Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oats—Warm Breakfast Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Banana Baked Oatmeal Recipe

• Easy to make: Comes together quickly, ideal for meal prep and busy mornings.
• Naturally sweetened: Ripe bananas and honey provide gentle sweetness without refined sugar.
• Rich flavor: Almond butter, cinnamon, and salted caramel create warm, comforting notes.
• Adaptable: Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free to suit many diets.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Everything you need to make this baked banana oatmeal:

Bananas: Use ripe bananas for sweetness. For a seasonal twist, swap with mashed sweet potato or pumpkin puree.

Milk: Any plant-based milk (almond, oat, soy, or coconut) works well.

Honey: Substitute maple syrup or agave nectar if preferred.

Almond Butter: Peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter are good alternatives.

Chia Seeds: Ground flaxseed can replace chia, or omit if needed.

Quick Oats: Rolled oats may be used instead of quick oats for a chewier texture.

Golden Raisins: Swap with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chocolate chips.

Coconut Oil: Use a mild vegetable oil such as avocado or light olive oil for the caramel if you prefer.

Step 1: Mash Your Bananas

Mash two ripe bananas by hand with a fork or combine them in a mixing bowl with the milk, honey, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender or whisk if you mashed the bananas by hand.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

Stir in the quick oats, ground flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk gently until combined—avoid overmixing to keep the texture light.

Step 3: Add the Raisins

Fold in the golden raisins with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Pour and Bake

Transfer the batter to an 8×8″ baking pan lined with parchment and sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Chill briefly to thicken before piping.

Step 6: Assembly

Remove the cooled bake from the pan and cut into sixteen 2″ squares. Place a thin banana slice on each square. Pipe the chilled caramel sauce in a diagonal zig-zag over each piece using a piping bag or a small resealable bag with a trimmed corner.

Expert Recipe Tips

Use ripe bananas: Riper bananas yield more natural sweetness and better flavor.

Don’t overmix: Fold ingredients until just combined to avoid dense squares.

Cool before slicing: Let the bake cool completely so you get clean, even squares and the caramel sets nicely.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

• As a breakfast bar: Grab-and-go with yogurt or a smoothie.
• For brunch: Serve with fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, or a frittata.
• As dessert: Top with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent treat.
• Extra toppings: Add fresh banana slices, berries, or chopped nuts for crunch.
• More caramel: Drizzle additional salted caramel for extra sweetness.