Simple Baked Oats — Melinda Lamarche

I’m not one to field multiple meal requests, one meal for everyone, life is easier that way and short order cooking can contribute to pickier eating. Though once in a while, it’s fun to serve something that each of my kids can add their own touch to and this Simple Baked Oats is just the thing. Plain, no add ins other than puréed dates and applesauce for some sweetness but you can’t really pick up the flavour of either ingredient, so these baked oats are a blank canvas. I served this dish as part of a breakfast bar with each of my kids’ favourite toppings to complete their breakfast. One went for PB and banana, one went for almond butter and strawberry chia jam and my little guy chose blueberries and yogurt. Each of them added a few chocolate chips for good measure. Fun breakfast, easy, simple and yummy. It’s a one bowl recipe that you can bake up on the weekend and serve hot or cold, all week long. Oh and did I mention that baby loved this too?! Its a win!

Simple Baked Oats

Dry ingredients

3 cups quick oats or rolled oats

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

dash of salt

Wet ingredients

1 3/4 cup milk (any variety)

1/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup date puree (or mashed banana or plain yogurt or more applesauce)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 11x7” baking dish
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well
Pour into baking dish
Bake for 40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean
Add fave toppings: chocolate chips, berries, banana, chia jam, nut or seed butter, yogurt and fruit