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This Chocolate Peppermint Baked Oatmeal Recipe is perfect for the holidays! It’s rich, chocolatey with a hint of mint, and packed with good-for-you ingredients.
This oatmeal bake is the best sit-down breakfast but it also works great as a grab-and-go option.
Healthy Baked Oatmeal Recipe
I can’t get enough of my oatmeal bakes. They’re so easy to make, they efficiently serve a crowd, and there are so many tasty flavor combinations.
This Chocolate Peppermint Baked Oatmeal Recipe is a favorite and one of my go-to holiday breakfast recipes. We’ve taken our classic oatmeal bake recipe and made it festive with the addition of chocolate and peppermint.
This oatmeal bake recipe is basically a dessert for breakfast, but it’s packed with nutrition, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and fiber-rich.
It’s quick and easy to make, so tasty, and easily prepared ahead of time!
Ingredients Needed
- Eggs – Eggs bind everything together so the baked oats can hold in a casserole shape.
- Almond Milk – I prefer almond milk but feel free to use whatever milk you have on hand.
- Maple Syrup – My sweetener of choice. If you don’t have maple syrup, honey will work too!
- Applesauce – Applesauce adds plenty of moisture to the baked oats and adds a layer of natural sweetness.
- Coconut Cooking Oil – A little bit of coconut oil adds flavor depth.
- Vanilla and Peppermint Extract – These two ingredients are essential to the finished flavor of the oats. Be careful not to add too much, though! A little bit goes a long way.
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats – Rolled oats are key! Other types of oats, such as instant or steel cut, will not yield the same texture.
- Chocolate Chips – These are optional but, of course, delicious! Use your favorite variety.
- Cocoa Powder – Cocoa powder gives the chocolate-baked oatmeal the chocolatey look and taste!
- Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are a great way to add an extra boost of nutritional value to your baked oatmeal recipe. If you don’t have chia seeds, you could try flax seeds or pumpkin seeds!
- Baking Powder – This helps create a lighter, fluffier texture. Without baking powder, the baked oats can become dense as they bake.
- Sea Salt – Cuts the sweetness of the oatmeal bake and brings out all of those flavors.
How to Make a Chocolate Peppermint Oatmeal Bake
- Combine the ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the eggs, then add in almond milk, maple syrup, applesauce, coconut oil, vanilla, and peppermint. Stir to combine, then add oats, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, chia, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Bake: Transfer the oat mixture to a greased baking dish, then bake at 350ºF for 40 minutes or until the center is just becoming firm.
Tips and Notes
- Grease and line the pan. At minimum be sure to grease the pan. I also like to line it with a parchment sling so it’s easier to lift the oatmeal bake out once it’s ready to serve.
- Use a good quality cocoa powder. It’s what gives the oatmeal bake all its chocolatey flavor. The off-brand stuff just isn’t quite the same.
- Play with sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet casserole, use 1/4 cup maple syrup. If you like it sweeter, use 1/3 cup maple syrup. If you’re not sure, go somewhere in between!
What is Baked Oatmeal?
Baked oatmeal is just an oatmeal casserole! It combines oats, almond milk, flavors, and eggs to create a delicious sit-down OR grab-and-go breakfast option.
Is Baked Oatmeal Good for You?
Yes! Baked oatmeal has all the nutrition of classic oatmeal plus the extra boost from the eggs and the chia seeds. It’s a hearty, well-rounded breakfast that everyone will love!
Can I Substitute Water for a Milk in Baked Oats?
Technically, yes. However, I recommend milk if you have it on hand! Water doesn’t yield the same rich flavor and creamy texture that milk does.
Variations
- Use other baking chips. I love dark chocolate chips, but this recipe works great with any baking chips you like. Try semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate!
- Add nuts. Give your healthy baked oatmeal an extra boost of healthy fats with a handful of chopped nuts. Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds all work great.
- Make peanut butter chocolate oatmeal. Skip the peppermint and swirl in a little bit of peanut butter. Additionally, use half peanut butter chips and half dark chocolate chips!
Serving Suggestions
This oatmeal bake can be served as-is or as an easy on-the-go breakfast. Pro tip, top this baked oatmeal with warmed almond milk, coconut flakes, toasted nuts, sliced fruit, nut butter, or even whipped cream to make it extra sweet!
It’s also the perfect addition to a big breakfast spread when you’re working with some extra time! Here are a few breakfast favorites:
- Air Fryer Bacon or Bacon in the Oven
- Poached Eggs
- Chocolate Gluten Free Donuts
- Pesto Potato Egg Bake
- Eggs Benedict Breakfast Sandwich
How to Store
Chocolate-baked oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, placed into a freezer-safe bag, and stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To enjoy it again, simply serve cold from the fridge, reheat in the microwave, or warm in the oven at 350ºF until heated through.
Meal Prep It!
Since this baked oatmeal recipe stores so well, it makes a great meal-prepping option! Make a ton of it, freeze it, then have breakfasts ready to go for weeks!
More Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast Recipes
- Sheet Pan Chorizo and Egg Bake
- Eggs Benedict Breakfast Bar
- Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Burritos
- Sheet Pan Classic Breakfast Bake
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Chocolate Peppermint Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup maple syrup see note
- 1/4 cup apple sauce
- 1 tablespoon Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Cooking Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips optional
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8″ x 8″ oven-safe dish. If desired, prepare a parchment sling by cutting out a piece of parchment paper slightly longer than the pan and placing it inside.
- In a large bowl add eggs and whisk to combine. Then almond milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Cooking Oil, and vanilla and peppermint extract and whisk to fully combine.
- To the wet ingredients add oats, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, chia, baking powder, and salt and mix until fully combined.
- Pour into prepared 8″x 8″ dish and bake for 40 minutes, until the center is just barely firm.
- Scoop and serve warm as is or with almond milk, or cool and slice into 9 square portions.
Mmm, this sounds so good. I was just looking around for a baked oatmeal recipe for pre-gym snacks. This should work a-ok with ground flax instead of eggs, right?
THanks. I’m making it now 🙂
Can you use steel oats for this recipe?
Hi Stef! Kelli here, part of the LCK team. You cannot use steel cut oats in this recipe, only old fashioned rolled oats!
This looks delicious. Can I substitute coconut cooking oil for regular coconut oil? Thanks
Hi Shoshana! Kelli here, part of the LCK team. Regular coconut oil works just fine here! Enjoy!
Perfect flavors ????
This has Christmas morning written all over it!
OMG!!! I love this- Chocolate and Peppermint are the best!
Baked oatmeal is such a great breakfast option for the Winter months. And especially when you add chocolate and peppermint! Love love love!