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Start your day on a delicious note with these Baked Oatmeal Cups bursting with fruity goodness. Whether you have a batch in the fridge or freezer, these versatile cups are a convenient and nutritious breakfast option that will delight both adults and kids alike.
Whether you are looking to diversify your breakfast menu, want a convenient on-the-go breakfast option, enjoy meal prepping, or want a hassle-free finger food for little ones, these fruity baked oatmeal cups are the ideal solution.
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Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Different Way to Enjoy Oatmeal - Texture and appearance can play a big part in a child's acceptance of food. My youngest really wasn't interested in eating porridge/oatmeal when he was younger, but would happily eat these baked oatmeal cups (as well as these porridge fingers and oatmeal cookies).
- Great for Busy Mornings - You can make a big batch and store in the freezer for a super quick breakfast option.
- Hand Held - Fantastic for baby-led weaning or toddlers.
- Great for lunchboxes - The perfect size for popping into lunchboxes or snack box.
- Easy to Modify - The flavour combinations are endless.
Ingredient Information
For the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bananas - Provides natural sweetness, moisture and binding properties. No substitutes have been tested but an alternative suggestion would be apple puree/apple sauce.
- Rolled Oats - The base ingredient for the baked oatmeal cups
- Egg - Helps to bind and hold the ingredients together and provide structure to the baked oatmeal cups. The egg can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoon of the milk and whisked until gelatinous.
- Milk - Adds moisture and any type of milk can be used, depending on personal preference.
- Vanilla - Adds a hint of sweetness and warmth. You can skip or replace with almond extract or spices such as cinnamon or cardamom.
- Frozen Mixed Berries - Provides bursts of fruity flavour. You can substitute with fresh.
- Coconut Oil - Used to grease the muffin tin, to prevent the oatmeal cups from sticking. You can alternatively use cooking spray or butter for greasing.
Alternative Flavour Options
Although this is a mixed berry baked oatmeal cup recipe the recipe is easy to adapt and the flavour options are endless. Why not try...
- Apple & Cinnamon - Replace mixed berries with finely chopped apple pieces, cinnamon and raisins (pre-soak raisins to stop burning).
- Carrot Cake - Replace mixed berries with grated carrot, grated apple, cinnamon, ginger, raisins (pre-soak raisins to stop burning).
- Coconut and Mango - Use coconut milk and replace the berries with chunks of mango
- Bakewell Tart - Use almond milk, and replace mixed berries with cherries and almond flakes
These are just a few suggestions, the combinations are endless really. If you make your own version then I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment below!
Step By Step Instructions (& Cooking Tips)
This section features step-by-step photos for visual reference. The complete recipe can be found by scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine the mashed bananas and oats in a large mixing bowl, stirring until mixed well.
- Pour in the milk, egg, and vanilla, and stir until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Add the berries into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
TIP: Allow the berries to thaw a little. Take care and break down the larger berries. This is particularly important if you're using a mini muffin tray, as an excessive amount of large berries may result in the oatmeal muffins becoming soggy and they may not hold their shape or structure. - Divide the mixture evenly among the 24-cup section of a mini muffin tray and bake.
TIP: To prevent soggy bottoms, consider layering some oatmeal mixture without the berries at the bottom followed by more of the mixture containing the berries. This will help distribute the berries throughout the muffins, avoiding excess berries at the bottom.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can just use a regular muffin tray. The cooking time is longer (approx. 25 mins) but they work just as well.
Store in a covered, air-tight, container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. I personally store any that I will not use the next day in the freezer.
Oatmeal cups can be enjoyed both cold or hot. If you wish to reheat, the microwave is your fastest and quickest option.
Microwave until warm throughout, about 30-60 seconds (depending on the microwave).
Oatmeal cups can be introduced when your baby reaches the developmental stage for solid foods and is comfortable with exploring finger foods (6 months of age or older). It's important to note that these oatmeal cups contain dairy, which is a common food allergen. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce dairy safely before offering these cups. Cow's milk should not be given as a beverage until after the baby's first birthday. However, incorporating small amounts of cow's milk as an ingredient in solid food, such as in oatmeal cups, is ok. Alternatively, you can use your baby's milk as a substitute.
If your baby has celiac disease, it's essential to check product labels and choose certified gluten-free oats. Although oats are naturally gluten-free, many oats and oat products may have cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains, making them unsuitable for those with gluten sensitivity.
More Oatmeal Recipes
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Baked Oatmeal Cups
Equipment
- 1 Mini Muffin Tray
Ingredients
- 2 Ripe bananas ,mashed
- 200g (2 cups) Rolled oats
- 1 Egg ,beaten
- 180ml (¾ cup) Milk ,of choice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (optional)
- 150g (1¼ cup) Frozen Mixed Berries ,slightly thawed
- 1 teaspoon Coconut oil ,for greasing
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 180c (fan) / 350F / Gas 4 and grease a mini muffin tray (or standard muffin tray)
- In a large mixing bowl add the mashed bananas and oats, and stir until combined.
- Add the milk, egg & vanilla and stir until fully combined.
- Add the berries and stir until evenly distributed throughout. Break up some of the bigger berries as you stir them through the mixture.
- Divide the mixture between the 24-cup sections (mini tray)
- Bake until cooked through (a cocktail stick should come out clean) approx. 18 minutes if using a mini muffin tray or approx. 25 min if using a standard tray.
Video
Recipe Notes
- BERRIES TIP - Break down larger berries as you mix them through the oats. This is particularly important if you're using a mini muffin tray, as an excessive amount of large berries may result in the oatmeal muffins becoming soggy. To further prevent soggy bottoms, consider layering some oatmeal mixture without the berries at the bottom followed by more of the mixture containing the berries.
