Jacki and John Ate This: Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Bake

Today's recipe from Inspired Taste, and is another one that my sister Jillian discovered. She made it a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it, but thought that it didn't have quite enough of the fruit. I took this to heart and doubled what the original recipe recommended. Great move! I was also out of walnuts, so I used almonds instead. And I'm not a big chocolate fan (I know! The travesty!), so I left out the chocolate chips.

This turned out to be a lovely "big breakfast" item with plenty of delicious leftovers!

The ingredients:

2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup of light brown sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 Tablespoon of grated orange zest
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 of teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of sliced almonds
2 cups of sliced strawberries
2 cups milk (I used almond milk)
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

The steps:

Preheat oven to 375°.
In a large bowl, mix together the 2 cups of oats, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 Tablespoon of orange zest, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, half (1/4 cup) of the almonds, and half (1 cup) of the sliced strawberries.
Spray a 10-1/2 x 7 baking dish with cooking spray and add the oat mixture.
Arrange the remaining cup of strawberries, 1/4 cup of almonds, and banana slices on top.
In another bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of milk, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Pour the milk mixture over everything.
Gently shake the baking dish to make sure the milk mixture goes throughout the oats.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set.
Sprinkle about a tablespoon of extra brown sugar on top then place back in the oven under the broiler and broil for about 30 seconds.
Serve warm. Enjoy leftovers all week long!

The photos:

The players.

In a large bowl, mix together the 2 cups of oats, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 Tablespoon of orange zest, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, half (1/4 cup) of the almonds, and half (1 cup) of the sliced strawberries.

Mix well.

Spray a 10-1/2 x 7 baking dish with cooking spray...

...and add the oat mixture.

Arrange the remaining cup of strawberries, 1/4 cup of almonds, and banana slices on top.

In another bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of milk, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Pour the milk mixture over everything, and gently shake the baking dish to make sure the milk mixture goes throughout the oats.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set.

Sprinkle about a tablespoon of extra brown sugar on top then place back in the oven under the broiler and broil for about 30 seconds.

So fruity and delicious!

Love that extra brown sugar on top for just a hint of extra sweetness.

We chowed down when it was freshly made, and were happy to have leftovers for the next few days too!

It's a great way to start your morning!

I was so bummed on the morning a few days later when I rolled my lazy butt out of bed and realized that John had scarfed down the last of this oatmeal. That should teach me to not to hit the snooze so many times!