Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal
Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal is packed with bananas, almond butter, chia seeds, and golden raisins, then topped with a salted caramel drizzle made from almond butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Perfect for breakfast or snack prep, this gluten-free baked oatmeal is a simple, satisfying recipe.
Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal is one of those recipes you’ll come back to time and time again. It’s simple, flavorful, and uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, this recipe balances natural sweetness from bananas and honey with the rich, nutty flavor of almond butter and a homemade salted caramel drizzle.
This baked oatmeal has a tender, moist texture and is packed with cinnamon, chia seeds, and golden raisins for a comforting bite. Whether you’re prepping breakfast for the week or serving it warm with caramel sauce, it’s a recipe that delivers every time.
Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal Recipe
- Easy to make: This baked oatmeal recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy mornings or meal prep.
- Naturally sweetened: Honey and ripe bananas provide natural sweetness, reducing the need for refined sugar.
- Rich in flavor: The combination of almond butter, cinnamon, and salted caramel creates a warm, comforting flavor.
- Gluten-free and dairy-free options: This recipe can easily be made dairy-free and gluten-free, fitting a variety of dietary needs.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best baked banana oatmeal recipe:
Bananas: You can swap ripe bananas with mashed sweet potatoes or pumpkin puree for a fall twist.
Milk: Any plant-based milk like oat, soy, or coconut milk works just as well as almond milk.
Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar are great alternatives if you prefer a different sweetener.
Almond Butter: Use peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a different nutty flavor.
Chia Seeds: If you don’t have chia seeds, flaxseed can be used, or you can leave them out entirely.
Quick Oats: Rolled oats can be substituted for quick oats, but they will give a chewier texture.
Golden Raisins: Dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chocolate chips are fun alternatives to raisins.
Coconut Oil: Any mild vegetable oil, like olive oil or avocado oil, can work for the salted caramel sauce.
How to Make My Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal Recipe
Step 1: Mash Your Bananas
You can either mash your bananas by hand with a fork on a plate or put them in a medium-sized mixing bowl with the milk, honey, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, vanilla, and almond extract. Then blend them together until smooth using an immersion blender.
If you mashed your bananas by hand, add the milk, honey, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, vanilla, and almond extract and mix with a whisk.
Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add the quick oats, ground flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the mixing bowl. Gently whisk just until the ingredients are blended. You do not want to overmix.
Step 3: Add the Raisins
Add the raisins and gently mix with a spatula until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Pour and Bake
Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 8×8″ baking pan sprayed with non-stick spray.
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce
Combine the almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a dash of salt in a small bowl. Whisk together with a fork until blended. Allow to cool in the fridge before piping onto the squares.
Step 6: Assembly
Remove the cooled bake from the pan and slice into sixteen 2″ squares. Place a thin slice of banana on top.
Pour the caramel sauce into a piping bag or small snack bag. Trim the corner with a 1/8″ opening. Then pipe the caramel sauce in a diagonal zig-zag across the top of each square.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your baked oatmeal will be.
Don’t overmix: Be gentle when mixing the batter to avoid dense oatmeal squares. Just blend until combined.
Cooling is key: Let the oatmeal cool before slicing and adding the salted caramel. This ensures neat, clean squares
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- As a breakfast bar: Perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast. Pair with yogurt or a smoothie for a complete meal.
- For brunch: Serve alongside fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, or a veggie-packed frittata for a balanced brunch spread.
- Dessert-style: Top with whipped cream or coconut whipped cream for a sweeter treat.
- Add a scoop of ice cream: For a warm dessert, heat a square and serve with vanilla ice cream or a dairy-free alternative.
- Topped with extra fruit: Add more fresh bananas, berries, or chopped nuts for an extra crunch and fresh flavor.
- Drizzle with extra caramel: For those with a sweet tooth, add an extra drizzle of salted caramel sauce before serving.
Do you love bananas? Check out more of my easy and nutritious banana breakfast recipes:
Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
WET INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup milk (almond milk is my fave)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons almond butter
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
DRY INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE:
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash salt
Instructions
Baked Oatmeal:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- You can either mash your bananas by hand with a fork on a plate or put them in a medium-sized mixing bowl with the milk, honey, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, vanilla, and almond extract. Then blend them together until smooth using an immersion blender. If you mashed your bananas by hand, add the milk, honey, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, vanilla, and almond extract and mix with a whisk.
- Add the quick oats, ground flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the mixing bowl. Gently whisk just until the ingredients are blended. You do not want to over mix.
- Add the raisins and gently mix with a spatula until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 8×8" baking pan sprayed with non-stick spray.Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Salted Caramel Sauce:
- Combine the almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a dash of salt in a small bowl. Whisk together with a fork until blended. Allow to cool in the fridge before piping onto the squares.
Assembly:
- Remove the cooled bake from the pan and slice into sixteen 2" squares. Place a thin slice of banana on top.
- Pour the caramel sauce into a piping bag or small snack bag. Trim the corner with a 1/8" opening. Then pipe the caramel sauce in a diagonal zig-zag across the top of each square.
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