baked banana oatmeal

I have never liked oatmeal.  Ever. I'd even go so far as to say I hate it.

So naturally, I went out and bought some.

My plan was to dress it up in fruit, maybe mix in some maple syrup for sweetness with bits of crunchy granola for texture. Nope...still hated it.  So now I was stuck with a container of plain oats (blech) and nothing to do with it. 

I wasn't actively seeking any recipes for oatmeal, when I came across baked banana oatmeal.  And what was so weird and foreign to me was that Kath LOVES her oatmeal.  I mean, loves it to the point where she even has an ode to it!

Baked banana oatmeal (adapted from Kath Eats Real Food)
6-10 servings, depending on the size of portions


1 cup dry oats
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 egg, beat
2 bananas, 1 sliced, 1 mashed
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon, to taste
1 tablespoon of brown sugar


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine dry ingredients and mix.
Combine wet ingredients, excluding the sliced banana.
Combine wet and dry ingredients together and mix well.
Line a small pan with tin foil.
Lay a few banana slices on the bottom of pan.
Pour batter into pan.
Lay the rest of the banana slices on top. Sprinkle cinnamon.
Place in oven for about 25-30 minutes.
Remove and sprinkle brown sugar over oatmeal.  Place back in oven.
Set oven to broil for 2-3 minutes.
Remove immediately.

So have I changed my mind about oatmeal after making this? Not really.  Baked banana oatmeal is very good and by the time this post is published, I'll probably be scarfing it down.  I'd also say if you're a fan of banana bread, you'll most likely love this healthier breakfast alternative.  But oatmeal, in general?  I just can't do it anymore.  The taste, the texture...just not for me.

Do you have any foods that you will absolutely not tolerate?  Oatmeal and onions are my nonnegotiables.  What are some of yours?

-jillian m.