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This baked oatmeal recipe is a warm, satisfying breakfast made with old-fashioned oats, honey, and your favorite fruit. Baked in a small baking dish, it’s perfect for one and easy to customize with different fruits, spices, or toppings. Simple, nutritious, and delicious!
Explore more quick and easy single serving breakfast recipes, like our moist and flavorful Banana Bread, savory and satisfying Cheesy Baked Eggs, creamy and delicious Avocado Toast, or sweet and fruity Fruit Quesadilla.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Simple steps make this single serve baked oatmeal recipe easy to prepare in minutes.
- Customizable: Use your favorite fruits, spices, and toppings to make it your own.
- Nutritious: Baked oats are packed with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins like iron and calcium.
- Delicious: A warm, satisfying breakfast that’s perfect for using up leftover fruit.
- Oatmeal Cookie Vibes: Enjoy the soft, chewy texture reminiscent of an oatmeal cookie in our baked oats recipe.
- Perfect for Two: Need more? This recipe doubles easily.
Start your day with this individual baked oatmeal recipe, featuring a layer of fruit like blueberries, strawberries, or chopped apples at the base of a 5×5-inch dish. Top it with oats lightly seasoned with your favorite spice, then pour a blend of milk, melted butter, vanilla, egg, and honey (or maple syrup) over the top. Bake until golden, and enjoy a warm, satisfying breakfast with milk, yogurt, or a drizzle of extra sweetener.
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Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch baked oatmeal recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Oats: Use old-fashioned oats for the best texture. Extra oats can be used in recipes like Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Strawberry Crisp, Blackberry Crisp, or Gingerbread Granola.
- Cinnamon and Salt: A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth to the oatmeal. Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or allspice.
- Milk: Use cow’s milk of any fat content or plant-based options like almond, soy, or coconut milk.
- Butter: I prefer salted butter for a hint of added flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with a subtle, aromatic sweetness.
- Egg: One large egg binds the ingredients together.
- Honey: Provides a light sweetness, allowing room to add toppings like fresh fruit or yogurt. Adjust the sweetness to your taste if you prefer a sweeter oatmeal. Maple syrup can be used instead if preferred.
- Fruit: Blueberries work wonderfully, but feel free to use any fruit you have on hand. Both fresh and thawed frozen fruit are great options.
Recipe Variations
Here are some fresh takes on this easy baked oatmeal recipe:
- Tropical Baked Oatmeal: Swap the milk for coconut milk, and mix in chunks of pineapple and shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Apple Cinnamon Raisin: Stir in grated apple, a handful of raisins, and an extra pinch of cinnamon for a breakfast that tastes like apple pie.
- Mocha Baked Oatmeal: Add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee powder and a handful of chocolate chips for a rich, mocha-inspired treat.
- Savory Baked Oatmeal: Omit the fruit and sweeteners. Instead, mix in chopped spinach, crumbled feta, and a pinch of black pepper for a savory option.
- Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal: Replace part of the milk with pumpkin puree and stir in pumpkin spice for a cozy fall-inspired breakfast.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
How To Make Baked Oatmeal
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving of baked oats. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, stir together the oats, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, honey, and vanilla extract.
- Prepare the Dish: Add your chosen fruit to the bottom of a 5×5-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add the Oats: Spoon the oat mixture over the fruit, creating an even layer.
- Smooth the Top: Gently level the oats to ensure they bake evenly.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the whisked liquid mixture over the oats and fruit.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the oatmeal is set and golden on top. Let it cool slightly, then enjoy!
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Expert Tips
- Essential Formula: The key to single serving baked oatmeal is a simple formula: 1/4 cup of oats, 1/4 cup of liquid, one egg, and about a tablespoon of honey for sweetness.
- Experiment with Spices: Swap out cinnamon for nutmeg, cardamom, or even allspice to change up the flavor.
- Milk Options: Use any milk you prefer, from cow’s milk to almond, soy, or coconut milk.
- Adjust Sweetness: Keep the recipe lightly sweetened, and add toppings like fresh fruit or a dollop of vanilla yogurt to customize the flavor.
- Fruit Choices: While blueberries are popular, feel free to try sliced bananas, diced strawberries, or chopped apples.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy your baked oatmeal warm, topped with milk, yogurt, or a drizzle of honey for added flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Add Nut Butter: Top with a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor.
- Sprinkle Seeds: Add a crunch and boost nutrition with chia seeds or flaxseeds.
- Greek Yogurt: Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy, tangy contrast. Swirl in honey or jam for extra flavor.
- Fresh Fruit: Try topping with seasonal fruits like mango, pineapple, strawberries, or raspberries for a fresh and colorful twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake it in advance and reheat it in the microwave or oven when ready to eat.
Blueberries, strawberries, chopped apples, bananas, and raspberries all work well. Use fresh or thawed frozen fruit.
