Collagen Baked Oatmeal

February 26, 2024

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This recipe for Collagen Baked Oatmeal is simple, filling and protein-packed and perfect to meal prep ahead for a healthy weekday breakfast. Made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, it’s an easy recipe to customize and serves as a great base baked oatmeal recipe for any of your favorite additions — fresh blueberries, sliced almonds and more. The photos in this post recently got a little refresh and I hope you all continue to enjoy it as much as we have in our house throughout the years.

A while back, I shared a blog post all about Healthy Meals to Make for Others. It was born out of a reader request and incorporated a roundup of recipes I love to bring to those who might need a little extra love and support for a myriad of reasons. I joke that food is my love language and it certainly is a way I like to show I care to others.

I’ve found that when I bring people healthy meals rather than indulgent dishes during a hard time, it seems to be even more appreciated. I think we can all agree that when life gets stressful, it’s so much easier to turn to indulgent food and takeout so I personally feel like having a healthy homemade meal delivered to your door can feel like a big sigh of relief when you’ve been living off takeout for days.

When I first flew to Florida to visit my niece after she came home from the hospital, I was determined to make some healthy meals for my sister and brother-in-law while I was in town. I know their preferences and what kind of foods they like to eat on a daily basis so figuring out what healthy recipes to make for them was rather simple.

I knew Leslie was prioritizing foods linked to increasing her milk supply so for breakfast, baked oatmeal seemed like a perfect fit for a morning meal. (For me, personally, aside from staying very hydrated, consuming oatmeal regularly seems to help my supply most. Leslie said she’s noticed the same thing.) I think I made three batches of baked oatmeal for Leslie and Ross during my first visit because they liked it so much!

Then, during my return visit to Florida over Christmas, I began chatting with Ross about the baked oatmeal recipe I initially made for them. Ross said it’s now a staple in their house but they’ve upped the ante and added collagen peptides to the original recipe to give the baked oatmeal more staying power. I know a lot of people say oatmeal “sticks to their ribs” and makes them feel full in the mornings but, for me, without an additional source of protein along with rolled oats, I often find myself looking for something to eat soon after breakfast is over. This is why I’ve shared so many protein-packed oatmeal recipes on the blog over the years! I need protein with my oats!

Ross raved about adding collagen peptides to baked oatmeal and said that while you cannot taste it, the collagen somehow gives the top of the baked oatmeal a kind of soft yet slightly crisp crust. (Note: The fact that you cannot taste the collagen in this recipe is what I love most about it as opposed to traditional protein powder in baked oatmeal which dramatically alters the flavor.) I was all about this updated version and made a batch over Christmas at my parents’ place that we all devoured in one morning.

Ever since I returned to Charlotte, I’ve found myself making Collagen Baked Oatmeal regularly because it makes breakfast in the morning so darn easy. I’m also a weirdo who loves cold oatmeal (always have!) and I actually really like pairing a slice of cold Collagen Baked Oatmeal with Greek yogurt, nut butter and fresh berries for an afternoon snack as well.

The recipe I’m sharing with you today for Collagen Baked Oatmeal is meant to serve as a launching pad for you! It’s the most basic of baked oatmeal recipes meaning I haven’t added much to it so you can easily doctor it up and add your favorite mix-ins. It’s fantastic with chopped nuts or blueberries stirred in before baking. I also love it with a sprinkle of chocolate chips, a drizzle of nut butter or sliced bananas. Play around with this one because it’s easy to adapt and somehow seems to always turn out well!

I hope you love it!