Blackberry Baked Oatmeal

This easy Blackberry Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate breakfast recipe. Bursting with fresh berries and hearty oats, it’s perfect for meal prep or a cozy weekend brunch. It also makes an excellent, convenient snack for busy days. I can’t wait for you to try it!

Why you should make this Blackberry Baked Oatmeal

If you’re looking for a breakfast that tastes delicious and fuels you for your busy day ahead, this Blackberry Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate solution. Bursting with tart, juicy berries and nutritious whole grains, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of fibre and antioxidants, all while being portable!

One of the best reasons to whip up a batch of this baked oatmeal is its incredible meal prep potential. It’s the perfect recipe for busy mornings; simply bake a batch on Sunday, and you have a grab-and-go breakfast or a healthy snack for the week. Whether you’re rushing out the door or need a quick mid-day bite, these squares hold their shape perfectly and can be enjoyed cold, at room temperature, or quickly reheated for that fresh-from-the-oven experience!

The versatility of this Blackberry Baked Oatmeal makes it a winner for almost any lifestyle. It is easy to adapt for various dietary requirements—you can easily swap in gluten-free oats for a gluten-free option, use flax eggs and plant-based milk for a vegan-friendly version, or toss in some protein powder or hemp seeds for an extra protein boost. No matter how you customize it, the result is a delicious, reliable, and wholesome meal that simplifies your routine without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients needed

Here’s what you need to make this Blackberry Baked Oats recipe:

• Old fashioned rolled oats
  • I recommend smaller oats instead of large flake oats because they create a better texture and don’t crumble as much when baked.
• Eggs
  • I typically use large eggs in this recipe.
• Milk
  • I prefer to use dairy or soy milk for a higher protein option.
• Plain Greek yogurt
  • The Greek yogurt adds a great source of protein and keeps the baked oatmeal perfectly moist.
• Light brown sugar
  • We just need a little bit to enhance the sweetness.
• Fresh blackberries
  • Try to avoid using frozen berries as this will change the overall texture of the baked oats.
• Chopped walnuts
  • These add a crunchy texture as well as extra protein and healthy fats to the recipe!
• Vanilla extract and cinnamon
• Baking powder and salt

Substitutions and add-ins

If you don’t have some of the suggested ingredients or you would like to make some adjustments, here are a few of my recommended substitutions:

• Quick oats
  • Feel free to use these instead of old fashioned rolled oats.
• Flavoured Greek yogurt
  • If you prefer to use a flavoured Greek yogurt instead of plain, I recommend vanilla or your preferred berry flavour.
• Alternative milks
  • If you follow a plant-based diet or just prefer alternative milks, you can also use oat or almond milk in this recipe instead.
• Lactose-free milk and yogurt
  • If you need an easier-to-digest milk option, use lactose-free milk and yogurt as easy swaps.
• Other types of brown sugar
  • Any kind of brown sugar will work in this recipe.
• Pecans
  • Feel free to use chopped pecans instead of walnuts, if you prefer.
• Protein powder
  • If you want to boost the protein content even more, you can add ¼ cup of plain or vanilla protein powder into the dry ingredient mixture.

How to make Blackberry Baked Oats

Follow these simple steps to whip up this nutrient-dense breakfast that fuels you for your busy days on the go!

1. Prep Your oven and dish
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Prepare an 8”x8” baking dish by greasing it with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil. For even easier cleanup and “grab-and-go” slicing, you can also line the dish with parchment paper.
2. Whisk the wet ingredients
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, Greek yogurt, eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated. Set this aside for a moment while you move on to the dry base.
3. Mix the dry ingredients
   • In a separate medium-sized bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
4. Combine and fold
   • Add the dry oat mixture into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in your fresh blackberries and chopped walnuts.
5. Bake to perfection
   • Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it out into an even layer. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and serve
   • Allow the baked oatmeal to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps the bars set, making them much easier to cut into perfect squares for your weekly meal prep. Add any preferred toppings and enjoy!

Topping suggestions

This is such a delicious recipe on its own but there are a few topping suggestions that take it to the next level while adding extra nutrients! Feel free to use as many or as little of these as you like:

• A dollop of Greek yogurt
• A variety of fruit such as additional berries or sliced bananas
• Extra cinnamon
• A drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter or other nut butters
• Maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness
• A sprinkle of hemp seeds or more chopped nuts

Storing and reheating

Whether you are making this in advance for a busy week ahead or prepping for a weekend brunch party, this is a great option. We just need to make sure it’s stored properly so it stays as fresh as possible.

1. Once the baked oatmeal has fully cooked, allow it to completely cool before transferring it into an airtight container. You can cut it into smaller squares to make it easier to grab and go.
2. Keep this container sealed and place it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
3. When you’re ready to enjoy a piece, you can eat it cold or warm. If you prefer it warmed up, place it on a plate in the microwave and heat it for 20 seconds (depending on the size of your piece). You can always add it back in and heat it for longer, if needed! Finish it with your desired toppings and enjoy! 

Freezing and thawing

These baked oats will also freeze really well! This makes it a great gift for busy friends or expecting parents. You can also make a double or triple batch at once and freeze it so you have breakfast or snacks ready for weeks on end!

1. Allow the baked oats to cool fully before cutting it up into smaller squares and transferring them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Cutting it into pieces will make it easier if you just want to take out one piece at a time.
2. Place this in the freezer for up to 3 months.
3. To thaw one piece: remove it from the freezer bag, place it on a plate and microwave it in 30 second increments for 60-90 seconds, or until it reaches your desired temperature.
4. To thaw the whole baked oatmeal: remove it from the freezer and either store it in the fridge overnight or keep it on the counter for 1-2 hours. You may need to pop it into the microwave for a bit to speed up the process but I would recommend doing this with smaller pieces instead of the whole baked oatmeal.

Nutrition

Not only can you make this baked oatmeal as a delicious breakfast, it also makes a balanced and nutritious snack! This recipe makes 9 squares, with each serving providing roughly:

• 8 grams of protein
• 3 grams of fibre
• A significant source of omega 3 fatty acids
• A variety of vitamins, including vitamin B12 and vitamin K
• A source of calcium, magnesium, zinc and more.

Dietary considerations

As a dietitian, I try to create recipes that can be made in multiple ways to suit various dietary restrictions. This recipe is already vegetarian but here are some modifications you can make to this blackberry baked oats recipe so it meets your needs:

• Gluten free: use certified gluten-free oats.
• Lactose free: use lactose-free yogurt and milk.
• Dairy free: opt for dairy-free yogurt and milk (like soy or almond).
• Vegan: opt for a vegan yogurt (ex. Coconut- or soy-based), a plant-based milk (like soy or almond) and a flax egg.
• Nut free: omit the walnuts.

I hope you love these Blackberry Baked Oats and I would really appreciate your rating and any comments below. It also makes my day seeing your creation of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutritionkitchen!