As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
These chocolate chip baked oats are a delicious way to start your family’s day! They’re made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand and your whole family will love eating this sweet baked oatmeal for breakfast!
Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
Who doesn’t love chocolate for breakfast? This chocolate chip baked oatmeal recipe is naturally sweetened with overripe bananas and some chocolate chips.
It’s amazing served with a drizzle of nut butter for some extra protein and healthy fats and it tastes wonderful with some extra banana slices or fresh berries for a delicious breakfast!
Why We Love This Baked Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
- So easy: Baked oatmeal is so simple to make. You simply mix everything in a large mixing bowl, pour it into a dish, and bake!
- Healthy: Although this chocolate chip oatmeal bake looks decadent, it’s healthier than you’d expect. It’s sweetened with ripe bananas and is full of fibre from the whole grains and healthy fats from the peanut butter to set your little ones up for a successful day.
- Great for meal prep: Bake one batch of this healthy breakfast recipe on Sunday and you’ll have a week’s worth of healthy breakfasts ready to go!
Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
Like it? Save this recipe for later!
Ingredient Notes
- Overripe bananas: Skip the brown sugar or maple syrup. These baked oats are naturally sweetened with mashed banana, which also adds a tender, moist texture.
- Milk: Use regular cow’s milk, or sub in a plant-based milk alternative such as oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, etc.
- Peanut butter: Nut butter will help fill up those tummies. Feel free to use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead to keep it nut-free.
- Egg: Use a regular egg or make flax eggs for an egg-free option to help bind the oats together.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds a subtle scent that makes these hearty oats smell so delicious!
- Oats: Use either quick oats or old-fashioned oats. Regular old fashioned oats have the best texture as quick oats cook more quickly and can become soggy. You can also use a combination of the two.
- Baking powder: This will help give your chocolate chip baked oats a nice rise so they aren’t too dense.
- Cinnamon: A little cinnamon enhances the flavour of the bananas and gives this baked oatmeal an almost banana bread like flavour.
- Salt: Don’t forget the salt! It draws out sweetness making this healthy recipe taste sweet even without sugar.
- Chocolate chips: I prefer to use dark chocolate chips since they’re rich in antioxidants and balance the sweetness from the bananas.
How to Make Baked Oats with Chocolate Chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
- Next, add the milk, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Add the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and mix until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread it around with a spoon or spatula until evenly distributed. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips, if desired.
- Place in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before cutting to allow it to firm up.
- To serve, top with additional banana slices and a drizzle of peanut butter, if desired.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
TIPS FOR THE BEST BAKED OATS RECIPE
- This chocolate chip baked oatmeal is naturally sweetened with banana and is not overly sweet on its own. If you prefer a sweeter oatmeal, I recommend adding a bit of maple syrup (or other desired sweetener) to the recipe. If you do choose to use maple syrup, you may need to increase the baking time slightly.
- To further enhance the sweetness, I recommend using overripe bananas (the brown spotty kind) to maximize the flavour.
- You can use either a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish or an 8×8 inch square baking dish for the purpose of this recipe. I’ve made this recipe in each of these types of baking dishes and it turned out equally good each time.
- Allow the oatmeal bake to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting it and removing it from the baking dish to allow it to firm up a bit. If it’s too warm when you cut it, it will have a mushier consistency.
Recipe FAQs
It certainly can be! Baked oatmeal has lots of fibre, which makes it a filling breakfast or a healthy snack. However, many recipes add lots of sugar and fat to get the perfect texture.
I prefer to use ripe bananas and natural nut butter instead, which give it a naturally sweet, tender texture and provide those healthy fats. Serve with nut butter or yogurt and fresh berries for a complete meal.
Although most oats are gluten free, it’s important to read the label, especially if you have celiac disease. Look for certified gluten-free oats to be on the safe side.
Although I love to use mashed overripe bananas in this recipe, not everyone can tolerate bananas. Another great option is canned pumpkin or roasted sweet potato. They’ll have a similar texture and subtle sweetness.
You may need to add slightly more moisture, like a little unsweetened coconut milk, to ensure they aren’t too thick. Another great alternative for bananas is applesauce, but you may want to use slightly less liquid.
Storage Guidelines
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. For longer storage, freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Optional Add-Ins
There are so many ways to adapt this baked chocolate chip oatmeal recipe to suit your little one’s preferences!
Try adding:
- Chopped nuts
- Chopped dates
- Pure maple syrup (for a little extra sweetness if needed)
- Fresh berries and white chocolate chips
- Cocoa powder for even more chocolate flavour
- Flax seeds or chia seeds
What to Serve with Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal with chocolate chips recipe is pretty filling on its own, but I like to serve it with some fresh fruit and some extra protein for a balanced meal.
- Drizzle peanut butter
- Breakfast casserole
- Scrambled eggs (like these Scrambled Eggs for Baby)
- Greek yogurt
- Fresh berries
- Smoothie (try this Strawberry Banana Smoothie without Yogurt!)
Recipe Variations
- To make oatmeal cups: Bake this oatmeal mixture in a greased muffin tin for easy oatmeal muffins you can take on the go.
- Strawberry white chocolate baked oatmeal: Replace the chocolate chips with white chocolate and add a cup of sliced strawberries for a delicious treat.
- Dairy free: Use a non-dairy milk instead of regular milk and be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips if you require a dairy-free breakfast.
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
More Similar Recipes
- Single Serve Baked Oats
- Banana Pumpkin Bars
- Healthy Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Recipe
- 3-Ingredient Banana Brownies
Baked Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 4 medium overripe bananas (mine weighed 455 grams without the peel)
- 1 1/4 cups preferred milk
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips plus more for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
- Next, add the milk, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Add the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and mix until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread it around with a spoon or spatula until evenly distributed. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips, if desired.
- Place in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before cutting to allow it to firm up.
- To serve, top with additional banana slices and a drizzle of peanut butter, if desired.
Notes
- This chocolate chip baked oatmeal is naturally sweetened with banana and is not overly sweet on its own. If you prefer a sweeter oatmeal, I recommend adding a bit of maple syrup (or other desired sweetener) to the recipe. If you do choose to use maple syrup, you may need to increase the baking time slightly.
- To further enhance the sweetness, I recommend using overripe bananas (the brown spotty kind) to maximize the flavour.
- You can use either a 7×11 inch rectangular baking dish or an 8×8 inch square baking dish for the purpose of this recipe. I’ve made this recipe in each of these types of baking dishes and it turned out equally good each time.
- Allow the oatmeal bake to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting it and removing it from the baking dish to allow it to firm up a bit. If it’s too warm when you cut it, it will have a mushier consistency.