Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares with Chocolate Chips
Highlighted under: Healthy Living Recipes
Start your day off right with these delicious Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares featuring rich chocolate chips. Perfect for meal prep!
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares with Chocolate Chips are a delightful way to enjoy a healthy breakfast without compromising on taste. These squares are not only easy to prepare but also offer a satisfying blend of whole grains and sweet chocolate, making them a hit with both kids and adults!
Why You Will Love These Squares
- Nutritious oats packed with flavor
- Rich chocolate chips for that sweet touch
- Convenient for on-the-go breakfasts
A Healthy Start to Your Day
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares are not just a treat, but a wholesome way to kickstart your morning. Made primarily from rolled oats, they offer a hearty dose of fiber that keeps you feeling full and satisfied for longer. This means fewer cravings and more energy to tackle your day. Plus, incorporating oats into your breakfast routine provides essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, and B vitamins, making these squares a nutritious choice.
What sets these squares apart is their ability to balance health and flavor. With the addition of warm spices like cinnamon and the sweetness of brown sugar, each bite becomes an indulgent experience. The chocolate chips provide a delightful contrast, transforming an ordinary breakfast into something you’ll look forward to every morning. These squares are not only good for your body but also a pleasure for your taste buds.
Perfect for Meal Prep
In today’s fast-paced world, meal preparation is key to maintaining a healthy diet. Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares are incredibly easy to make in batches, allowing you to prepare a week’s worth of breakfasts in one go. Simply bake, cut, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. This means you can grab a square on busy mornings or throw one into your bag for a nutritious snack on the run.
The versatility of these squares makes them even more appealing. You can customize them with your favorite mix-ins, such as nuts, dried fruits, or even different types of chocolate. This adaptability ensures that you won’t tire of the same flavor, keeping your breakfast routine exciting and enjoyable. Plus, the squares are easy to reheat, so you can enjoy a warm and comforting meal any time you need.
Family-Friendly Recipe
One of the best things about Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares is how family-friendly they are. Kids love the taste of chocolate chips, and parents can feel good knowing they’re serving a nutritious breakfast. These squares are a fantastic way to introduce healthier options to your children without sacrificing flavor. You can even get them involved in the kitchen by letting them help mix ingredients or choose their favorite add-ins.
Serving these squares is a breeze. They can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or even cold, making them a versatile option for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Paired with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a drizzle of honey, they make for a well-rounded meal that everyone in the family will love. This recipe is a great way to encourage healthy eating habits from a young age while still satisfying those sweet cravings.
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal Squares
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
Combine Mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until set.
Cool and Cut
Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares.
Storage Tips
To keep your Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, consider freezing them. Simply wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for a quick breakfast.
Be mindful of texture when storing. If you prefer them warm, a quick reheat in the microwave or oven can restore their freshly baked feel. You can also drizzle a little milk over the squares before reheating to add moisture and enhance their flavor, making every bite just as delightful as the first.
Customization Ideas
One of the standout features of Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares is their versatility. You can easily tailor the recipe to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. For a nutty flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or almonds. If you’re looking for a fruity twist, mix in some blueberries, diced apples, or mashed bananas. Experimenting with different flavors not only keeps the recipe exciting but also allows you to incorporate a variety of nutrients into your breakfast.
For those who are vegan or lactose intolerant, you can substitute the eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk. These substitutions maintain the integrity of the recipe while accommodating different dietary requirements, making Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares a truly inclusive dish for everyone to enjoy.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I make these squares ahead of time?
Yes, these squares can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
→ Can I use almond milk instead of regular milk?
Absolutely! Almond milk or any other non-dairy milk can be used as a substitute.
→ What can I use instead of eggs?
You can use flax eggs or applesauce as a vegan substitute for eggs.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for freshness.
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares with Chocolate Chips
Start your day off right with these delicious Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares featuring rich chocolate chips. Perfect for meal prep!
Created by: Emily
Recipe Type: Healthy Living Recipes
Skill Level: Easy
Final Quantity: 8 squares
What You'll Need
For the Oatmeal Squares
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
How-To Steps
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until set.
Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 5g