Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is baked oatmeal as good for you as regular oatmeal? ›

"Baked oats are similar to standard oats," says Rachel Fine, RRD and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition. Fine points out that because oats are a naturally gluten-free whole grain, they have plenty of health benefits that won't bake-off. Oats are a "fabulous source of carbohydrates and soluble fiber," says Fine.

The reason? Oats absorb moisture as they sit—so if you let your batter sit before you bake, you'll run the risk of making a dense, thick, gummy baked oatmeal (when you really want a light, fluffy one), she explains.

Undercooked or Soggy Baked Oats

Increase the baking time slightly and make sure the oats are set before removing them from the oven. Additionally, double-check that you're using the correct ratio of liquid to oats, as too much liquid can result in a softer texture.

Oats contain fiber. Eating a diet high in fiber, such as 3.6 grams of oats daily, reduces the risk for heart disease. High cholesterol. Eating oats, oat bran, and other soluble fibers can somewhat reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat.

The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Cook on the stove (boil then simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally) or in the microwave (uncovered on high for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through) with a 1:2 oatmeal to liquid ratio. Use water or milk for sweet oatmeal, and water, milk, or stock for savory.

Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.

Cook for longer

The best way to achieve thicker oats is with time. This slow cooking process, usually taking around 10-15 minutes, allows the oats to absorb the liquid and become creamier.

Storage: The baked oats will keep well in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge. Freezing: You can freeze the baked oats before or after baking and it will keep for up to 3 months.

What are the best oats for baking? ›

Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.

Quick oats have a higher glycemic index

For this reason, steel-cut or rolled oats may be the best choice to support better blood sugar control. However, quick oats can also be included in a balanced diet by pairing them with toppings high in protein or fat, such as nuts or seeds, to support blood sugar control ( 12 ).

Plain, unflavored instant oatmeal and regular oatmeal are nutritionally very similar. While instant oatmeal offers the same health benefits as regular oatmeal, many instant oatmeal packets come with added flavors and sugars. Some brands and flavors may contain anywhere from 10 to 17 grams of added sugar.

What's more, a test-tube study discovered that raw oats release around 26% of their beta-glucan content during digestion, compared with only 9% for cooked oats. Thus, they may affect fat metabolism and cholesterol levels to a greater extent ( 11 ).