Vegan Baked Oats aka Breakfast Cake

Would you like to eat cake for breakfast? You can do that without feeling guilty. Vegan baked oats are healthy but still delicious and need only 5 minutes of preparation. Perfect for a quick breakfast or even instead of Sunday pancakes.

You can also make it as so-called overnight oats. That means you can make it ahead and eat straight from the refrigerator the next morning.

What are baked oats?

Baked oats are also named blended baked oats. I like to call it a breakfast cake because it really tastes like a cake. Vegan baked oats are blended oats with banana, cinnamon, and any other spices you’d like to add, plus berries, and shredded coconut on top. It already sounds like a cake, right?

Are baked oats healthy?

It depends on what you add to it. This vegan baked oats recipe is healthy and can even be made gluten-free if needed. 

When should I eat baked oats?

Vegan baked oats can be eaten at any time. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or even a dessert as it tastes like a cake. To save time in the morning you can even make it the day before and in the morning just pop it in the oven while getting ready for the day.

How to make baked oats?

Making vegan baked oats is simple and preparation takes only about 5 minutes. You blend together the dough ingredients, pour half of it into the oven-safe bowl, add the filling such as peanut butter and chocolate, and pour over with the remaining dough. I also like to add some shredded coconut and sesame seeds on top. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes until firm.

Take it out, add frozen berries and bake again for 2 more minutes until the berries have melted.

FAQ for vegan baked oats:

Can I make vegan baked oats without a blender?

Yes! Mash banana with a fork, add other ingredients and mix together. Keep in mind that it won’t remind you of cake that much as it will be coarser but it will still taste delicious.

How to know when baked oats are done?

Checking if your baked oats are done can be easily done with a toothpick. Insert it inside the baked oats and if it comes out clean your cake is ready.

But you can also leave it a bit runny – it will be a whole different experience. Kind of like a lava cake.

Can you eat vegan baked oats cold?

Yes, you can eat vegan baked oats cold. Make it the day ahead, put it in the refrigerator, and enjoy your oatcake in the morning.

Can you warm up baked oats?

Sure. If you bake it ahead, just pop it in the oven for about 7 minutes to warm it up again.

Can I store baked oats in the fridge?

Yes, you can. Vegan baked oats can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. But it’s recommended to eat straight from the oven or the next day.

Can you cook vegan baked oats in the microwave?

Vegan baked oats can be cooked and also reheated in the microwave. It will be 2 times quicker than cooking in the oven.

Can you make baked oats with water?

Baked oats can be made with water. It’s not needed in a large quantity so it doesn’t change the outcome.

Can baked oats be made in advance?

Of course, vegan baked oats can be made in advance. Make it and bake it the day before or even for the upcoming week. Reheat or bake it in the morning.

Ingredients

Oats: Any oats such as quick oats or rolled oats work. You can also use oat flour instead. Substitute gluten free oats if needed.

Banana: I like to use a mashed banana but you can add banana slices as well. If you’re using a ripe banana it works like a natural sweetener and keeps the dough together. If you’re not using bananas, add any other sweetener such as maple syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar instead.

Don’t worry about the dough keeping together without a banana. Flaxseeds with water work as a flax egg that keeps the dough together.

Peanut butter: I only use 100% nut butter without any sugar and oils. Use peanut butter, hazelnut butter, or almond butter.

Dark chocolate: I like to use 85%+ dairy free dark chocolate. Use chocolate chips instead or any other chocolate such as white or milk chocolate. Depends on how sweet you like it.

Berries & passionfruit: I usually add raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, red currants, and black currants. And sometimes passionfruit as well.

Shredded coconut: This can be left out but is recommended to use as it adds extra taste.

Sesame seeds: Can be left out as well but adds nutritional value (vitamin B, fiber, minerals, healthy fats, antioxidants) and extra taste as well.

Chia seeds: Adds nutritional value – fiber, omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) form, and quercetin which is good for overall health and protects from cardiovascular diseases.

Flaxseeds: Brown and golden flaxseeds both work. It’s also the source of healthy omega-3 fatty acid ALA form.

Cinnamon: Use Ceylon cinnamon for a healthier option. It is a good source of antioxidants and manganese that repairs bones and manages your hormones.

Water: Or substitute with any plant milk such as almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk if you want it to be extra oaty. Coconut milk works as well.

Step by step instructions

Step 1. Blend together all the dough ingredients: oats, banana, chia seeds, flaxseeds, cinnamon, and water. It should become a thicker cake dough. The runnier it is the longer it takes to bake. (If you don’t have a blender you can make mashed banana with a fork, mix all the dry ingredients, and add in the wet ingredients.)

– Pour half of it into the oven-proof bowl or preferrable baking dish.

– Add peanut butter and a piece of dark chocolate or chocolate chips.

– Pour over with the remaining dough.

– Top with shredded coconut, sesame seeds, almond flakes, and any other seeds/nuts you’d like.

Step 2. Bake for 18-22 minutes at 180 degrees. Use a toothpick, if it comes out clean, it’s ready. You can also eat it half-done, then it’s like a “lava cake”.

Step 3. Pour berries on top. If using frozen, bake for 3 more minutes.

– Add passionfruit (optional).

– Enjoy hot or cold.

Optional add-ins

– Beetroot powder: Using different powders are a perfect way to increase the nutritional value of your vegan baked oats. Beetroot lowers blood pressure, fights inflammation, boosts your brain, and strengthens your overall health.

– Cocoa powder: If you want to make chocolate baked oats.

– Vanilla extract: If you want to make it taste like cake even more.