Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

Get a good start to the day with this hearty and healthy almond-studded Baked Blueberry Oatmeal! It even makes a great freezer meal!

I don’t know about where you live, but here in the Midwest people often express their love through food. Having a gathering of some sort? The number one question you’ll get after the date is, “What can I bring?” Did a loved one pass? Best clean out your fridge because you’ll get enough casseroles to last a few weeks. Have a new baby? Congrats! Here’s a full three-course meal so you don’t have to worry about cooking.

It’s truly awesome, and one of the things I love most about the people that live here. It also completely confused my husband and in-laws when they first moved to the U.S. Things work the exact opposite in The Netherlands; the people hosting, having the baby, etc. are the ones that also supply all of the food. It’s kind of a reverse mindset…instead of “Hey, I’m happy/sad for you, let me feed you to make things easier!,” it’s “Hey, I’m happy/sad and want to celebrate/commemorate by feeding my friends and neighbors!” Both are great in their own ways.

This Baked Blueberry Oatmeal was a case of a Midwesterner showing us their love. After our youngest VandeLittle made her earlier-than-planned appearance, or sweet neighbor dropped off enough food to get us through a whole day (bless her!), and this oatmeal was our breakfast. We ended up sticking it in the freezer for a couple of weeks, and man was I happy to have it when I needed it! All of us (well…at least all of us that were eating solids anyway…) absolutely loved it, and I’ve made it many times since!

Looking for more great breakfast or brunch ideas? Try one of these!
–Smoked Salmon Flatbread
–Fruit and Yogurt Dream
–Ham and Cheese Quiche from The Farmwife Cooks
–Blueberry French Toast Casserole from The Farmwife Cooks

Ingredients Needed for Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

• Eggs
• Oil – I use vegetable oil because that’s what I’ve always got on hand. Use whatever you prefer, as long as it’s very mild in flavor. In other words, no olive oil!
• Granulated Sugar
• Chopped Nuts – Use what you like. I usually use pecans and almonds.
• Milk
• Brown Sugar
• Salt
• Baking Powder
• Butter
• Vanilla
• Almond Extract – Optional. I usually leave this out.
• Sliced Almonds
• Old Fashioned Oats – Do not use instant here!
• Blueberries

Tips for Making Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

-Don’t like almonds? No worries! Leave them out and use a nut you do like. I personally prefer to top this oatmeal with chopped pecans.

-If you don’t use almonds, leave out the almond extract. I like to add 1 tsp of cinnamon instead.

-Change up the fruit if you want. Try apples or maybe raspberries!

-We like this Baked Blueberry Oatmeal topped with maple syrup. You could also try it topped with honey, or even with a side of vanilla yogurt!

-This oatmeal freezes really well. Use a foil pan for easy clean-up. Prepare all of your ingredients as directed, but freeze before baking. Then pull it out of the freezer the night before you want it to let it thaw, and bake as directed!

How to Make Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 baking pan.

In small skillet, melt the butter and toast the almonds until they are lightly browned, being careful not to burn them. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, oil, and granulated sugar. Stir in the oatmeal, baking powder, salt, vanilla, almond extract, milk, and nuts. Gently stir in the blueberries.

Pour the mixture into the greased pan. Top with the toasted almonds then the brown sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden.

Serve topped with maple syrup!