Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
This Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal is a nourishing breakfast, perfect to prep ahead of time, and loaded with deliciously nutritious ingredients, including oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, sunflower seed butter, and more!
Nut Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by SunButter, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make the Chelsey Amer Nutrition blog possible!
Spring seems to be synonymous with brunch gatherings. Between Easter a couple of weeks ago and upcoming Mother’s Day, brunch has been on my mind more than usual. I don’t know about you, but if I’m entertaining for any holiday, I’m all about make-ahead options. Although you can’t be surprised considering how much I love to food prep ahead each and every week too!
Whether I’m hosting brunch or getting my weekly food prep done, I love to have an easy make-ahead breakfast I can either reheat or even eat cold when I’m ready for it.
That’s why I’m obsessed with this Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal…
Made with just 6 ingredients, this 1-bowl recipe will help you entertain stress-free and ease your morning routine too!
I’ve been a fan of baked oatmeal for a while now because you can enjoy wholesome oats without standing over a pot stirring for 30 minutes in the morning. Instead, you combine all the ingredients and bake – hands free!
I originally shared a customizable baked oatmeal recipe several months ago, but that recipe was packed with protein thanks to egg whites and yogurt. It’s still a go-to recipe of mine, but I wanted something egg-free, dairy-free, and 100% food allergy friendly so everyone could enjoy.
That’s where this vegan baked oatmeal version came into play…
It’s still packed with protein thanks to a few plant-based seedy swaps…
Flax “egg” – If you haven’t tried the flax egg baking trick, then whatchu waiting for? When you mix together 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of warm water, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, the mixture will thicken up. This acts like an egg in your baking and binds together the other ingredients. It works great in baked oatmeal recipes.
Chia seeds – I’m obsessed with this tiny “superfood” because they’re a nutritious trifecta. They contain healthy fats, plant-based protein, and filling fiber.
Crunchy SunButter – Full of healthy fats and plant-based protein, SunButter also adds so much flavor to this baked oatmeal recipe. Plus, the stickiness helps bind the oatmeal together so it’s easy to slice.
It’s no secret I’m a fan of SunButter since I have nut allergies, but for those of you concerned about the environment (which should be everyone!), did you know that seeds take MUCH less water to produce than tree nuts? Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and other tree nuts are some of the most water-intensive crops out there. Seeds, in comparison, take just a fraction of the water to produce the same quantity – pretty cool, right?
I know one of the reasons I try to include many plant-based meals throughout the week is because of the environmental impact of meat and fish production, but it’s important to realize that even amongst plants there are opportunities to do better. Choosing seeds over nuts is one way to do that!
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Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Swaps
Chocolate chips – I made this Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal for a brunch celebration (and yes, everyday can be a celebration), but if you want to leave the chocolate for special occasions, that’s OK too. Simply omit the chocolate (there’s still TONS of flavor), or add in your favorite fruit instead. I personally love blueberries (they burst when they bake), strawberries, or sliced bananas, but use whatever you’d like!
Flax egg – If you’re not allergic to eggs, go ahead and use 1 large egg instead of the flax egg. The recipe will work just the same.
Milk – I used coconut milk for this recipe, but any non-dairy or dairy milk will suffice.
Crunchy SunButter – ANY SunButter variety will be great here. I love the crunchy in this recipe because it adds extra texture to an otherwise single-textured dish, but if you’re not a fan of crunchy butters (I get it, it’s just not for everyone!), creamy, organic, no added sugar, or natural will work beautifully.
Just an FYI – the Crunchy SunButter is lightly sweetened, so there’s no additional sweetener in this recipe. You can omit the sweetness, but if you’re looking for a sweeter breakfast or brunch, then choose a SunButter variety that’s also lightly sweetened (like the Natural or Creamy).
Let’s get cookin’…
Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
This Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal is a nourishing make-ahead breakfast, loaded with nutritious ingredients, including oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, sunflower seed butter, and more! Nut Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Nonstick oil spray
1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons warm water, mixed together)
2 cups rolled oats (gluten free if needed)
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk (I used homemade coconut milk, but use any milk or milk alternative you prefer)
1/3 cup Crunchy SunButter
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Coat a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick spray or oil. Set aside.
- Prepare flax egg: mix together 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons warm water in a small bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add flax egg, milk, and SunButter, mixing until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Using a spatula, smooth the top.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until the top and edges are golden brown. Let cool before enjoying.**
Notes
**If making in advance of serving, I suggest under-baking (only for ~20 minutes) then finish baking when you re-heat in glass baking dish. May microwave individual pieces in the microwave if prepared for food prep.
Don’t Forget to PIN this Vegan Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal…
What are your Mother’s Day plans?
XO