This baked vegan banana oatmeal casserole defines breakfast comfort. It's warm, cozy, and made just how you like it. A nutritious, tasty casserole that fills you up and can be prepared in advance for effortless mornings. Plus, it's free from refined sugar and oil, keeping the start of your day healthy!
This baked oatmeal is like a soft granola bar meets moist cake with chewy brownie center vibes—crisp on the edges, tender inside, and packed with cinnamon warmth.
It has that perfect balance of wholesome and indulgent, just like my Biscoff Baked Oats—both are hearty, cozy, and taste like dessert for breakfast!
Bananas and cinnamon are two great flavors that taste great together. They are my favorite duo in my flavor universe.
You'll find them swirling in my smoothies, cozying in High-Protein Vegan Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats, and incorporated into vegan desserts like this Vegan Banana Bread With Walnuts.
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Why You'll Love This Breakfast Casserole
- Like these High-Protein Overnight Pumpkin Oats, this baked oatmeal casserole can be prepped the night before.
- It comes out soft and chewy, and the whole crew at home will love it, especially when they get to throw their favorite toppings into the mix.
- This healthy kickoff to your day won't drag you down; instead, it'll leave you feeling energized.
- It's great for holidays or big gatherings.
- It’s a cinch to make, a champion of meal prep, and hey, it’s waving the vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free flags.
- It’s a one-bowl prep, and no mixer is required.
Ingredients
Not a bad-looking family pic of healthy ingredients. Easy on the eyes and easy to find. See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Baked Vegan Banana Oatmeal Casserole
Here's a sneak peek at the process. The toughest task is mashing the banana, which is a breeze with a fork. See the recipe card for details on this super easy recipe.
Step 1: Add a banana to the bowl and mash with a fork.
Step 2: Combine the remaining ingredients into the bowl and mix well.
Step 3: Add the oats until well combined with the rest of the mixture. It will be liquidy but don't worry because the oats will soak that up.
Step 4: Pour the oat mixture into a greased 8x8 casserole dish. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for an hour or more.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 35 minutes in the center rack of your oven. It will be set in the center and golden brown on top when ready.
Step 6: Top with maple syrup and slices of bananas. See suggestions for more options.
Top Tips
- Rolled oats, or the Old Fashioned Oats, are your best bet for this baked oatmeal, offering a delightful chewiness without turning to mush. Steel-cut oats can be a bit tough for this gig. Quick oats can work, but they will turn out super chewy.
- Soak the oats in milk to achieve a tenderer casserole texture. I've had success with soaking times ranging from a couple of hours to overnight.
- Bake your oatmeal in a dish that speaks to you (not literally, of course). A deeper, smaller dish can give you moister oatmeal, while a larger, shallow one leans towards more firm. I use an 8x8 casserole.
- Allowing your baked oatmeal to chill out for a 5 minutes after it leaves the oven helps everything come together - the flavors get cozy and mingle, and it firms up just right. Patience, young grasshopper.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with a drizzle of maple syrup or a vegan creamer.
- You can also consider a dollop of vegan yogurt, a drizzle of peanut butter, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or even a fist full of vegan chocolate chips. My personal favorite - extra banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- For a super filling option, make an oatmeal bake parfait. Make layers of sliced baked oatmeal, parfait-style, with vegan yogurt and top with bananas or berries.
- You can serve it at a brunch along with other vegan fare like vegan banana bread, healthy banana mini muffins, and vegan French toast casserole.
Vegan Oat Casserole FAQS
Store your vegan cinnamon-baked oats casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Yes. Just ensure it's properly cooled, slice it into individual portions for easier thawing, and store it in freezer-friendly containers or freezer-safe bags. This way, you’ve got an instant breakfast or snack ready whenever the craving strikes!
When you're ready to reheat, pop a slice in the microwave for about a minute or until it's warm.
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Baked Vegan Banana Oatmeal Casserole. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Baked Vegan Banana Oatmeal Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana mashed
- 1 ½ cups plant-based milk I use oat milk
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
Toppings
- maple syrup
- vegan yogurt
- banana slices
Instructions
- Mash the Banana: In a large bowl, mash the banana with a fork until it no longer resembles a banana.
- Blend Ingredients: In the same bowl add the milk, maple syrup, applesauce, flax seed meal, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Stir well until everything is combined.
- Add Oats: Add the oats and incorporate them with the mixture thoroughly.
- Pour into a Baking Dish: Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or 1 ½ quart casserole and pour in the oat mixture. Smooth out the top.
- Rest: Cover and let the casserole rest for at least an hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Bake: When ready to bake, let it sit out of the fridge while your oven preheats to 375°F (190°C). Cook for 30-35 minutes uncovered in the center rack until the top is golden and the oats are set. They should feel pretty firm to the touch.
- Cool & Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with a splash of vegan creamer, a drizzle of maple syrup, slices of bananas, or a scoop of vegan yogurt. See serving suggestions for more ideas.
Alan says
OMG another hit - this was super easy but almost too good as I couldn't stop eating!!!
Regi Pearce says
Thanks, Alan. So glad you loved it!