14 Baked Oats Recipes for Mighty Tasty Mornings

Though the mention of oatmeal typically calls to mind that steaming pot on the stove (or in the pressure cooker, for those who hate the contstant stirring), we shouldn't overlook how good oats are when baked. Whether we're talking of a toothsome breakfast casserole with that toasty flavor or a wholesome, oatmeal-based cookie, we can't get enough of baked oats. In case you need some motivation beyond taste to get them into your diet, they've got energy-boosting B-vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin and niacin and are especially high in soluble fiber, the kind that helps lower cholesterol when you mix it into a healthy diet. Imagine, getting all those benefits before you've even gotten in the shower.

Oatmeal and berries seem born to mingle. But here, you might take a bite of those juicy-sweet berries with the toasty brown sugar topping and think you were eating a crumble. The line between crumble and baked oatmeal is a thin one, so why not exploit it?

Is it a brownie? Does it hint at chocolate-orange? There's no need to over-analyze; the only important fact is that this is nutty, gooey and so chocolatey, and will have tons of protein and richness with a cold dollop of Greek yogurt on top.

These oats can be eaten like a slice of cake (sign us up) or cut into bars and taken on the road. The spicing is gentle, like an oatmeal cookie-gone-breakfast. Some fresh berries and chopped nuts up the fiber and protein content.

If you've ever dreamed of carrot cake for breakfast, Molly Yeh's got a way for you to split the difference between breakfast and dessert. Here, you've got shredded carrot, spices and nuts, just like a real carrot cake, and even dollops of cream cheese that evoke the beloved frosting. Be sure to store away from pet bunnies.

You had us at breakfast cookies. But seriously, you've got the salty-sweet peanut butter and banana combination, plus gooey chocolate chips, for a boost that's equal parts protein and dessert, plus the staying power that means that one or two of these cookies will keep you going until lunchtime. That said, these also make excellent lunchbox treats, to power those after-school activities.

Attention meal preppers, this one's for you. It's loaded with good stuff, which also makes it take a little longer to prepare — all the better reason to make a big batch on Sunday and eat it all week. As if the chocolate and coconut aren't irresistible enough, the inclusion of walnuts, pepitas, and hemp and chia seeds means that this is full of texture.

So back to our baked oats: We love them because they give 'cake' rather than 'health food,' which is truly an ideal sort of breakfast. These oats work pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices in, as well as creamy little sweet pockets from white chocolate. Truly a breakfast-dessert crossover, just another ideal, in our book.

Pineapple never met a thing it couldn't upside-down; baked oatmeal is no exception. You've got some chunks right in the "cake" mixture, for bursts of sweet juice whenever you encounter them. As with a traditional upside-down cake, a flip of the baking dish allows all the delicious juices from the caramelization to settle right back into the cake — and the look is spectacular.

Blueberry and coconut is a combination you don't see all the time. One bite, and you'll wonder why that is! These are delicious at home with a cup of coffee, on the go, or as a shelf-stable breakfast treat that you can leave out for your family or guests.

When Danielle Sepsy is on the case of a baked good, you know it's going to be tasty. This combo mashes banana into the baked oats, but then adds more slices on top to get a little burnished in the oven. Similarly, some blueberries are baked in, and go jammy, and the rest sit on top for bursts of fresh berry. The result is creamy and fruity, and we're here for it.

If homemade granola bars don't appeal, we wonder if it's semantics to call these cookies? Then again, you can't deny the psychological pull of a cookie. These are absolutely packed with nuts and dried fruit — what kind? Dealer's choice — and maple syrup, the great unifier. These will not stick around long.

If you like a savory breakfast and are feeling a little left out, here's what you've been waiting for. These oats incorporate a little brown sugar, diced apple and coconut, so yes, you've got some sweetness; but some bacon and tannic hits from walnuts balance things right out. We think a drizzle of maple syrup wouldn't be amiss here, but hey — you do you.

You've got two layers here: The underneath is a standard lightly-sweetened oatmeal mixture. On top, however, you've got a pumpkin party. Walnuts, more oats, some pastry flour and pumpkin puree give a creamy, almost streusely layer. Scooped together, they add up to supreme satisfaction.