There’s something incredibly comforting about the warm, chocolatey aroma filling your kitchen when you bake this Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on classic brownies that sneaks in wholesome oats without skimping on rich flavor. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become your new favorite cozy treat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t get enough of this Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe because it perfectly combines indulgence and goodness in one dish. It’s like a warm hug on a chilly day, but also a smart way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the usual guilt.
- Comfort in Every Bite: The chocolate and oats create a fudgy, chewy texture that feels like a brownie but with the wholesome heartiness of oatmeal.
- Simple, Few Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, so it’s fast to whip up without any fuss.
- Customizable Toppings: Whether you love peanut butter drizzle or whipped cream, it’s a canvas ready for your favorite finishing touches.
- Great for Any Time: Breakfast, snack, or dessert—it works perfectly to satisfy cravings around the clock.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe uses ingredients designed to balance rich chocolate flavor with nourishing oats and simple sweetness, making it both delicious and smart. Here’s why each element plays a key role.
- Rolled oats: They give the bake a chewy, hearty texture and add fiber, making it more filling than a regular brownie.
- Cocoa powder: Provides that deep chocolate flavor without extra fat or sugar—pure cocoa punch.
- Baking powder: Helps the bake rise just enough so it’s moist but not dense.
- Salt: Enhances all the chocolatey flavors and balances sweetness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add protein for a satisfying texture.
- Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that’s gentle and flavorful compared to refined sugar.
- Coconut oil: Adds richness, moisture, and subtle tropical notes.
- Almond milk: Keeps it dairy-free but creamy, blending everything smoothly.
- Vanilla: Elevates the chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic hints.
- Chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate scattered throughout—pure joy!
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe is. Depending on what you have or feel like, there are so many ways you can tweak it to suit your mood or dietary needs.
- Variation: I’ve swapped almond milk for regular cow’s milk or oat milk without losing that creamy texture, so feel free to use what you prefer or have on hand.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Use flax eggs instead of eggs and plant-based milk to make it vegan, and coconut oil keeps it naturally dairy-free.
- Add-ins: Nuts, dried fruits, or even a spoonful of peanut butter mixed into the batter brings an extra dimension and crunch.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the maple syrup quantity if you want it more or less sweet—remember, chocolate chips also add sweetness!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 baking pan. In a large bowl, I combine rolled oats, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Make sure the cocoa powder is well sifted if it looks clumpy—that helps keep the batter smooth and evenly chocolatey.
Step 2: Whisk Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well blended. I like to use room temperature eggs to avoid clumps when mixing.
Step 3: Combine and Add Chocolate Chips
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. You don’t want to overmix—lush texture comes from keeping some oats intact. Fold in the chocolate chips last, reserving a handful to sprinkle on top before baking for that extra melty, pretty finish.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Pour the mixture into your greased baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top looks set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. I find it's best to let it cool about 10 minutes; it firms right up and is easier to cut.
Top Tip
After making this Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake a dozen times, I've learned a few tricks that make all the difference between good and great.
- Use Good Quality Cocoa Powder: It really affects the depth of chocolate flavor—don’t settle for low-quality brands if you want that rich taste.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing oats releases too much starch and can make the bake gummy instead of chewy.
- Check for Doneness Early: Start testing around 40 minutes—ovens vary and you don’t want to dry it out.
- Cool It Well Before Slicing: This sets the bake, so your squares hold together perfectly instead of crumbling.
How to Serve Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I often top my slices with a generous swirl of peanut butter or a dollop of whipped cream—both add a creamy contrast that elevates each bite. Sometimes, a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of chopped nuts finishes it off beautifully.
Side Dishes
This bake pairs wonderfully with a mug of hot coffee or spiced chai tea. For a fuller brunch, I like to serve it alongside fresh berries or a small bowl of yogurt, which adds a light, tangy balance against the rich chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of crushed toasted nuts. Cutting into fun shapes with cookie cutters is a hit at kids’ parties, and layering cubes with whipped cream in a parfait glass makes for a stunning dessert presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor even improves overnight, and it’s great cold or warmed up.
Freezing
This bake freezes really well—just cut into portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm gently in the oven or microwave.
Reheating
I reheat slices in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Adding a little drizzle of maple syrup before warming brings back that fresh-baked moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Swap the eggs for flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water per egg, let it sit for 5 minutes) and make sure to use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. The coconut oil already keeps it dairy-free, so you’re good to go!
Leftovers store best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This keeps the bake fresh and delicious when reheated.
While rolled oats give the best texture with a nice chew, you can substitute quick oats in a pinch. Just be aware the bake will be softer and less chewy, more like a pudding consistency.
Look for the top to be set and firm to the touch, with slightly pulling away edges. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Avoid overbaking to keep it fudgy.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s proof that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for better-for-you ingredients. Sharing this with friends and family always brings smiles—and sometimes surprise when they realize it’s not just another brownie but something wholesome and satisfying. Give it a try, and I’m pretty sure it’ll make its way into your baking rotation just like it did mine!
Print
Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal is a rich and satisfying breakfast or dessert that combines the wholesome goodness of rolled oats with the indulgent flavors of cocoa and chocolate chips. It’s a perfect guilt-free treat that’s easy to make, baked in one dish, and can be topped with peanut butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, or nuts for extra decadence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 ½ cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup chocolate chips (plus extra for sprinkling on top)
- Toppings: peanut butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, nuts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8x8 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until fully blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the batter is uniform.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips into the batter, reserving some to sprinkle on top before baking.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until the top looks set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the oatmeal to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with optional toppings like peanut butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, or nuts for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- This baked oatmeal combines healthy oats with indulgent chocolate, making it a perfect breakfast or dessert.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey or agave nectar if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, ensure the whipped cream topping is non-dairy or omit it.
- Adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients can enhance the flavor profile.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat individual portions as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 726 kcal
- Sugar: 48.2 g
- Sodium: 269.1 mg
- Fat: 34.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 23.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 91.6 g
- Fiber: 11 g
- Protein: 14.9 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
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