Baked Oatmeal!! Nom! Nom!

Y'all, I may be starting to figure out this whole domestic housewife thing. I mean, the past few posts I've done on here (though few and far between) have all been recipes! #WhoAmI?

I know, right?

God still performs miracles.

Anyway....

I saw a friend of mine (thanks, Katie!) post this recipe on FB not too long ago. Bryant loves oatmeal and I figured I needed to expand my cooking repertoire, so I went for it this morning. I have to admit, I will eat oatmeal, but it's definitely not my first choice of things to eat, though I really liked this!

I wasn't sure what the consistency was supposed to be for this once it was done, but mine turned out (while still warm) to be slightly gooey and I needed a spoon to eat it. The longer it sat out and cooled, the "harder" it got and less it fell apart. Despite my lack of love for oatmeal, I really liked this and plan on making it again!

What I really like is there are really only a couple "non-healthy" ingredients... like the maple syrup and butter spread. Though the spread I use is slightly healthier than most butters, being that it is dairy (and gluten) free. The original recipe has 1 egg in it, but I replaced that with flaxseed for a healthier option.

Anyway, this was really easy and YUMMY! Bryant is wanting me to make another batch, cool it (or freeze) so it hardens and he can use as ride fuel on his long cycling rides.

Adapted by ME! ;-)
from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson
via Annie's Eats
makes 6 servings
nutritional value will vary depending on the fruit and ingredients you use

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or almonds, divided (I used sliced almonds)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup maple syrup (I used sugar free)
1 cup almond/soy/regular milk (I used almond milk)
1 tbsp of ground flaxseed, 3 tbsp of water combined (whisked to create consistency of 1 egg)
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (I used *vegan* Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1 to 1.5 cups blueberries or raspberries, fresh or frozen, divided (I used slightly more than 1 cup of fruit total - blueberries and strawberries)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, half of the nuts, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. Whisk the 3 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed for a couple minutes in a small bowl, then allow to sit another couple minutes while you spread the sliced bananas in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish. 

3. Top the bananas with half of the berries. Sprinkle the dry oat mixture over the fruit in an even layer. 

4. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the syrup, milk, flaxseed (once it has the gelatin consistency of an egg), butter, and vanilla. Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

5. Sprinkle the remaining nuts and berries over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.