Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal

Chocolate, bananas and nuts. What a fabulous flavor and texture combination! So why not mix 'em up, and layer them into your oatmeal?

Baked Oatmeal reads more like a warm, oaty cake than a porridge. I love it for quick mid-week breakfasts. It's easy to whip up over the weekend and stash in the fridge for a yummy, hot breakfast all week long!

When creating this recipe, I was looking to combine plenty of decadent flavors without all the added guilt for a truly indulgent, yet healthy, breakfast.

Unsweetened cocoa powder is a great addition for plenty of chocolatey flavor sans excess sugars and fat. Dehydrated peanut butter powder is also a super smart substitute for regular peanut butter, again reducing the sugar and fat content, but also packing in plenty of good protein to keep you full! While I did add a bit of brown sugar to the mix, chopped bananas contribute the vast majority of the sweetness along with plenty of other good nutrients.

If you're looking to be a bit more naughty than nice, I might recommend serving with a splash of cream and a drizzle of chocolate hazelnut spread.

Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients

· 2 cups unsweetened almond milk

· 2 eggs

· 1 tsp vanilla

· ½ cup brown sugar

· 3 tbsp cocoa powder

· 3 ripe bananas, chopped

· 2 ½ cups oats

· ½ cup pecans or almonds, chopped

· 1 ½ tsp baking powder

· ½ tsp salt

· ½ tsp cinnamon

· 6 tbsp peanut butter powder

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined, whisk in the brown sugar and cocoa powder until incorporated. Fold in the bananas, oats, nuts, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Pour the oat mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

In a small bowl, prepare the peanut butter powder per package instructions. Stir in water until the powder forms a thick but spreadable paste.

Dollop the peanut butter evenly over the surface of the oats. Using a butter knife, swirl the peanut butter into the oats.

Bake for 35 minutes until the oatmeal is set and slightly puffed. Served warm. If desired, splash over milk or cream.

Serves 6

Notes

330 calories & 13g protein per serving

GF Friendly

Gluten Free Friendly!

Double check your nutrition labels to ensure the oats and nuts are processed in a gluten free facility.