Easy and Delicious Microwave Baked Oatmeal

Let’s jazz up a sometimes-bland-breakfast-classic. Oatmeal can definitely get a bad rap for being a little mushy and plain, but not the way I like to make it! Packed with important nutrients to start your day and topped however you like, I guarantee your family will love this microwave baked oatmeal.

Why I love to make oatmeal this way

This no-brainer, low-prep recipe is perfect for hurried weekday mornings when you’re trying to get your kids a couple bites of something nutritious as they hurry out the door. And it’s also perfect for a morning where you can set out all the toppings and make a build-your-own-breakfast bar! It’s versatile, nutritious, and best of all, my kids eat it.

My daughter will absolutely NOT eat a traditional bowl of oatmeal. I get it– the texture isn’t everyone’s favorite. When you make this recipe, it’s much more of a muffin texture! If that’s what it takes to get my kids to happily eat oatmeal, I’m perfectly fine with it.

Easy and Delicious Microwave Baked Oatmeal

Oats are a great source of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and even some protein. With the additions of some nutrient boosters like flaxseed and whole milk, this baked oatmeal recipe has a lot of nutritional bang for your buck. That’s exactly what I love to see in a breakfast!

Kids are often really bad about getting as much fiber as they need. And since breakfast is often a time they reach for plain carbs, it’s a great opportunity to swap in some fiber packed oats.

Ingredients Needed

All you need is:

• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/2 ripe banana
• 1/3 cup whole milk (or nondairy if needed)
• 1 tsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt

Optional: toppings! Nut butter, berries, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles!

How to make this recipe

1. Mix all ingredients together well (and mash banana); or blend everything together in a blender. 
2. Pour batter into a microwave safe bowl that has been sprayed well with cooking spray. 
3. Microwave for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. A toothpick should come out clean. It will be the texture of a muffin, it’s so good and different from a regular bowl of oats!

I like it with nut butter and berries on top, but my kids like it with some sprinkles!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use another fruit besides banana?

Banana is an important ingredient IN this microwaved baked oatmeal recipe. It helps give the right texture to the microwaved oatmeal, so I’d leave it in there! However, I highly recommend topping the baked oatmeal with other fruit if you like. Berries are my favorite but you could definitely do apples or some stone fruit like peaches. You could also sprinkle some dried fruit like raisins on top!

“I read somewhere that oats were too high carb for breakfast?”

I have to address this because somewhere along the lines, oats have gotten an unfairly bad reputation. Yes, they are carbohydrates! But carbs for breakfast are not the enemy! In fact, carbohydrates are your body and brain’s preferred source of energy. So they’re great to fuel up on at breakfast. I do recommend pairing them with some fat and protein to avoid a blood sugar spike, and this recipe has the option for both with whole milk and topping with nut butter!

Can I skip the flaxseed?

If you don’t have flaxseed, I would strongly encourage you to grab some! It’s such a great health booster that you can mix into lots of recipes. More info on how to use it here. This is my favorite one to buy for kids!

But if you want to make this recipe and don’t have any on hand right now, I would stir an egg into the batter!

More topping ideas

• drizzled coconut butter
• drizzled granola butter
• mini chocolate chips
• berry chia jam

Other recipes you might like

Healthy Baked French Toast Sticks

Protein Pancake Mix

The BEST Healthier Cinnamon Rolls

Reduce breakfast battles

If breakfast is a battle for you and your kids, check out these free downloadable breakfast choice cards. They help minimize the mealtime struggles by giving kids some agency in what’s on their plate!

Microwave Baked Oatmeal Recipe