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Healthy yet decadent Chocolate Baked Oats are a quick, easy and delicious one-pan dessert or breakfast your whole family will love! Plus, this Brownie Baked Oatmeal is refined-sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free and gluten-free!
Super indulgent yet healthy Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
Oats are one of my all-time favorite breakfast ingredients. in Strawberry Oatmeal BarsCreamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, Healthy Granola Bars, and baked oatmeal, there’s no shortage of ideas for this healthy, whole-grain, high-fiber ingredient. And, while I’ve already posted the recipe banana, pumpkinAnd Cinnamon Apple Baked OatmealNow it’s time for this really delicious Chocolate Baked Oats recipe.
Using quick oats and baking powder helps transform these oats into an almost cake-like or brownie baked oatmeal. It’s quick to put together – ready in 40 minutes in a pan. Also, you can prepare to enjoy it several days at the beginning of the week. Better yet, it’s also a chocolate-based breakfast for you (who would have ever thought those words would be in the same sentence?!).
Not only is this chocolate oatmeal bake free of refined sugars, it’s made almost entirely of nutrient-dense ingredients — like oats, bananas, almond butter, and cocoa powder. The combination is packed with fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and several vitamins and minerals. This combination will help keep you full and satisfied all morning.
Components and Substitutions
This one-pan oatmeal makes for a quick, easy, and pantry-friendly recipe, especially since you already have many of the ingredients in your kitchen.
Brownie Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Puree: Use soft, overripe bananas with lots of black spots. Alternatively, canned pumpkin puree (or sweet potatoes) or applesauce will work. It also works to replace eggs in this vegan baked oatmeal recipe.
- Oats: I like to use quick oats, which create a softer consistency. Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary. Quinoa, millet, or spelled flakes might also work, but I haven’t tried it.
- Cocoa powder: Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Baking powder: This helps create light, fluffy brownie baked oats.
- Nut butter: I use softened peanut butter to make a rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal. However, other nut or seed butters will also work. ie, hazelnut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter.
- Plant-based milk: Any unsweetened milk will work (almond milk, soy, cashew, etc.).
- Vanilla extract: Natural vanilla extract will have a superior flavor.
- Maple syrup: or other liquid sweetener. That is, sugar-free syrups like agave, brown rice syrup, or maple syrup substitutes.
Oil-free chocolate cream topping
To make a decadent yet ‘healthy’ oil-free chocolate cream topping for baked chocolate oatmeal I repeat some of the above ingredients, using:
- Cocoa powder
- the water
- Maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- Peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter, softened)
Alternatively, for a solid chocolate layer, melt two bars of dark chocolate (200g total) with a spoonful of melted coconut oil and use this instead of my oil-free chocolate layer.
Optional add-in
There are several ways you can experiment to enhance the flavor, texture, or nutrition in these baked chocolate oats, including:
- Chia seeds: Add 2-3 tbsp to boost fiber, protein, omegas and nutrients.
- Salt: A small amount of cocoa powder enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness of the chocolate banana oatmeal bake.
- Spices: Cinnamon or nutmeg enhance the flavor of the chocolate and work well.
- Extract: Play with flavors like peppermint, orange, almond etc.
- Coffee: Just a small amount (about ½ teaspoon) of instant coffee/espresso enhances the chocolate flavor. A little more of a fun mocha-baked oatmeal.
- Shredded coconut: Sprinkle a handful in or on top of baked oats.
- You don’t answer: Add a scoop of unflavored, vanilla, coffee, or chocolate protein powder of your choice and increase milk to about ¼ cup if needed.
- Nuts/Seeds: ie, pecans, walnuts, pepitas, almonds, hazelnuts, etc. In or on top of chocolate baked oats for texture, protein and heart-healthy fats.
- Stuffed Oatmeal: Press (or spoon) some pieces of chocolate Vegan Nutella) in the center of the oatmeal before baking.
Read the recipe card below for this Full ingredient list, Measurements, full recipe method, and nutrition information.
How to make chocolate baked oats?
Throw together this healthy oatmeal bake within minutes of baking and top it with a delicious chocolate cream.
- First, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and lightly grease a 6×9-inch (15x23cm) or similar-sized baking pan.