- DAIRY FREE - This recipe works well with both dairy and plant-based milk.
- EGG FREE - You can replace the egg with a flax egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds with 3 tablespoon of the milk until it forms a gel.
- STORAGE - Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months
Nutritional facts
* Originally posted Feb 2016, updated June 2019 to include new photos and recipe information.
Kathi
I simply just love this recepy 🙂
Amy
Thanks Kathi 🙂
Darcy Ayers
This is a very easy and acceptable
Snack or breakfast food for toddlers! Thank you.
Amy
Thanks Darcy 🙂
Jamie P
Just want to say how much I appreciate your recipes and I've been making them since my oldest was able to eat finger foods! Now making them all over again for my 10 month old. Without your recipes I would have been so lost! Thank you for all you do!
Amy
Thank you so much Jamie, you have made my day. It is comments like this that makes me love creating this site 🙂
G Pickering
Followed recipe exactly, and I'm a very competent baker, but the results were poor. Really quite dense and not at all suitable for baby led weaning as it just gummed together in their mouth and became very hard to process or swallow. My 3 year old took a bite and left the rest, so not a fan either. I might try with some flour and a rising agent, or less banana
Amy
I'm sorry you feel that way but thank you for the feedback. Were you expecting these to be more like muffins as they are cooked in a muffin tray? They are really more of a hand held baked oatmeal. My kids never had a problem with these as babies and I actually still make this years later as an easy freezable breakfast or snack.
Rebecca Cohane
I love this recipe! I always love to have these on hand for breakfast or snack
Amy
Thank you, I'm so happy you love them 🙂
Danielle
My baby has an egg allergy so I substituted a flax egg in and they still turned out great and held up well! My baby loves them and I have to hold myself back from going into her freezer stash and having some for myself!
Amy
Great to know, thank you Danielle.
Yulca
Made this (plant-based) today & added 2 tbsp of hemp & chia seeds each for extra nutrients. Huge hit wit 6 mo & 2 yo! Love all the different flavor combos, too. A keeper for years to come, thx.
Amy
Great to know, thank you 🙂
Joyce
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I blended the oats and added 1 small date with chopped up frozen strawberries and my 17 months old absolutely love love love them!! Thanks so much!!
Amy
Brilliant, thanks Joyce 🙂
Jennie
I just made these this morning for my 1 year old who has been a little pickier lately on what he will feed himself. He gobbled up three of these! I used fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries cut into smaller pieces before mixing in. I’m excited to try some other combos for him!
Amy
Always lovely to hear, thanks Jennie
Christina
Hello! Wondering if I can use water instead of milk or milk alternatives for the recipe. I’m exclusively breastfeeding my baby and she’s too young for other types of milk. I don’t have enough extra breastmilk to try that either. Thank you!
Amy
Hi Christina, I haven't tried so can't guarantee the results but I'd say it would be worth a try.
Sarah
Hi Christina, I also exclusively breastfed and When your child is ready to starts solids they are ready for milk/milk subs in baked/cooked goods (barring an allergy)
Binty
This recipe was a massive hit with my 14 month old. She has one everyday before nursery.
Amy
Fantastic! Thanks Binty 🙂
Kathryn Ball
Really appreciate the included flavor variations! My baby gets bored if I make the same flavors too many times in a row.
Amy
Thanks Kathryn 🙂
Hannah
Is there anything I could substitute the banana for? Or would it work without the banana? I find they constipate my baby. She’s also allergic to eggs and milk so I’d be using flax seed and oat milk.
Amy
Hi Hannah, the banana sweetens and helps to bind. I haven't tried an alternative but apple sauce/puree may work. Do ripe bananas also constipate your little one? Ripe bananas are great in this recipe. Hope the recipe works for you with all the alterations 🙂
Jk
Can I use baby oats instead ?
Amy
Hi JK, I haven't tested it with baby oats. I think it would work but they may be a little dense. Maybe worth trying 50:50 first.
Ash
Looking forward to try this with my baby who is weaning! For clarification, in the reheating instructions, when you say "Alternatively, cook the oatmeal cups directly from frozen." what does it mean to cook? Is microwave the only option?
Amy
Hi Ash, I always microwaved them. You can try popping them back in the oven but I haven't tested this so can't give timings and can't say how they will turn out.
Ana Pallarez
I've been buying "Bobo's Oat Bites" and "Member's Mark Oat Bites", and came across your recipe. You'll be thrilled to know that even the older ones love Oat Bites 😉
My 16, 10, 8 and 6 year old couldn't live a day without; and now they can make their own, thanks to you! Appreciate the recipe very much.
Amy
Hi Ana, so glad you stumbled across the recipe and that your kids enjoy them. Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
Sara Cline
Made the berry version for my 9 month old and she loves them! For the mango version, would I use refrigerated coconut milk that comes in a carton like almond milk or do I use canned coconut milk?
Amy
Hi Sara, So glad your little one loved them. I use canned coconut milk 🙂
Gigi
Great recipe. Next time I will replace banana with quark cheese and add different frozen vegetables.
Amy
Thanks Gigi, I'd be interested to see how that turns out - please let me know 🙂
Gigi
I ended up using yogurt. We were low on quark and since it is my almost 10 month old's favurite snack I didn't want to use it. I used 3 eggs, a mix of frozen peas, corn and pepper, paprika and oreganoa. It was a hit.
Amy
Great to know, thanks Gigi
Gigi
Update. I made them with quark cheese and they came out better than the yogurt version. It has been our baby's favorite bedtime snack.
KB
Are these suitable for a 6+ month baby? Or can I blend the oats so they are finer.
Amy
Hi KB, yes you can blend the oats if you wish. I would keep a little texture though or they could become too dense.