Blueberry, Raspberry & Banana Baked Oatmeal

Good morning everyone! Hope you’re having a great start to your Meatless Monday. Did you know Meatless Monday is an actual global movement launched by health advocate Sid Lerner in association with John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health? The goal of the movement is to decrease our impact on the planet while also increasing human health…both of which are doable by eating a more plant-based diet. The Meatless Monday campaign brings awareness to the preventable diseases associated with excessive meat consumption that absolutely plague countries like the US where we eat so much meat. The movement is active in 34 countries and even Paul McCartney is involved in it! I’m excited to share that I have been asked to join the movement as one of the Bloggers on Board and will be bringing you Meatless Monday recipes each week. You can learn more about the movement here.

So, for today’s MM recipe I’ve got my favorite baked oatmeal. I love starting my day with a bowl of this stuff. I originally found the recipe on The Honeybee, one of my favorite lifestyle blogs, and after transitioning to a plant-based diet I knew I had to find a way to make this dish dairy-free and egg-free. It’s delicious, healthy and hearty, but not too filling. Plus, while it’s baking your whole house will smell amazing. It takes a little bit of prep time and baking time but it’s worth it. It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for today’s Meatless Monday or your next weekend brunch!

Blueberry, Raspberry & Banana Baked Oatmeal

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup + 2 Tbsp almond milk (or other plant-based milk of choice)
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• Flaxseed egg mixture (1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 Tbsps water, boiled)
• 2 Tbsp plant-based butter, melted (I use Earth Balance brand)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup mixed berries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Lightly grease 2-quart baking dish. Slice bananas and cover bottom of baking dish with the banana slices. Top with half of the berries.
3. In a medium bowl combine rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon & salt. Mix well. Pour dry oatmeal mixture evenly over the fruit. Set aside.
4. In small saucepan boil together flaxseed & water until combined (see full directions here if this is your first time making the flaxseed egg substitute). Once combined, let cool for a few minutes.
5. In a liquid measuring cup combine almond milk, syrup, vanilla, melted butter & flaxseed mixture. Mix well. Pour evenly over dry mixture & fruit in baking dish.
6. Add remaining berries on top. Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool. Serve & enjoy!

If you’ve given Meatless Monday a try I would love to hear how it is going for you and if there are certain meals or recipes you really want to know how to make meatless. I’m always open to what kind of meatless recipes you would like to see. Have a great day!