Saturday, September 22, 2012

Neapolitan Baked Oatmeal

As I typed out this recipe, I couldn't help but feel depressed. That is because I may be peaking as an oatmeal blogger. I'm not sure if I can ever top this one:


This recipe, you see, is so elaborate, well thought-out, and mouth-wateringly delicious that I'm not even going to bother posting the instructions for a single serving. It's way too much work for one serving, and it's way too delicious to not share (or, if you're like me, eat every morning for a week).


The one drawback to this recipe is that the banana is pretty prominent. In fact, I would compare the taste of the oatmeal to Banana Split Dippin Dots. If you are turned off by banana, try only using one banana, or replace the banana with a different sweetener. (But I've said it before: all baked oatmeals are better with banana).


Okay, but seriously. My 5:35 alarms were so much easier this past week knowing I had another fantastic breakfast waiting for me in the fridge! I promise you: this was the best recipe I've ever created. Hands down.


Neapolitan Baked Oatmeal

by The Oatmeal Artist
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Ingredients (serves 5)
  • 3 cups rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 overripe banana
  • 3/4 cup milk of choice
  • 1/2 cup water (or more milk)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F and spray a 8x8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix just 2 and 1/2 cup of oats, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another medium-sized bowl, mash bananas very, very thoroughly. Then, add almond milk, water, and vanilla. Stir until it's mostly combined.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir.
  5. Separate the mixture into three separate bowls (you will have to get out yet another bowl). In one bowl, add cocoa powder and stir. It will be difficult at first, but the cocoa powder should dissolve/mix in eventually.
  6. Using a blender or immersion blender, puree your strawberries. Depending on your blender, you may have to add a tiny bit of liquid to get it to blend properly. Add to one of the plain bowls of oatmeal. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of oats and stir.
  7. If desired, you could add an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract to the "plain" oatmeal bowl.
  8. Pour the chocolate layer in the baking pan and spread it out so it covers the entire bottom of the pan. Then, carefully pour the plain oatmeal over that. Spread it cautiously, and then finish with the strawberry layer. With all your layers, do your best to spread it to the corners without mixing the different flavors together. Leave as is, or dig up some of the chocolate layer from the bottom to create a swirl effect (like I did).
  9. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. ENJOY!
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17 comments:

  1. Wow... why oh why don't I like bananas :(

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    Replies
    1. I used to be the same way...but I got over it. haha

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  2. I just made this as the first of your recipes...I am pretty sure we just became best friends!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad! I didn't think anyone would be ambitious enough to try this one! :) I'm super happy you liked it.

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  3. I GET THAT THIS IS TOTALLY SELFISH...but is there a way you can update your recipe index?

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    Replies
    1. Not selfish at all! I've been planning on doing it ASAP. I usually update it every couple of weeks, and it's about that time. :)

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  4. wow this recipe looks amazing!!! :) i deff wanna try it! i am the only one who will eat oatmeal at my house, so i'll be eating this solo, but im sure i wnt mind! it looks delish! deff wanna try soon!
    you think i could you frozen strawberries just let them thaw out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ate mine solo, too, but it was better that way because it's too good to share. ;)

      Yes, you could absolutely use frozen strawberries since they just get blended up anyway. Enjoy!

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  5. I made this 2 weeks ago and it was gone within an hour. My family hates oatmeal but as soon as they tasted this one their jaws dropped. My mother looked at me and said "I can't believe this is oatmeal! Can you make a batch for me to take to school?" She's a teacher and wanted to share it with her colleagues.
    Now I make oatmeal for her almost every day. All it took was a taste(or 8.. Yes, I've made this 8 times in just 2 weeks!) of the Neapolitan baked oatmeal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment. It's the best. You're my new favorite person. Ever. :)

      THANK YOU!

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  6. Is it possible to bake with quick cook steel cut oats?

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely! I've done it a few times. The cooking time should be the same as rolled oats. The oats:liquid ratio might be a bit different though. Err...I can't give you any definitely numbers on that. Try 1/4 cup oats with 1/3 cup liquid? That's a complete guess. :)

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  7. I didn't have a baking pan when I decided to try this recipe, so I got creative and made layered muffins. LOVED THEM!

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  8. Hi Lauren how many bananas do you use? you said the banana was very prominent in this recipe and to cut back to only one if you don't like them but the recipe only calls for one ?..help !!!

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    Replies
    1. Hmm...where was my mind when I wrote that? Haha. I think I must have used two bananas...but for some reason, I only listed one on the recipe. One banana should not give too banana-y of a taste (when you consider that it's spaced out among five servings)!

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