No, for best texture use old-fashioned oats.
To make baked oatmeal for one, use a 5×5-inch baking dish. This dish holds about 1.5 cups and has an area of 25 square inches. A 4×6-inch dish has an area of 24 square inches and will work as well. For best results, use a dish of similar size.
Absolutely! Substitute the milk and butter with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and coconut oil.
Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Yes, double the ingredients and use a 6×8-inch baking dish to make multiple servings.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this “Baked Oatmeal For One” or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
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Baked Oatmeal For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup old fashioned oats
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon salted butter -divided
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup blueberries (Line the bottom of your baking dish with fruit. Use up to 1/2 cup if needed to cover the bottom evenly.)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Butter the inside of a 5×5-inch baking dish with ½ tablespoon of butter, ensuring it’s well-coated to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the oats, cinnamon, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another small bowl, whisk together the milk, ½ tablespoon of melted butter, vanilla, honey, and egg until fully combined.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the blueberries evenly across the bottom of the buttered baking dish.
- Layer the Oats: Sprinkle the dry oat mixture evenly over the blueberries.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Pour the whisked liquid mixture over the oats and fruit, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Notes
-
- Essential Formula: The key to single serving baked oatmeal is a simple formula: 1/4 cup of oats, 1/4 cup of liquid, one egg, and about a tablespoon of honey for sweetness.
-
- Experiment with Spices: Swap out cinnamon for nutmeg, cardamom, or even allspice to change up the flavor.
-
- Milk Options: Use any milk you prefer, from cow’s milk to almond, soy, or coconut milk.
-
- Adjust Sweetness: Keep the recipe lightly sweetened, and add toppings like fresh fruit or a dollop of vanilla yogurt to customize the flavor.
-
- Fruit Choices: While blueberries are popular, feel free to try sliced bananas, diced strawberries, or chopped apples.
-
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy your baked oatmeal warm, topped with milk, yogurt, or a drizzle of honey for added flavor.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Joanie,
You are incredible and so is this breakfast! Thank you so much!
You are too kind, Sherrie. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Anther great recipe. I’m was wondering is the another similar pan you can use.
Thank you, Mary. You can use any oven-safe baking dish that will hold the ingredients and still leave a little room at the top.
Could you use steel cut oats?
Also how do you reheat in the oven?
Thanks
If you want to reheat the oatmeal in the oven, I would recommend covering the dish with a sheet of aluminum foil to keep the oatmeal from drying and heating it at 350 degrees. Since you just want to heat it, the oatmeal should not take very long, maybe 8-10 minutes. Or you could reheat it in the microwave.
I’m actually not sure. This recipe hasn’t been tested with steel cut oats.
If a toaster oven is used, would the baking instructions be the same?
Yes, it should stay the same.
Does the milk particularly need to be one percent? Just wondering. Looking forward to trying this recipe soon.
Hi Ben,
No, I listed 1% because that’s what I often use. Feel free to use whole milk, 2%, almond, soy, oat or coconut milk instead.
This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I’ve made it twice now and I love it. Didn’t have honey on hand so I used brown sugar. I do one thing differently, when I heading the oven, I put my buttered 5″ round pan in the oven with fruit covered with a bit of brown sugar and once everything else is prepared, I finish per instructions. I do have a question, do you have a baked oatmeal recipe without fruit?
Hi Andrea,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. You can leave the fruit out of this recipe if you’d like – it’ll still be delicious.
Joanie
Can this be prepared the night before and cooked in the morning?
Yes it can be prepared overnight and baked in the morning.
Enjoy!
This sounds wonderful! But I don’t have that much time in the mornings. Would it work okay to bake the night before and reheat in the morning? Or would that ruin the texture? Thank you!
Yes, you can bake the oatmeal the night before and reheat in the morning.
This is the perfect serving size for one person!! I really enjoyed this. The second time I made it I broiled it on low for a minute or two just to get the top extra brown and crispy, and it was even more delicious ๐
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Having a lot of fresh cranberries from the holidays I substituted them for the blueberries. It was fantastic and gave the dish a whole new tadte.
FOR JENNIFER: TO PRINT THE RECIPE(S) NEEDED, DO A ‘CUT AND PASTE’ OF THE PARTS WANTED ONTO A ‘NOTEPAD’ PAGE MAKING ANY CHANGES WANTED OR NEEDED — THEN DO A ‘PRINT’…SAVES PAPER AND ONLY TAKES A MINUTE OR TWO…
Hi, is there any way to print your recipe without the pictures? 7 pieces of paper instead of 1. Looks delish and hope to try it soon. thanks, Jen
Hi Jen,
I have the pictures in the recipe so the instructions are clear. I do not know of a way to print without the pictures.
Copy and paste each direction without the pic into a separate WORD/Notepad doc
ps….I meant 1 document with all directions copied and pasted into…Coffee hasn’t kicked in! OOPS!