Flavorful and delicious, these Baked Steel Cut Oats are a great way to start the day! Oozing with the richness of raisins, pecans, and maple syrup, this Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe is the perfect breakfast or snack for your family.
Rich and chewy with notes of caramel deliciousness – you would think that these Steel Cut Oats Squares are more of a treat than a healthy breakfast. Who knew oatmeal could taste so delicious!
The chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness to have the kids loving it. If you are looking for steel cut oatmeal bars, this recipe can easily be cut into snack bars as well!
The prep time for this recipe is just minutes, it’s super easy to make and the perfect breakfast to make in advance.
Why This Recipe Works?
- A super healthy breakfast!
- Moist and incredibly tasty.
- Easy to prepare.
- Easily available ingredients.
- Perfect make-ahead breakfast.
- Top with fresh fruit.
- The Best Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe ever!!
Main Ingredients
This recipe uses super easy ingredients that can be purchased from a local grocery store if they are not already in your kitchen. Read the Recipe Card for the measurements.
- Steel Cut Oats – For a perfect chewy texture along with a nutty flavor, we recommend using steel cut oats. Steel cut oats are low in fat and high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
- Nuts – We use toasted pecans. You can substitute walnuts, almonds or any other nut of your choice.
- Whole Milk – works best for this recipe, though you can also use low fat milk as well.
- Eggs – We use 2 large eggs. Eggs are typically a baking essential and act as a glue.
- Pure Maple Syrup – Real maple syrup has a sweet, caramel and nutty flavor. You can also use honey if that is what is readily available.
- Spices – Ground cinnamon and nutmeg give a nice aroma as well as a sweet and earthy flavor to these steel cut baked oats.
- Unsalted Butter – Helps create a light and moist texture while adding flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – adds the perfect floral and sweet touch.
- Raisins – We have used raisins to add natural sweetness and chewy texture.
- Chocolate Chips – add sweetness that the kids love.
- Coconut – Though optional, shredded coconut adds sweetness and texture.
Equipment
Variations
- Vegan Baked Oatmeal Squares: To make this recipe of oatmeal squares vegan, you may use dairy free milk and replace eggs with oil or a flax egg.
- Gluten Free Oatmeal Squares: Oats are naturally free from gluten and therefore these oatmeal squares are gluten free. But sometimes the same processing facility is used as for wheat, so there is a possibility of mixing up some gluten with oats.
- Make Ahead Oatmeal Squares: This recipe of oatmeal squares is easily made in advance and can be enjoyed for up to 4 days while retaining a great freshly made taste.
- Add another topping: Add greek yogurt and fresh fruits or nuts as a topping to these oatmeal squares.
Steel Cut Oats Vs Rolled Oats
- Steel cut or Irish oats are the least processed oats as compared to the rolled oats. They are cut using a steel blade (hence the name) and are chewy in texture.
- Rolled oats are less chewy and creamier than the steel cut oats.
- The steel cut oats have more fiber than the rolled ones.
How To Store Leftover Healthy Oatmeal Squares?
Store leftovers in an airtight container. Take out an individual portion and microwave for a minute. They would be good in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
If you store them in the freezer, they would be good for 1-2 months. Let them come to room temperature before reheating for a quick breakfast.
How To Make Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal:
Step 1: Prep
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F with a rack in the top third of the oven. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Dry Mix
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, nuts, coconut (if using), baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Step 3: Wet Mix
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs together to break them up. Then add the milk, maple syrup, butter, vanilla and whisk to combine.
Step 4: Mix It
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir to combine.
Step 5: Stir It
- Scatter berries (if using) or raisins and chocolate chips into the mixture and give a good stir.
Step 6: Bake It
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 2-quart baking dish. We sometimes sprinkle a handful of rolled oats on top. This step is not necessary, but adds a little more texture.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F, then decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the top is golden and the oat mixture has set.
- Baking at the higher temperature for the first 30 minutes will give the oatmeal squares a rich caramel color and a slight crust on top.
- If you would like to make individual portions, divide your dry ingredients equally between 6 ramekins. Then pour the wet mix equally over the top. The liquid will reach the top of each ramekin. To prevent a a mess, we suggest lining a sheet pan or baking dish with parchment paper and placing the filled ramekins in the dish or pan to bake.
Serve with a Frittata or Blueberry Smoothie.
Steel cut oats are minimally processed. Because of this, they are considered to be the healthiest version of oats.
In this baked steel cut oatmeal recipe, we did not soak the steel cut oats. They were mixed with wet ingredients and let to rest for about 5-10 minutes until the oven reached the right temperature for baking.
Yes, the same recipe can be made on stovetop instead of baking. First you would have to bring milk or water to a boil and then gradually add dry ingredients and cook on slow flame while stirring so that the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe
Moist, flavorful and delicious, these Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal Squares are a great way to start the day! Oozing with the richness of raisins, pecans, and maple syrup, this Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe is the perfect breakfast or snack for your family.
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- ½ cup almonds, walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or 1/4 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or almond extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries or ½ cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F with a rack in the top third of the oven. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, nuts, coconut (if using), baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs together to break them up. Then add the milk, maple syrup, butter, vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir to combine.
- Scatter berries (if using) or raisins and chocolate chips into the mixture and give a good stir.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 2-quart baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees, then decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the top is golden and the oat mixture has set.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Our favorite way to enjoy these squares are with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit or a drizzle of peanut butter and maple syrup on top.
Notes
- We sometimes sprinkle a handful of rolled oats on top. This step is not necessary, but adds a little more texture.
- Baking at the higher temperature for the first 30 minutes will give the oatmeal squares a rich caramel color and a slight crust on top.
- If you would like to make individual portions, divide your dry ingredients equally between 6 ramekins. Then pour the wet mix equally over the top. The liquid will reach the top of each ramekin. To prevent a a mess, we suggest lining a sheet pan or baking dish with parchment paper and placing the filled ramekins in the dish or pan to bake.