This post is in partnership with California Giant Berry Farms. As always, all opinions are my own, but it’s a true joy to partner with a family owned farm that never sprays their naturally large and non-GMO strawberries with pesticides!
Back to school season always reminds me of the holidays a little bit. There’s so much to get done, so many items to buy and things like eating healthy often get put on the back burner. Relying on make ahead meals is often the only way I can make a hot meal happen during these extra busy seasons. And let’s face it- a hot breakfast somehow just feels a little more nourishing!
Oatmeal is one of those stick to your ribs kind of breakfasts and this oatmeal bake is guaranteed to make both kiddos and parents happy. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to prepare and has nourishing ingredients like rolled oats, ground flax seed and lots of strawberries! Many of you know from previous blog posts and social posts how much I love California Giant Berry Farms! They are a family farm that never sprays their non-GMO berries with pesticides and their strawberries are naturally large! You can probably tell from the photo those are some nice sized slices on top of the oatmeal and that’s due to California Giant Berry Farm’s perfect combination of an ideal location, soil, and climate!
And because California Giant Berry Farms is a family farm, they value what it takes for the family to get back in the swing of classes, carpooling and after school activities! They want to make the transition as easy possible so they’ve created resources to help busy parents with easy and good-for-you lunchbox inspiration!
I’ve worked with countless parents who struggle to get their kids to eat breakfast. Many have shared with me their child is more willing to eat a hot breakfast, but that usually takes more time to prepare. This oatmeal bake solves that problem in a flash!
This recipe makes 6 servings (8 servings if you have little eaters), but you can easily double the recipe depending on how large your family is. It reheats wonderfully, but also tastes great cold if that’s more your thing. I’ve always been a fan of the strawberries and cream oatmeal (which doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value) and also the classic combination of strawberry and banana. This recipe gives a nod to both and is super kiddo-friendly despite having a nice amount of protein and fiber!
The texture is hearty and you can’t beat the sweetness of the California Giant strawberries! It also isn’t too shabby served cold and could be the perfect way to switch up an afternoon snack!
KISS Strawberry Oatmeal Bake
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
- 1 1/2 cups CHOPPED California Giant Berry Farms strawberries plus 1/2 cup SLICED strawberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional) If adding sliced almonds, remove oatmeal from oven after about 20 minutes, sprinkle almonds on top, and cook the remaining 15 minutes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 2 quart baking dish.*
- Chop strawberries and reserve 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries for topping (see photo).
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, mashed banana, egg, melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Mix together the oats, ground flax seed, baking powder and salt and add to the liquid mixture. Stir in chopped strawberries until combined.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and place remaining strawberry slices on top of oatmeal.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until oatmeal is set (insert a toothpick into the middle and it should come out mostly clean).
- Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve oatmeal with additional strawberries, yogurt or milk, if desired.
Notes
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28 Responses
This looks awesome, definitely pinning this for later! Baked oatmeal and overnight oats are such a lifestyle, we have them at our house almost every week!
Totally hear you on the lifestyle! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Beauty! This is so pretty – it’s great for back to school but I could see making it for a brunch or party, too 🙂
Thank you! That’s such a great idea, Ginger! I would love to eat this for brunch!
Now this is a breakfast that my entire family would love! Love that it’s heartier than traditional strawberry and cream oatmeal and the fact that it is good served cold is an added bonus.
Thanks so much, Brynn! I hope y’all get to try it out!
Your strawberry oatmeal bake is absolutely gorgeous and looks incredibly delicious! I love strawberries and I love making (or prepping) ahead so I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Thank you so much, Whitney! Prepping ahead is the only way us new mamas will stay fed sometimes!
This looks SO good! I love the creativity and colours! I want some now haha!
Thank you, Katey! Hope you get to try it out!
This bake looks fantastic shannon! What a great make ahead breakfast!
Thanks so much, Lindsey! It is so easy (and delicious) to heat and serve!
I love this recipe! I do something similar and add chia seeds for extra fiber, but I love your addition of flax seeds too! I like to serve it for dinner when my hubby’s out of town-he’s not a fan of “brinner” like the rest of us are 🙂
Your version sounds delicious, EA! And I hear you- my husband isn’t a huge fan of just this for a meal, but he surprised me and enjoyed some for breakfast the other day. I don’t think it would go over very well for dinner (for him). 😉
Wow, this strawberry oatmeal bake looks fantastic, Shannon! I have so been craving an oatmeal bake recently. Definitely saving this for later!
Thanks, Stacey! Let me know what you think when you try it!
Love this beauty of a breakfast. Even though my little ones aren’t in school yet, I am always looking for ways to make our mornings run a bit smoother. And, am in desperate need of new breakfast ideas like this! Can’t wait to try this bake.
Thank you, Jenny! I hear you- I’m always trying to come up with new breakfast ideas so I don’t stay in a morning rut. Hope this recipe is as refreshing to your menu as it was mine!
Beautiful breakfast idea! I’ve never pared strawberries with oatmeal before but it sounds fabulous!
Thank you, Bridget! It’s one of my favorite combos; hope you get to try it out!
I have been looking for more make-ahead breakfast ideas and this one is perfect!!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you found it helpful, Erin! Thanks for stopping by!
This is so cute for back-to-school, the strawberries look like little hearts! Healthy and delicious make-ahead breakfasts are a great idea for adults and kids alike. Love this!
When does the flax seed get added? Is it intended as an egg replacement?
Hi Chris. Great catch- sorry I left that ingredient out of the instructions! It’s in there now :). Add in with the oats, baking powder and salt. It’s not meant to be an egg replacement, but that’s a great question! If you’re looking to make the dish vegan-friendly, then you definitely could use it as such! Thanks for stopping by!
Strawberry baked oatmeal… with banana and maple syrup, how perfect is that??! This looks gorgeous too, perfect for a weekend brunch as well as every day breakfast. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Love a good oatmeal bake! Anytime I can prep a grab & go breakfast I’m all for it!
This looks so creamy and dreamy.