Baked Blueberry Banana Oatmeal

If you've ever clicked on the Recipes tab at the top of this page you probably already know that we are pretty big fans of breakfast here at 4 Pears.  My kids eat homemade pancakes most mornings and just yesterday Mr Pears was saying that he thought he could eat breakfast for every meal.  Not to mention my egg obsession.  So, yeah, breakfast is popular.

But it isn't all pancakes and eggs around here.  All of us really like oatmeal too.  Even the little ones love to steal  Mommy's steel cut oatmeal.  They don't, however, like to wait for their breakfast.  So those homemade pancakes?  I make them ahead and freeze them.  And since there is no way these little fellas are going to wait 40 minutes for me to make them some delicious oatmeal, I am happy to report that this baked oatmeal is a great make ahead meal.  Just cut out a square a microwave it for 30 seconds.  In a flash you'll have oatmeal with warm blueberries and bananas baked inside.  If you are more patient than my little lovies, you can just enjoy a nice cup of coffee while it bakes, it is pretty awesome right out of the oven too.  Have a nice weekend, I hope you try this one out!

Baked Blueberry and Banana Oatmeal, adapted from Ambrosia Baking
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
1 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon almond extract
2-3 ripe bananas, sliced
1 cup fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

In a small bowl mix together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.   Spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray and then spread your bananas and half of the blueberries in a single layer along the bottom of the dish.  Sprinkle the oatmeal mixture evenly over the fruit.

Now mix together the wet ingredients in your empty bowl and then pour them evenly over the oatmeal.  Top with the rest of the blueberries and then bake the dish for about 35 minutes.  Enjoy it warm out of the oven or, as I said above, reheat it for 30 seconds in the microwave.  The oatmeal keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3 days.