Let’s talk about breakfast.

I adoooooore breakfast in all of its forms and cannot wait to get it into my belly the second I will myself to roll out of my big fluffy bed.

Mr. Peaches, however, is another story.

Most days I have to force feed a piece of toast down his throat just to get him to eat something that could pass as a sorry excuse for breakfast.

But he refuses.

But this weekend he was willing.

Intrigued, actually.

“Ooo this looks fancy…” he says as I drizzle a little maple syrup over his plate of oatmeal.

And he ATE it.

Baked oatmeal for the win!

I love this oatmeal because it’s jam-packed with fruit and it has a wonderful nutty crunch to boot.

Give it a try for your next brunch, or make it all for yourself and eat the leftovers for breakfast during the busy weekdays.

Happy Monday!
-peaches and cake

Baked Oatmeal with Strawberries, Blueberries, and Banana
Adapted from Adam and Joanne Gallagher, InspiredTaste
Originally adapted from Heidi Swanson, SuperNaturalEveryDay
Idea to use blueberries and honey from my friend Tess
Serves 4-5 (Can easily be doubled)

Printer-friendly version

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup sliced strawberries
½ cup blueberries
2 cups skim or low-fat milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, peeled and cut into slices
Optional: extra brown sugar and/or maple syrup, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-½ x 7 or a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the blueberries. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and blueberries for the top of the oatmeal). In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, honey and vanilla extract.

3. Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and blueberries on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shimmy the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.

4. Place the baking dish on top of a baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set. For an extra tasty top, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of extra brown sugar on top then place back in the oven under the broiler and broil for 20-30 seconds. Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of sugar or drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.