Baked Oats (Tiktok Viral Breakfast)
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok at all in the last year, you’ve likely seen the baked oats craze—a single-serving, cake-like breakfast that promises to revolutionise your morning routine. I was sceptical at first, thinking it was just another fad, but after trying it myself, I can tell you it’s genuinely delicious and satisfying. This recipe turns humble rolled oats into a fluffy, comforting bake that feels like a treat but is actually good for you.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Servings: 2 (or 1 very generous portion)
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Baked Oats (TikTok Viral Breakfast)
- It tastes like cake for breakfast: The texture is soft, tender, and almost sponge-like, making it a brilliant way to start the day without feeling like you’re missing out on dessert.
- It’s endlessly customisable: Once you have the basic formula down, you can add chocolate chips, berries, nuts, or even savoury ingredients to suit your mood.
- It keeps you full for hours: Thanks to the fibre from the oats and protein from the egg and milk, this breakfast is genuinely sustaining and stops those mid-morning snack cravings.
- It’s quick enough for a weekday: While it bakes in the oven, you can get ready for your day or brew a pot of tea, making it a surprisingly efficient morning meal.
- It’s a guaranteed hit with the family: My husband, who’s usually picky, asked for seconds the first time I made this, and now he regularly requests it for weekend brunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 100g rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 large egg
- 120ml milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: 20g dark chocolate chips or fresh berries for folding in
- Optional: 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter for extra richness
Tip: Use a very ripe banana for maximum natural sweetness and a smoother batter. The spotty ones are absolutely perfect here.
How to Make Baked Oats (TikTok Viral Breakfast)
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or Gas Mark 4. Grease two small ramekins or a small baking dish with a little butter or oil. You’ll know the oven is ready when the heating element glows orange and you feel a steady warmth when opening the door.
- In a blender, combine the rolled oats, banana, egg, milk, maple syrup, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Blend on high for 45 seconds to 1 minute. The mixture should be completely smooth, with no visible oat flakes, and have a thick, pourable consistency similar to pancake batter. It will smell sweet and slightly of banana.
- Pour the batter into your prepared dish or ramekins. If you’re adding chocolate chips or berries, gently fold them in now with a spatula. The batter should fill the dish about two-thirds full, leaving room for it to rise.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top will turn a lovely golden brown, and the edges will start to pull away from the sides of the dish. You’ll know it’s done when you gently press the centre and it springs back, and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a warm bakery.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool in the dish for 2-3 minutes. The surface will settle slightly, and the steam will stop rising. This short rest helps the structure set so it doesn’t collapse when you serve it.
- Serve warm. You can eat it straight from the ramekin with a spoon, or turn it out onto a plate. It should be tender and fluffy, with a slightly crisp top edge if baked in a shallow dish.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Don’t skip the blender step: Blending the oats is what gives this dish its signature cake-like texture. If you simply mix the ingredients, you’ll end up with a chunky, porridge-like bake that’s less appealing. The blender breaks down the oats into a fine flour, creating a smooth, cohesive batter.
- Get the consistency right: The batter should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick (like a dough), add a splash more milk. If it’s too thin (like soup), add a tablespoon more oats. The texture directly impacts the final bake—too thin and it will be soggy, too thick and it will be dry and dense.
- Use a ripe banana: A ripe banana is softer, sweeter, and blends more easily into the batter. An under-ripe banana will leave lumps and won’t provide enough natural sweetness, meaning you’ll need to add extra maple syrup to compensate.
- Don’t overbake: Because this is a small portion, it can go from perfectly baked to dry very quickly. Check it at the 20-minute mark. The centre should still look slightly soft when you take it out, as it will continue to cook from residual heat as it cools.
- Grease your dish generously: Baked oats have a tendency to stick, especially the edges. A thorough greasing with butter or a light spray of oil ensures a clean release and makes washing up much easier.
- Let it rest before eating: As tempting as it is to dive straight in, letting the dish sit for a couple of minutes allows the steam to redistribute. This prevents a soggy bottom and gives you a much more pleasant, fluffy texture throughout.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Blender or food processor
- 2 small ramekins (about 200ml capacity each) or a small baking dish
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spatula or spoon for folding
- Skewer or toothpick for testing doneness
Delicious Variations to Try
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Version: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the blender with the dry ingredients, and swirl in a tablespoon of peanut butter before baking. The result is a rich, fudgy breakfast that tastes like a brownie.
