Vegan Baked Oatmeal Recipe (Easy and Healthy)

This easy and healthy vegan baked oatmeal recipe brightens the day with a gluten-free, whole food plant-based oatmeal breakfast cake made with dried cranberries, no added oil, and minimal prep that bakes in 30 minutes. 

Everyone can enjoy oats for breakfast with this delicious oatmeal bake. And just like my other favorite vegan recipes using oats - easy oatmeal and raisin bars or chewy oatmeal granola bars, this plant-based vegan oatmeal is naturally sweetened. 

Mix and match any combination of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit you like. Switch up the spices, beyond cinnamon and nutmeg, by grabbing the allspice or pumpkin pie spice. Breakfast is yours. Take it back!

⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Dried fruit and chopped nuts are easy pantry staples. 
• By popular demand, there are no bananas in this recipe (unless you substitute for the applesauce)
• Want fresh or frozen fruit? This recipe is happy to oblige. 
• Choose easy - meal prep the batter a day ahead and treat yourself to freshly baked oatmeal on busy mornings. 

📋 Recipe Ingredients

Oats. Whole rolled, old-fashioned oats yield the best texture.  Quick oats or instant oats are more highly processed and don’t bake the same. 

Flax seeds. Flax seeds, when mixed with water, mimic the behavior of eggs for baking. Use ground flax or chia seeds. I grind whole seeds and keep them handy for making the crust for vegan mushroom kale quiche. 

Apple sauce. Apple sauce replaces oil. Use ripe bananas as a substitute.  

Peanut butter.  I used creamy peanut butter with no added sugar or salt. Almond butter or cashew butter are good alternatives. 

Maple syrup.  Date paste is another healthy option. Even better, date paste is easy to make. Substitute with an equal amount of coconut sugar or brown sugar.  

Plant-milk. Any non-dairy milk works (I usually use oat or almond milk). Light coconut milk is a little thick, so use a few tablespoons more if you use it. 

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

📖 Recipe Variations

For a sweeter bite, add a handful of vegan chocolate chips. 

⏲️ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the flax eggs first. Then mix the wet ingredients in a small bowl. 

Step 2: Toss the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients, cranberries, and nuts. 

Step 3: Spread the oatmeal mixture in a small baking dish. 

Step 4: Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. 

How to Test for Doneness

Baked oatmeal should have a soft and tender, cake-like texture. The center should be firm when lightly pressed with your finger. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. If the center is soggy, the oats likely need a little more time in the oven. 

🥣 Pro Tips

• Make the flax eggs first. Then, gather the rest of the ingredients and preheat the oven.
• I’ve always used a small 8x11-inch glass baking dish for baked oats, and it's never stuck to the bottom. You can use a square baking dish or cake tin of a similar size. 

🍴 Serving Suggestions

A slice of baked oatmeal is delicious straight from the baking dish. Side it with your favorite fruits. I like to small dice-soft fruits or thaw mixed frozen fruit and add it over the top. 

The savory flavor of tempeh breakfast sausage patties or smoky plant-based bacon slices is a delicious contrast of flavors. 

💭 Frequently Asked Questions