{recipe} mixed berry & banana baked oatmeal

What I have learned about myself since being in college:

I am not a breakfast person.

The smell and taste of eggs makes me feel queasy.

I burn pancakes.

I don't know how to whip up a beautiful breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning.

I would rather sleep in a few extra minutes M-F and grab a granola bar than wake up and make something.

I'm not the biggest fan of plain oatmeal.

I do love cheese grits, but this girlish figure won't be sticking around for long if I make those every day!

I don't really know how to whip up french toast.

My bacon never turns out right.

What kind of food-obsessed blogger fails at breakfast?!

I have found a solution.

BAKED OATMEAL.

I found this recipe on Skinny Taste's blog and instantly knew I had to try it out.

I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and I was getting ready for a "lazy" weekend filled with studying and organizing. By lazy I mean I didn't leave my apartment and wore sweatpants and slippers the entire time.

I am so glad that I decided to make this. I ended up making the entire batch for my roommates and me to eat on Sunday and then snack on for a few more days as a quick breakfast before running out the door for class. I adapted Gina's recipe slightly, by using frozen mixed berries I had on hand instead of just blueberries. It would have been delicious either way.

Mixed Berry & Banana Baked Oatmeal

Original recipe by Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, (the riper the better) sliced into 1/2" pieces
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries - I used defrosted frozen mixed berries
• 1/4 cup honey (or agave)
• 1 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans - I used sliced almonds!
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup fat free milk (or any milk you desire)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Lightly spray a 8 x 8" or 9 x 9" ceramic baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on the bottom of the ceramic dish.Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bananas, 1/4 tsp of the cinnamon, 1 tbsp of the honey and cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes, until the bananas get soft. 
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the oats, half of nuts, baking powder, remaining cinnamon, and salt; stir together.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining honey, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Remove the bananas from the oven, then pour the oat mixture over the bananas and blueberries. 
5. Pour the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the mixture as evenly as possible over the oats.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and walnuts over the the top.
6. Bake the oatmeal for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal has set. Serve warm from the oven.

I was obviously too impatient to let the oatmeal cool enough to cut a bigger slice. 

That little piece just looks so sad.

Drink lots of coffee and have a super productive day with this healthy, filling breakfast.

Oh, and I totally have to let you in on a little secret.... A warm slice of this baked oatmeal topped with vanilla greek yogurt tastes JUST like cobbler with ice cream. Do it.

xo, Jen