- Vegan Option: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, left to sit for 5 minutes) and use any plant-based milk. The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious and satisfying.
- Berry and Lemon Version: Fold 50g of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter and add a teaspoon of lemon zest. The tartness of the berries and citrus cuts through the sweetness beautifully, making it taste bright and fresh.
What to Serve With Baked Oats (TikTok Viral Breakfast)
This dish is quite filling on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to round out your breakfast.
- A dollop of Greek yoghurt and a drizzle of extra honey
- A side of fresh fruit, like sliced strawberries or a handful of raspberries
- A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk
- A sprinkling of toasted nuts or seeds for added crunch
If you’re looking for more breakfast inspiration, be sure to browse our collection of Breakfast Recipes for other morning favourites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make baked oats without a blender?
Yes, you can, but the texture will be noticeably different. If you don’t have a blender, you can use oat flour instead of whole oats, or you can mash the banana very thoroughly and whisk everything together by hand. The result will be more rustic and chewy, rather than the smooth, cake-like texture that makes the TikTok version so popular.
Can I prepare the batter the night before?
I wouldn’t recommend it, as the baking powder will start reacting and the batter can become too dense or lose its lift. However, you can measure out all the dry ingredients and have the banana mashed in a bowl in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, simply add the wet ingredients and blend, saving you a few precious minutes.
How do I store leftover baked oats?
If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then cover the ramekin tightly with cling film or transfer the baked oats to an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 30-40 seconds, or warm them in a low oven for about 10 minutes until heated through.
Can I freeze baked oats?
Absolutely. Baked oats freeze brilliantly, making them perfect for meal prep. Allow them to cool completely, wrap each portion individually in cling film, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or oven as you would fresh leftovers.
Why did my baked oats turn out dry?
The most common reason for dry baked oats is overbaking. Because this is a small, dense portion, it dries out quickly once the moisture has evaporated. Always check for doneness at the minimum baking time. Additionally, ensure your banana is very ripe and that you haven’t accidentally added too many dry ingredients like extra oats or cocoa powder without balancing the liquid.
Baked Oats (TikTok Viral Breakfast)
A popular TikTok breakfast recipe featuring a blended batter of oats, banana, egg, and milk, baked until golden and fluffy. It's a healthy, comforting, and customizable breakfast that tastes like cake.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or Gas Mark 4. Grease two small ramekins or a small baking dish with a little butter or oil. You'll know the oven is ready when the heating element glows orange and you feel a steady warmth when opening the door.
- In a blender, combine the rolled oats, banana, egg, milk, maple syrup, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Blend on high for 45 seconds to 1 minute. The mixture should be completely smooth, with no visible oat flakes, and have a thick, pourable consistency similar to pancake batter. It will smell sweet and slightly of banana.
- Pour the batter into your prepared dish or ramekins. If you're adding chocolate chips or berries, gently fold them in now with a spatula. The batter should fill the dish about two-thirds full, leaving room for it to rise.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top will turn a lovely golden brown, and the edges will start to pull away from the sides of the dish. You'll know it's done when you gently press the centre and it springs back, and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a warm bakery.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool in the dish for 2-3 minutes. The surface will settle slightly, and the steam will stop rising. This short rest helps the structure set so it doesn't collapse when you serve it.
- Serve warm. You can eat it straight from the ramekin with a spoon, or turn it out onto a plate. It should be tender and fluffy, with a slightly crisp top edge if baked in a shallow dish.
Notes
This recipe is highly customizable. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins like nuts, seeds, different fruits, or spices. For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter to the blender. Ensure the banana is ripe for natural sweetness and a smooth texture. The resting time after baking is crucial for the structure to set.
This baked oats recipe has genuinely become a staple in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes one in yours too. It’s my go-to recipe when I need something quick but impressive, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. I’d love to hear how you get on with it—what variations did you try? Let me know in the comments below!
