Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal - Healthy Breakfast Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Is baked oatmeal as good for you as regular oatmeal? ›

Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce

This recipe is even more nutritious than regular oatmeal recipes because it is made with milk, walnuts and an egg which are ingredients high in protein. It is also sweetened with applesauce rather than brown sugar.

Oats are high in fiber

There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble, and we need both for good digestive health and disease prevention. As soluble fiber dissolves in water it creates a gel, bulking the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. This can help prevent both constipation and diarrhea.

Spices: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg. Natural sweeteners: a dash of maple syrup or honey. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened chocolate: shaved dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more) Nuts, seeds, and nut or seed butters: almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftover baked oatmeal for 5 to 7 days, either wrapped in the baking pan or in an airtight container. To Reheat. Bake the oatmeal in a 350 degree F oven until it's warmed through, or simply heat it up in the microwave.

Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Fresh fruit will add fiber, vitamins, minerals and some sweetness to your oatmeal. Fruit's fat-soluble vitamins like A, E and K will best absorb if you add in a fat source like nuts, which will also add extra fiber and protein.

Oats are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and keeps blood glucose levels under control. The insoluble fiber makes the waste material move past the intestine and protects against constipation.

Oatmeal is good for your gut.

Oats are a prebiotic food and the beta-glucan fiber helps feed the good bacteria. The fiber helps to keep you full for hours by slowing down digestion AND contributes to keeping bowel movements regular. A healthy gut decreases the risk for disease and inflammation.

"While oatmeal is sold as a healthy option for some things, it does have an impact on our metabolism, and I advise caution" in eating too much, says Naidoo. Oatmeal is also known to cause gas and bloating, which can be especially problematic if you have gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Is oatmeal or eggs better for breakfast? ›

Eggs are a rich source of protein and have minimal carbs. On the hand, oatmeal is a carb-rich food and does provide some protein to our body. According to USDA, a breakfast with 2 medium eggs will yield approximately 13g Protein and 1.1g Carbs whereas a bowl of oatmeal will give you 2.4 g Protein and 12g Carbs.

Is it ok to eat oatmeal and eggs together? Totally!!! You're getting a balance of macronutrients from the two big players: carbohydrates and fiber from the oats and protein and fat from the eggs.

Storage: The baked oats will keep well in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge.

If the center is soggy, the oats likely need a little more time in the oven. Be sure to bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Tips for making baked oats

The difference between baked oatmeal and baked oats is all in the texture. And getting that cake-like texture comes from adding the egg, but also blending the ingredients well.

Additionally, overnight oats retain more of their natural nutrients since they are not exposed to high heat during the cooking process. Cooked oats, on the other hand, have a higher glycemic index compared to overnight oats. This means they may cause a more rapid increase in blood sugar levels.

A big scoop of warm baked oats with a glass of milk is a satisfying breakfast, and a cooled slice of baked oats can be a tasty snack later in the day. Since baked oats are so soft and easy to digest, many people like baking them in mini muffin tins to turn them into a healthy homemade baby food or toddler snacks.

Plain, unflavored instant oatmeal and regular oatmeal are nutritionally very similar. While instant oatmeal offers the same health benefits as regular oatmeal, many instant oatmeal packets come with added flavors and sugars. Some brands and flavors may contain anywhere from 10 to 17 grams of added sugar.