Baked Oats for One

Let this be your ultimate guide to making baked oatmeal for one. This recipe turns out wonderfully cake-like and works whether you prefer blended or unblended baked oats. Make the vanilla, cinnamon or chocolate base recipe or use the base to get creative with all sorts of flavors.

Jump to:

• The Ingredients
• The Method
• Leftovers and Storage
• Make it Your Own
• Blended vs Unblended Baked Oatmeal
• What to Serve with Baked Oatmeal
• Tips for the Best Baked Oatmeal
• And if you liked this recipe...
• Recipe Card
• Comments

If you're bored of your morning bowl of oatmeal (though I find it hard to tire of chocolate oatmeal...) and need to shake things up, single serving baked oats are exactly what you need!

You'll love them because:

• Super Easy. Mix or blend all of the ingredients, pour into a ramekin and then let the oven do the work while you get ready for the day. Or make them in the microwave or air fryer for an even quicker option.
• Fluffy, Cake-like Texture. Enjoy the indulgent texture reminiscent of cake that makes these an exciting breakfast or perfect for a satisfying snack.
• Wholesome Ingredients. With how decadent it tastes, you'll be surprised that it is made with wholesome ingredients, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, gluten-free (if using certified gluten free oats) and dairy-free.
• High Protein. Thanks to the addition of protein isolate powder, each serving packs 22 grams of protein, providing a satisfying start to your day.
• Customizable. I've included base recipes for vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate baked oats that can be further customized with nut butter, mix-ins and extracts for all sorts of variations.
• Single Serving. This recipe is designed for one serving, making it convenient for a quick and easy meal for one.

The Ingredients

• Rolled Oats- Large flake or quick oats will work for this recipe. Use certified gluten-free if needed. Do not use steel cut.
• Protein Powder- I love including pea protein isolate or brown rice protein (those are the ones that I have tested it with) in order to make this recipe more filling. You can replace it with additional oats instead.
• Water or Milk- Just a quarter cup of liquid provides enough moisture. It is imperative that you don't add too much of the oats won't turn out cakey. I usually just use water since it is such a small amount but any milk of choice will work as well.
• Egg- Adds some extra protein and helps to bind the baked oats. For vegan baked oats, you can replace with an additional ¼ cup of water. The oats turn out slightly crumblier but overall still cake-y.
• Maple Syrup- Adds a bit of sweetness to the oatmeal. You can replace with any sweetener of choice (see this list of Maple Syrup Substitutes) and add more or less depending on your desired sweetness.
• Baking Powder- Key for giving the oats lift in order to have a light, cakey texture. For best results, make sure that yours is fresh.
• Sea Salt- Just a touch balances out the flavors.
• Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon or Cocoa- Depending on the flavor that you are making, you'll need one of these.

The Method

1. Mix. Add all of the ingredients to a high powered blended and blend on high until smooth.

Or, for unblended oats, whisk together all of the ingredients until combined.

2. Bake. Pour the oat mixture into a lightly greased 10-12 ounce ramekin. Stir in any mix-ins if using (such as berries or chocolate chips).

Bake at 350 F for 22-28 minutes until just set on top. *The bake time will vary depending on your ramekin- a wider ramekin will bake faster.

3. Rest. Allow the oats to cool for 5 minutes to set.

Want to make them in the microwave or air fryer instead?

• Microwave- Put the mixture in a 10-12 ounce microwave safe bowl or ramekin and heat on high for 1 and ½ to 2 minutes.
• Air Fryer- Pour the mixture into a 10-12 ounce air fryer safe ramekin and place in the center of an air fryer basket. Air fry at 300 F for 12-18 minutes. See this air fryer baked oats recipe for more details.

They turn out great but a little different all 3 ways! Here is a visual of the same recipe made using 3 different methods.

4. Enjoy!

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Allow baked oatmeal to cool to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Rewarm in the microwave, in the oven at 325 F for 8-10 minutes or in the air fryer at 300 F for 5-8 minutes.

Make it Your Own

• Add nut butter center- Spoon a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter into the center of the oatmeal batter before baking for a gooey, molten filling.
• Skip the protein powder- Omit the protein powder and increase the oats to ½ cup for a simpler version.
• Include mix-ins- After blending, stir in 2 tablespoons of your choice of mix-ins such as:
  • chocolate chips
  • berries
  • chopped nuts
  • dried fruit
  • shredded coconut
• Add extracts- Experiment by replacing the vanilla with different extracts such as lemon, almond, or maple to add a unique flavor.

Blended vs Unblended Baked Oatmeal

If you don't have a high powered blended or simply don't want to dirty a dish, these baked oats can be made without blending as well.

If you decide to skip the blending, you have two options:

1. You can use rolled oats and simply stir everything together. They still turn out pretty cake-y with a bit more oat texture.
2. You can use oat flour (you need ¼ cup packed to replace the ⅓ cup of oats). This will result in oats that look more fluffy as though they have been blended.

What to Serve with Baked Oatmeal

• Fruit: Top your baked oats with sliced bananas or mixed berries. Or serve it with a side of fruit salad.
• Greek Yogurt: Add a couple of dollops on top for "frosting" or have a bowl alongside.
• Nut Butter: Drizzle some of your favorite nut or seed butter, such as peanut, macadamia or pepita over the oats.
• Seeds and Nuts: Add some texture by sprinkling some roasted nuts or seeds overtop.

Tips for the Best Baked Oatmeal

• Don't Underbake. Ensure the oats are fully cooked through by baking them until they're set in the center and then allow to rest for 5 minutes. Underbaking can result in a mushy texture.
• Add Just Enough Liquid. Use the amount of liquid specified in the recipe. Too much liquid can make the oats overly wet and mushy.
• Bake Immediately. Once the ingredients are mixed, bake the oats immediately. Allowing the mixture to sit for too long before baking can affect the texture and rise as the oats soak up liquid as it sits.

And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like:

• Chocolate Oatmeal
• Protein Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Chocolate Baked Oats

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