Easy Chocolate Baked Oats (Print Version)

A warm, fudgy oat dish blending banana and cocoa for a wholesome, comforting start to your day.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup rolled oats
02 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1 ripe banana, mashed
06 - 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
07 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Add-ins & Toppings

09 - 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two small ramekins or an oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together rolled oats, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, mash the ripe banana until smooth. Whisk in milk, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts if using.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared ramekins. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over the tops for extra chocolate flavor.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until oats are set and tops appear slightly cracked. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.
07 - Let ramekins cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally topped with a drizzle of milk or a dollop of yogurt.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like dessert for breakfast but keeps you full for hours thanks to the fiber and protein combo
  • The texture is incredibly fudgy and warm, almost like a freshly baked brownie straight from the oven
  • You can prep everything in one bowl and have it ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • Overbaking makes them dry and cakey instead of fudgy, so pull them out when they still have a slight wobble in the center
  • The riper your banana, the less sweetener you will need, so taste your batter before adding more maple syrup
  • These reheat surprisingly well in the microwave for 30 seconds, making them perfect for meal prep breakfasts
03 -
  • Use the darkest chocolate chips you can find for the most intense chocolate flavor
  • Mash your banana really well until no chunks remain for the smoothest texture

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