crowd, but otherwise leftovers keep better in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
• Reheat: For a soft texture, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 15-second bursts.
• Freeze: Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend thawing before you reheat.
• Notes on nutrition info: I calculated this based on how I’ve been making it lately: with 2% milk, peanut butter, zero sugar maple syrup , and sugar-free dried cranberries. It will be different if you make any swaps.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)