This recipe was inspired by Heidi Swanson's baked oats.
As soon as I saw the original recipe I just had to try it Heidi's way and my own way.
Eating oats baked is a more indulgent way to enjoy this old-time favourite, yet you still reap the many health benefits.
Eating oats this way provides about the same amount of carbohydrate (~40g), a little more protein from the nut and seed topping (~12g) and a little more fat compared to oats cooked in milk and topped with fruit, but overall a nutrient dense and filling way to start the day.
I have been enjoying baked oats on the weekend when I am looking for a carbohydrate rich, higher protein breakfast following a long run. I just enjoy this with a cup of milk for adequate protein for muscle recovery and enough carbohydrate to refuel my muscle glycogen stores.
I believe the whole family would just love this recipe for a heart-warming breakfast on a cold weekend morning.
Ingredients (makes 6 serves)
2 cups of oats
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of baking powder
100g of a nut and seed mix (I used almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds)
A pinch of salt
1 egg
2 cups of milk
60g unsalted butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 teaspoons of vanilla essence
2 cups of frozen mixed berries
1 large ripe banana (or two small bananas), sliced
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
In a bowl combine the dry ingredients - oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and 50g of the nut and seed mix.
In a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients - whisk the egg then add the milk, melted butter (or margarine), maple syrup and vanilla essence.
Line the base of a 20cm x 20cm oven proof dish (grease if required) with the banana and 1 ½ cup of the berries.
Scatter the dry ingredients on top of the banana and berries.
Slowly pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture, then give the dish a good thump on the bench/chopping board (without breaking) to make sure the wet ingredients mix through.
Scatter the other 50g of the nut and seed mix and ½ cup of berries over the top.
Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until brown on top.
Remember to use recipes for inspiration and mix up the ingredients to your own liking. You could also use tinned apples instead of the banana and walnuts instead of the nut and seed mix.
ENJOY