Baked Oats, Air-Fried: A Quick, Healthy Breakfast Option

Baked oats are a popular breakfast option that can be made in an air fryer. They are a fun, high-protein breakfast option that is healthy, moist, and can taste like cake. The recipe is simple and quick to make, with preparation and cooking taking under 20 minutes. The ingredients are simple and healthy, and the recipe is customisable and vegan-friendly. The air fryer method is also a great alternative to using an oven, as it is quicker and uses less oil.

Recipe ingredients

The ingredients for air fryer baked oats are simple and can be adjusted to suit your taste. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:

• Oats: You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or gluten-free certified rolled oats if you prefer gluten-free. Do not use steel-cut oats as they are too hard.
• Egg: This helps to bind the ingredients together and adds protein. For a vegan option, you can substitute the egg with a flax egg or mashed banana.
• Banana: Use a ripe banana with brown spots to add natural sweetness and moisture to the oats.
• Milk: Any type of milk can be used, such as almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or regular cow's milk.
• Vanilla extract: This adds flavour and sweetness to the oats.
• Baking powder: It helps the oats rise and gives them a fluffy texture.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon enhances the flavour and gives the oats a warm, spicy note.
• Sweetener (optional): You can add honey, maple syrup, or another sweetener of your choice to make the oats sweeter.
• Mix-ins (optional): Chocolate chips, blueberries, peanut butter, almond butter, or other ingredients of your choice can be added for extra flavour and texture.
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 banana
• Optional: 1 tbsp sweetener, 1 tbsp peanut butter, and/or 2 tbsp mix-ins

Simply blend all the ingredients together, pour the mixture into a greased ramekin, and air fry at 290°F-350°F for 12-15 minutes. You can customise the recipe by adding your favourite mix-ins or toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe instructions

Ingredients:

• Oats (rolled oats or quick oats, not steel-cut oats)
• Baking powder
• Banana (ripe/over-ripe with brown spots for extra sweetness)
• Milk (oat milk, almond milk, or any other variety)
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Honey or maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
• Peanut butter or almond butter (optional)
• Chocolate chips or other desired mix-ins (blueberries, sprinkles, etc.)

Utensils:

• Measuring tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, and 1/2 cup.
• High-speed blender
• Ramekins or small baking dish
• Air fryer

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 290°F-350°F.
• Grease a single-serve ramekin or small baking dish.
• Add all the ingredients to the blender, except for your desired mix-ins. You can add nut butter for extra flavour, if desired.
• Blend on high for 20-30 seconds until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
• Stir in your desired mix-ins.
• Pour the batter into the greased ramekin and top with extra mix-ins, if desired.
• Air fry at 290°F-350°F for 12-15 minutes. Check the oats at the 7-minute mark to ensure they are not burning. If the top is browning too quickly, cover with aluminium foil.
• The baked oats are ready when they are slightly browned on top with crispy edges. Enjoy!

Tips:

• Blend the ingredients thoroughly for super fluffy, soft, and moist baked oats.
• Grease your ramekin to prevent the oats from sticking.
• Preheat your air fryer for an even cook.
• Check the oats at the 7-minute mark to ensure they are not burning.
• Experiment with different mix-ins and flavours to make the recipe your own.
• Do not overcook the oats, as they will become dry and burnt. They are ready when they have risen and have a little golden dome on top, similar to a cake or muffin.

Recipe variations

Flavours and Mix-ins

You can experiment with different mix-ins and toppings, such as nuts, fruits, or chocolate chips, to add extra flavour and texture to your baked oats. Here are some ideas:

• Peanut butter: add 1 tablespoon to the batter
• Almond butter: add 1 tablespoon to the batter
• Chocolate chips or chunks: add 1-2 tablespoons to the batter after blending
• Blueberries: add 2 tablespoons to the batter after blending
• Apple: add 2 tablespoons of cut-up apple pieces to the batter after blending
• Carrot cake: add 3 tablespoons of shredded carrots to the batter
• Pumpkin spice: swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice
• Extra banana slices: add a few slices on top before air-frying
• Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles: add 1-2 tablespoons to the batter after blending
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: add 1-2 tablespoons to the batter after blending
• Walnuts, pecans, or almond slivers: add 2 tablespoons to the batter after blending
• Raspberries, blackberries, or strawberry slices: add 2 tablespoons to the batter after blending

Vegan option

To make this recipe vegan, use dairy-free chocolate and milk. You can use oat, coconut, or unsweetened almond milk. For the sweetener, use maple syrup instead of honey.

Egg substitute

If you don't want to use an egg, you can try using a flax egg. The texture may be softer, but it should still work.

Gluten-free option

To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free certified rolled oats.

Recipe tips

Ingredients

• Oats: Use rolled oats, either old-fashioned or quick-cooking, but not steel-cut oats. If you are gluten-intolerant, be sure to use gluten-free certified rolled oats.
• Liquid: Use milk, either dairy or non-dairy. Good non-dairy options include almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, rice milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk.
• Leavening agent: Include a leavening agent such as baking powder to give the baked oats a light and fluffy texture.
• Sweetener: Sweeten your baked oats with a ripe banana, honey, maple syrup, or a sweetener of your choice.
• Flavourings: Add cinnamon, vanilla extract, peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter for flavour.
• Mix-ins: Try chocolate chips, blueberries, shredded coconut, walnuts, pecans, or almond slivers.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 290°F–350°F (149°C–177°C).
• Grease a single-serve ramekin or small baking dish.
• Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Stir in your desired mix-ins.
• Pour the batter into the greased ramekin and top with extra mix-ins.
• Air fry for 12–15 minutes. Check the baked oats at the 7-minute mark to ensure they are not burning.
• The baked oats are done when they are slightly browned on top with crispy edges.

Storage

Baked oats are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Reheat in the air fryer, oven, or microwave before serving.

Recipe storage

Baked oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To store, place the oats in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge.

If you want to store your baked oats for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to eat your baked oats, you can reheat them in the air fryer, oven, or microwave. To reheat in the air fryer, cook at 350°F for 5-8 minutes. In the oven, heat at 350°F for 5-8 minutes. Or, pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

If you're freezing your baked oats, be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and eating.

Some people prefer to eat their baked oats cold, straight from the fridge, and that's an option too!

If you're storing your baked oats in the fridge or freezer, it's a good idea to label the container with the date so you know when they need to be eaten by.

Now you can enjoy your delicious air fryer baked oats all week long!

Frequently asked questions