BREAKFAST FOOD: BAKED BANANA AND BLUEBERRY OATMEAL

We have blueberries. Kids like blueberries. This kid likes blueberries because he says they match his eyes.

My goal was to feed 5 kids for breakfast without making a mess. Baked oatmeal is one of my favourite feed a crowd breakfasts. It’s filling. It’s easy. And you can clean up and set the table while it bakes.

I found the recipe for this baked oatmeal over at Skinny Taste,  I increased the oatmeal and milk because I had a hungry bunch and my dish was 9 x 9. Of course, I used non-diary milk, I had almond milk on hand, but use whatever you have available. You can use frozen blueberries if you don’t have fresh.

Blueberry and Banana Baked Oatmeal

• 2 medium ripe bananas, (the riper the better) sliced
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1-1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts + 2 tablespoons for topping
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1-1/2 cup almond milk ( or any other milk)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons while sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a 9X9 ceramic baking dish with cooking spray, or lightly oil.

Dice the bananas into the dish, in a single layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of the blueberries over top of the bananas. Drizzle the blueberries and bananas with 2 tablespoons of honey.  I didn’t measure, just a drizzle over the top.  Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes to soften the bananas.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mix oats, 1/4 of walnuts, salt and baking powder.

In a small bowl, whisk remaining honey, milk, vanilla and egg.

Once fruit has been removed from the oven, sprinkle oat mixture evenly over top of fruit.  Pour egg and milk mixture over the oats using a spatula to push into the corners. Sprinkle remaining blueberries and 2 tablespoons of walnuts over the top.

Bake for about 20 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with sugar (if using) and return to the oven to complete cooking. It will bake for 30-35 total or until it is golden brown on top and oatmeal is set. The sugar adds a little bit of crunch to the top, but you can easily skip this step.

Serve with additional milk or cream, I used soy milk. This is nice and sweet, you can serve with syrup or honey on the side, but try it without. I find it doesn’t need the extra sweetness.