Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal (Gluten-Free, Vegan-Friendly)

Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal – This peanut butter banana baked oatmeal is loaded with goodies like coconut and chocolate chips to make any morning feel special. (Gluten-Free, Vegan-Friendly)

Hi, it’s me! Still riding the baked oatmeal train!

I can’t help it! Baked oatmeal has the most amazing texture–light and fluffy instead of dense–and the flavor options are endless. We’ve already gobbled up Pumpkin, Mixed Berry, Pecan Pie, Apple Cinnamon, and Blueberry, and the flavors just keep on coming.

This Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal is our latest fave. It’s a combination of banana, coconut, chocolate, and nuts. We take ours for a slightly non-traditional twist in the nuts department, swapping out walnuts (allergy) for peanut butter and WOW IS IT GOOD.

The ingredients are pretty simple and straightforward, and it only takes a few minutes to mix up. Pop it in the oven while you get ready in the morning on a weekday or bake it on a lazy weekend and reheat the leftovers for a day or two. Have I sold you on it yet? (Just wait till you see the rest of the pictures!)

Enough blabbing! Here’s what you need to make our Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal Recipe…

HERE’S WHAT GOES INTO OUR CHUNKY MONKEY BAKED OATMEAL:

• Ripe Bananas. Ripe, spotty bananas are a main flavor base for our Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal Recipe. Not only do they add natural sweetness and banana flavor, they keep the oatmeal light and moist.
• Coconut Milk (or Almond Milk). To add subtle coconut flavor, I use light coconut milk. You can certainly use other milk–whatever you drink will work fine in this recipe!
• Peanut Butter. We have a walnut allergy at our house, so instead of the traditional chopped walnuts, I add peanut butter! Peanut butter and banana are natural best friends, and they work SO well together in this recipe.
• Pure Maple Syrup. Since the bananas add natural sweetness, you’ll only need a little bit of pure maple syrup.
• An Egg or Chia/Flax Egg. An egg or a chia/flax egg (for a vegan version) helps give Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal its signature texture. It binds the mixture together and gives it some puff and rise that’s LOVELY. (Don’t know how to make a flax or chia egg? See the FAQ below!)
• Vanilla. A little vanilla extract adds lovely flavor to our baked oatmeal. I love what it does for the banana + peanut butter!
• Rolled Oats. I use rolled oats for baked oatmeal. They have the best texture and get nice and fluffy when baked. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats as needed!
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut. A little shredded coconut plays up the Chunky Monkey flavors we’re aiming for here and it’s delicious. If you’re not a coconut fan, feel free to skip it or replace it with some chopped nuts.
• Baking Powder. This is a big trick for the light fluffy texture you’re looking for in a baked oatmeal. Don’t forget it!
• Salt. A little salt balances the flavors.
• Chocolate Chips For Sprinkling On Top. Yes, I *am* advocating adding chocolate chips to a breakfast recipe. It’s only 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) so it only ends up being a few chocolate chips per serving. And, if it gets my kids to eat this hearty Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal, I’m all in!

ALL ABOUT THOSE TOPPINGS! HERE ARE SOME TOPPINGS TO TRY ON CHUNKY MONKEY BAKED OATMEAL:

Unlike traditional oatmeal or steel-cut oats, you slice baked oatmeal into squares and serve it in slices. A simple drizzle of milk is all you really need with a serving of baked oatmeal, if you like eating in a bowl (like I do), but I’d be lying if I said I don’t love adding a few goodies on top. Here are some of our favorites…

• SLICED BANANAS. Probably my favorite topping for Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal! Sliced bananas tie in the flavor of the oatmeal and add a note of freshness.
• TOASTED COCONUT. Double-up on that coconut goodness by adding a little toasted coconut on top. I love the wide shaved coconut for topping oatmeal, but shredded totally works, too!
• PEANUT BUTTER. Again, I’m mimicking those glorious Chunky Monkey Oatmeal flavors by adding a drizzle of peanut butter on top. Natural peanut butter is drippy and works like a charm for drizzling!
• MORE CHOCOLATE. This is a no-judgement zone! I won’t tell if you add a little more chocolate to your bowl.
• CHOPPED NUTS. Walnuts are a regular element of Chunky Monkey recipes, and they can be lovely sprinkled on top! Otherwise, some sliced almonds or crushed peanuts are delish.
• FRESH BERRIES. Not exactly traditional, but berries play nicely with every flavor in this recipe–from the banana, to the peanut butter, to the coconut, to the chocolate. Feel free to add them on top!

FAQ + TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE BEST CHUNKY MONKEY BAKED OATMEAL:

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHIA EGGS & FLAX EGGS! Chia “eggs” and flax “eggs” are vegan substitutes for traditional eggs and they work beautifully in recipes like this baked oatmeal. To make one, you’ll simply combine 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or ground flax with 3 Tbsp. of water. Give it a mix, then let it sit for 4-5 minutes to gel. Stir it one more time, then add it to your recipe as directed.

GLUTEN-FREE? READ THIS! It’s important to buy certified gluten-free oats if you’re sensitive or intolerant to gluten. Oats themselves don’t contain wheat gluten, but they’re often farmed or processed in ways that can cause cross-contamination. We’ve had good luck with many brands, like Bob’s Red Mill, Thrive Market, One Degree, and Trader Joe’s. Just look for that “certified gluten-free” classification!

CAN I USE STEEL-CUT OATS OR QUICK OATS INSTEAD? I only recommend rolled oats for this Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal Recipe because they won’t get gummy and they get nice and fluffy when baked. Steel-cut oats can stay hard and crunchy, and quick oats can get mushy and squidgy.

HOW TO RE-HEAT CHUNKY MONKEY BAKED OATMEAL. Honestly, most of the time, I just put a slice in a bowl and microwave it for 30-60 seconds to heat it up, then top it with milk + goodies. But, if you like, you can pop the pan back into the oven at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or so to heat it through.

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