Baked Strawberry Oatmeal

How to Make Baked Strawberry Oatmeal:

This oatmeal recipe takes no time at all to prep and you can make the optional vanilla glaze and strawberry sauce while it bakes.

To Make the Oatmeal:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, milk, eggs, walnuts, maple syrup, mashed banana, butter, vanilla, baking powder, and salt until combined.
3. Then carefully fold in ¾ cup of diced strawberries.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining ¼ cup of strawberries.
5. Bake the oatmeal for 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is almost set. It should be soft in the middle and not completely dry. If you prefer a drier baked oatmeal, continue baking for a few more minutes.

To Make the Strawberry Sauce:

1. Place the strawberries and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring the ingredients to a boil.
2. Stir occasionally until the sugar melts then reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, add the lemon juice, and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
4. Transfer the strawberry mixture to a heat-safe blender and process until smooth.
5. Pour through a mesh sieve to remove any seeds. Drizzle over the baked strawberry oatmeal.

To Make the Vanilla Glaze:

1. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Start with less milk and only add more milk if needed until you reach the desired consistency.
2. Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the oatmeal and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
• Choose rolled oats instead of instant or steel-cut to create a creamy consistency.
• Toast the walnuts before adding them to the oatmeal mixture as it will enhance their flavors.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or other spices to enhance the flavors of this dish.
• Incorporate a teaspoon of any fruit preserves you have on hand into your glaze for an extra hint of sweetness!
• Sprinkle some chocolate chips over the top during baking if desired for a layer of chocolate goodness.
• If you’re serving the oatmeal right away, let it cool slightly so it has time to set.
• Top each serving with freshly made strawberry sauce or diced fruits like kiwi, banana, or blueberries.
• The strawberry sauce and vanilla glaze are optional but add a nice touch to this oatmeal.

Storage:

Refrigerator: Store leftover baked oatmeal in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. It’s best to store the glaze and strawberry sauce separately from the oatmeal.

Reheating: Reheating an individual serving in the microwave at half power until warmed through. Reheat an entire pan in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.