Baked Steel Cut Oats

Steel cut oats have a heartier texture than and contain more fiber than their rolled oat counterparts.  Fiber is important for digestion, healthy cholesterol levels, and controlling blood sugar. Fiber is an important part of the Health Plus Plan.  The following is a great recipe for oven baked steel cut oats.  The recipe can be doubled, if using a larger baking dish.  These oats can be made ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the week.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

 2 medium ripe bananas, riper the better, sliced into 1/2 “ inch pieces

1 cup blueberries

1 small pink lady apple, cut into very thin slices or diced

¼ cup honey

1 cup steel cut oats

¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

½ tsp. Baking powder

¾ tsp. cinnamon, divided

Pinch of salt

1 cup almond milk

1 egg

1 tsp. real vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray an 8×8 or 9×9 glass baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Arrange bananas and half of the apple slices in a single layer on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the banana and apple layer, add ¼ tsp. of the cinnamon, 1 tbsp. of the honey and cover with foil.
3. Bake 15 minutes, until the bananas and apples soften.
4. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, combine the oats, half of the nuts, baking powder, remaining cinnamon, and salt; stir together.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining honey, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
6. Remove the dish from the oven, then pour the oat mixture over the fruit layer.
7. Pour the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the mixture as evenly as possible over the oats. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries, apples, and walnuts over the top.
8. Bake the oatmeal for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal has set. Serve warm from the oven.

Serving: 1/6^th of dish, Calories: 211, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Protein: 5.5g, Fat: 5.5 g

* Almond milk may be substituted with a fat free dairy milk.  Different varieties of berries can be used as well.  Agave may be substituted for honey.

 Adapted from: https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-oatmeal-with-blueberries-and/