Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal with Jam makes the perfect easy meal prep breakfast. Gluten free & sweetened with pure maple syrup, it's a healthy grab & go option.
Breakfast is big in my house. I really value it as a time the whole family can sit together and share a meal. Connecting with my family first thing in the morning really sets the tone for the day.
That said, I don't always have tons of time in the morning to make a from-scratch breakfast. Enter, meal prep! I love a good prep-ahead breakfast and this peanut butter baked oatmeal fits the bill. It's also something I feel good about serving my family. Peanut butter and hemp hearts add a healthy dose of protein and it's sweetened with pure maple syrup.
To make these little PB & J oatmeal squares, you'll mix together oats, hemp hearts, baking powder and salt. Next, you'll mash up two bananas with a fork and then whisk in peanut butter, vanilla, maple syrup, egg and milk. Then mix in the oats and pour into a greased 9×9 inch pan. Add 4 tablespoons of jam on top and swirl with a knife. Bake for 28-32 minutes, slice and enjoy!
You can enjoy these bars either warm or cold – they're delicious either way! You could even sneak one into your kiddo's lunchbox as a fun twist on the classic PB&J. Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal bars also make an excellent afternoon snack, alongside a mug of tea.
You can of course mix it up by trying different combinations of nut butter and jam. Cashew butter and blackberry jam perhaps? Almond butter and fig preserves? So many good combinations!
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free oats*
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup peanut butter*
- 1 tsp vanilla*
- 1/4 cup maple syrup*
- 1 egg (omega-3)
- 3/4 cup milk of choice*
- 4 Tbsp strawberry preserves*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Grease a 9x9 inch pan and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together oats, hemp hearts, 1tsp baking powder and ½tsp salt.
- In a large bowl, mash the 2 bananas and whisk in peanut butter, 1tsp vanilla, maple syrup, egg & milk.
- Mix in oat mixture and stir well.
- Pour into the pan, add 4T of jam over the top, and swirl in with a knife.
- Bake for 28-32 minutes, until slightly brown around the edges. Cut into 8 squares.
Notes
Nutrition
Is Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal good for meal prep?
Yes! Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal is excellent for meal prep. I recommend making the entire recipe ahead of time. You can enjoy warm or cold. To reheat, slice and reheat each slice, covered, in a 350F oven for about 15 minutes.
If you would prefer to bake right before serving, mix the dry ingredients (oats, hemp hearts, baking powder and salt) ahead of time and store. Mash the bananas and add the wet ingredients right before baking.
What's the nutrition like for this PB & J Oatmeal Bake?
In addition to being family friendly and totally delicious, this PB & J Oatmeal Bake is quite a nutritious breakfast! It has a nice dose of protein and healthy fats and is sweetened with pure maple syrup. Look for a low sugar jam to further boost the nutrition, or, make your own!
Here are a few of the nutritional highlights:
Oats (Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Zinc and Vitamin B1)
Naturally gluten free, oats are full of fiber, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and vitamin B1. Oats are also quite high in antioxidants, specifically avenanthramides which may help lower blood pressure. Oats may also help with insulin resistance and help lower blood sugar in those with Type 2 diabetes. (Note: While naturally gluten free, make sure to get oats that are certified gluten free to avoid trace amounts of gluten, if needed.)
Hemp Hearts (Linoleic Acid, Omega-3's, Vitamin E, Phosphorous, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc)
With 25% of their calories coming from protein, hemp hearts are one of the best plant-based protein sources out there. Due to their arginine content, hemp seeds may support heart health and decreased blood pressure. Hemp seeds are also good for your skin and may help reduce PMS and menopause symptoms.
Bananas (Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese)
You've likely heard that bananas have potassium but did you know that they're also a great source of vitamin B6, manganese and vitamin C? Bananas also have a lot of fiber, which is good for healthy digestion.
Peanut Butter (Copper, Folate, Vitamin E, Magnesium)
High in protein, peanuts are legumes rather than actual nuts. They're a great source of folate and vitamin E. Make sure to get peanut butter that contains only peanuts and perhaps a bit of salt to maximize the nutrition.
Pure Maple Syrup (Manganese, Zinc)
1/3 cup of pure maple syrup contains 165% of the recommended dietary intake for manganese and 28% for zinc. It also has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, reducing blood sugar spikes.
Omega-3 Eggs (Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Choline, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E)
First of all, choosing eggs is probably one of the most confusing parts of grocery shopping. There are SO many choices and labels. Many of the labels are not clearly defined, making it even more confusing.
Something to keep in mind though is that omega-3 eggs offer up to 5 times as much omega-3 in contrast to conventional eggs. In addition, they have almost 40% less of the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid. As a result, I think Omega-3 eggs are worth it if you can swing it in your grocery budget.
Similarly, pastured eggs offer far superior nutritional content to conventional eggs. Higher in vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and omega-3, they're certainly a better choice than conventional if available to you.
Strawberries (Vitamin C, Antioxidants)
A good source of vitamin C, manganese and antioxidants, strawberries may help prevent heart disease, aid in blood sugar regulation and reduce inflammation. This recipe features strawberries in the form of preserves. Make sure to choose low sugar strawberry preserves to maximize nutrition.
FAQ – Common Questions about Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
Is peanut butter and oatmeal a good combo?
Yes! Peanut butter and oatmeal tastes amazing and is also quite balanced nutritionally. The healthy fats and protein in peanut butter help balance out the carbohydrates in oats.
Is oatmeal and peanut butter healthy for you?
Yes, oatmeal and peanut butter is healthy for you, assuming you use a natural peanut butter containing just peanuts and potentially salt. Both oats and peanuts boast plenty of vitamins and minerals and the combination offers a nice balance of carbs, protein and fat to keep you satisfied for longer and avoid the blood sugar spikes that come with a straight up carbs breakfast.
Which oatmeal is best for baking?
Old fashioned rolled oats work best for baked oatmeal.
I want more gluten free breakfast recipes!
I'm all about a tasty gluten free breakfast! Here are a few of my favorites:
Mediterranean Easy Egg Bake
With just 10 ingredients, including spices, this gluten free breakfast recipe is hearty, satisfying and perfect for meal prep. This one also makes a great “breakfast for dinner” option, served with roasted potatoes and a simple green salad.
Butternut Squash Muffins
With a similar flavor profile to pumpkin muffins, these gluten free and paleo butternut squash muffins are just as cozy but just different enough to be interesting.
Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie
With over 30 grams of protein, this chocolatey gem is not your average smoothie! It will actually keep you full for hours and tastes amazing.
what’s the best way to store these? can they be stored at room temperature?