- Then, mash the bananas directly in the baking pan using a fork (or potato masher).
- Add the remaining oatmeal ingredients and mix into a batter.
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. The exact time will depend on the size of pan you use (ie, the thickness of the oatmeal).
To test if the baked chocolate oatmeal is set, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clear.
- Then, remove the pan from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate cream by combining all the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisking until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the chocolate cream mixture over the chocolate baked oatmeal and (optionally) transfer the pan to the fridge until the layer is slightly firm – then enjoy!
Storage instructions
shop: You can store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes it a great ‘make ahead’ breakfast, as you can prepare it at the beginning of the week to enjoy for several days.
freeze: Either freeze the whole dish, or cut it into portions first and freeze them separately (so you can easily thaw as much as you need). Store in a well-wrapped or airtight container for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat: For individual portions, use a microwave in 20-30 second increments. For a larger batch, reheat the chocolate baked oats in the oven at 350F/175C until hot (15-20 min–ish).
How to serve?
You can enjoy a portion of this delicious oatmeal dessert recipe for breakfast or dessert alone or with:
- Vegan whipped cream or vegan yogurt (plain or Greek yogurt style)
- ice cream
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes or shreds
- Fruit – such as banana slices or fresh berries
- drizzling rain Caramel or chocolate sauce
- A cup of tea or coffee
FAQs
What is the difference between using rolled oats vs quick oats?
The quick oats are thinned and broken down to a fine consistency, creating a soft chocolate oatmeal bake. In comparison, whole rolled oats create a thicker, chewier texture (like using oat flour vs. whole oats in a cookie).
If you want to mimic the texture of quick oats but only have rolled oats, use a high-speed blender to grind for a few seconds to a fine consistency. You can also use oat flour, which creates an almost cake-like texture.
Can I Use Steel-Cut Oats for This Brownie Baked Oatmeal?
Unfortunately, steel-cut oats take longer to cook and require quite a few recipe changes, don’t they?
Can I Air Fry Chocolate Baked Oats?
I haven’t tested it (yet), but you could try air frying them at 300F for about 13-18 minutes or until set.
Recipe notes and top tips
- Use high quality cocoa: This has a big effect on the final chocolate taste.
- Mix the ingredients well: To ensure that the flavor is evenly distributed.
- Adjust the sweetness: Increase the amount of personal taste.
- to separate parts: Separate the ingredients into small ramekins and reduce the baking time (check first at about 15 minutes).
- To bake thicker/thinner: Controlling the amount of milk you add and the baking time will affect how loose/firm the baked chocolate oats are.
More vegan oat recipes
If you try this Easy Chocolate Baked Oatmeal recipe, I would love one Comment and ★★★★★ Recipe rating Down below. Also, please don’t forget Tag me in a re-creation on Instagram or Facebook with @ellavegan #Elvegan – I love to see them.

Chocolate Baked Oats
Healthy yet decadent Chocolate Baked Oats are a quick, easy and delicious one-pan dessert or breakfast your whole family will love! Plus, this Brownie Baked Oatmeal is refined-sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free and gluten-free!
material
Chocolate cream (see note)
instructions
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You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.First, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and lightly grease a 6×9-inch (15x23cm) or similar-sized baking pan.
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Then, mash the bananas directly in the baking pan using a fork (or potato masher).
-
Add the rest of the baked oatmeal ingredients and mix into a batter.
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Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of pan you use (ie, the thickness of the oatmeal).To test if the baked chocolate oatmeal is set, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clear.
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Then, remove the pan from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate cream by combining all the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisking until smooth and creamy.
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Pour the chocolate cream mixture over the baked oatmeal and (optionally) transfer the pan to the fridge until the layer is slightly firm – then enjoy!
Comment
- Banana: If you don’t want to use banana, use pumpkin puree.
- Nut Butter: You can use almond butter or any other nut butter. Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Milk: Any dairy-free milk is fine, such as almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.
- Oats: I used quick oats, but rolled oats would also work well.
- Chocolate layer: If you prefer a firmer chocolate layer, melt 2 bars of dark chocolate (about 100g each) with a little coconut oil and use that instead of my oil-free chocolate layer.
nutrients
Chocolate Baked Oats
No. per job
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutritional information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
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