Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeal

4.6

121

Save to FavoritesPrintJump to Recipe

This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Inspired by my favorite fall casserole, this sweet potato baked oatmeal is loaded with sweet potato goodness and topped with a crispy pecan topping. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.

This month’s baked oatmeal flavor is inspired by my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dish – sweet potato casserole. When brainstorming baked oatmeal recipe ideas for November I thought, why not take the main flavors from my favorite dish and turn them into baked oatmeal?

Now I get to enjoy one of my holiday faves all year long… and for breakfast, nonetheless.

Wood spoon with a serving of baked sweet potato oatmeal topped with pecans.

Baked Oatmeal FAQs

Before we dive into the recipe, I wanted to address some FAQs I’ve been getting about baked oatmeal!

Why almond milk?

I personally love the flavor and nutrition stats for almond milk. That said, you can absolutely swap in your preferred milk of choice. Cow’s milk, cashew milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk… really any type of milk will work for baked oatmeal.

Why rolled oats?

Rolled oats absorb more liquid than other types of oats and hold up well during cooking. I would not recommend using different oats unless the recipe calls for a specific kind of oat. I do have a delicious baked steel cut oatmeal recipe!

Can I prep at night and bake in the morning?

Yes, you can totally do this to save on time, but I personally like to prep and bake it all at once because the oats do tend to soak up quite a bit of the milk overnight (kind of like overnight oats). If you don’t have a choice and need to prep the oatmeal bake ahead of time, that’s fine. It might just seem a little bit drier than normal after baking. If this happens, just serve with a splash of milk.

Another prep-ahead option is to combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl the night before. The morning of, simply mix the two together, pour into your baking dish and bake!

Mixing bowl with ingredients for sweet potato baked oatmeal.

Here’s What You Need

  • rolled oats – the base of this baked oatmeal, make sure you get rolled oats and not quick/instant or steel cut.
  • Make sure you’re using certified gluten-free if necessary. I like to use Bob’s Red Mill old fashioned rolled oats.
  • baking powder – a leavening agent, this will help the baked oatmeal rise.
  • spices and seasonings – pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sea salt. You can make your own pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have any on hand!
  • almond milk – you can make your own using my almond milk recipe or use store bought. As mentioned above, I like to use almond milk but any milk will do!
  • sweet potato – you’ll need 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes. Try my sweet potato puree recipe or use a leftover baked sweet potato if you have one!
  • maple syrup – my favorite natural sweetener, it pairs beautifully with the sweet potato.
  • ground flaxseed – you won’t actually make a flax egg, but you will add it to the mixture to help bind it together. You can omit entirely and just use 1 egg if you prefer or don’t need it to be vegan or egg-free.
  • coconut oil – provides moisture.

Crispy Oatmeal Pecan Topping

In my opinion, the topping is what makes sweet potato casserole so yummy, so of course I had to include it in this baked oatmeal recipe. The end result is a crispy, crunchy topping that’s simply irresistible.

  • coconut sugar – brown sugar works just as well but I prefer to use coconut sugar.
  • pecans – provide a beautiful crunch to this topping. You can use walnuts if you prefer.
  • rolled oats – as above, rolled oats are best in this application. Make sure you’re using certified gluten-free if necessary.
  • coconut oil – helps bind the ingredients together.
Baking dish with sweet potato baked oatmeal topped with pecans.

How to Make Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeal

Preheat Oven – Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF and spraying an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix Ingredients – Next, mix together your oats, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Once combined, add your milk, sweet potato, maple syrup, flaxseed (or egg), coconut oil and vanilla into the bowl. Stir well to combine.

Pour – Carefully pour the oatmeal mixture into the baking dish, set aside.

Prep topping – In a separate bowl mix together topping ingredients and then and sprinkle with the oatmeal mixture.

Bake – Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Flavor Variation

Not a sweet potato fan? You can use pumpkin instead! Use 1 cup of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) in place of the mashed sweet potatoes. Mmm…

Wood spoon with a serving of baked sweet potato oatmeal topped with pecans.

How to Store Baked Oatmeal

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat the whole baked oatmeal, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. For individual portions, set your toaster oven to 350°F and bake for 5-10 minutes or reheat in the microwave for 1 minute.

Plate with a serving of sweet potato baked oatmeal topped with pecans. A gold spoon is resting on the side of the plate.

Love Baked Oatmeal? Try These Other Flavors

More Oatmeal Recipes

Be sure to check out all of my baked oatmeal recipes as well as all the popular oatmeal recipes here on EBF.

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes every week!
4.60 from 89 votes

Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeal

Inspired by my favorite fall casserole, this sweet potato baked oatmeal is loaded with sweet potato goodness and topped with a crispy pecan topping. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

Topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine.
  • Add in the milk, sweet potato, maple syrup, flaxseed, coconut oil and vanilla to the bowl. Stir well to combine.
  • Carefully pour oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Mix together topping ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle over oatmeal mixture. 
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and center is set. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Portion and serve. 
  • Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat the whole baked oatmeal, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. For individual portions, set toaster oven to 350°F and bake for 5-10 minutes or reheat in the microwave for 1 minute.

Video

Notes

  • You can use 1 large egg instead of the ground flaxseed if you’re not worried about the oatmeal being vegan or egg free.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of recipe | Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 354mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 19g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: sweet potato baked oatmeal
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
Chicken fajita filling on a sheet pan with a wooden spoon. Tortillas are resting on the bottom of the sheet pan.
Get Your FREE High-Protein Meal Plan
Struggling to eat enough protein? Subscribe to my email list and I’ll send you a 3-Day High-Protein Meal Plan with a Shopping List!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




121 Comments

  1. I love baked oatmeal, and I’m always looking for different recipes! Pinning this one so I can remember to make it next week 🙂

  2. Hey! I would love to make this as a breakfast prep ahead of time for when my baby comes! I’m deep in the cook & freeze mode!
    Wondering if it’s best to freeze, then thaw and bake, or bake then freeze ? Looking for tastiest reheat option in the oven!

    1. Hi Stacey – I would probably bake and let it cool fully and then freeze. I’m not sure how it would turn out if you freeze it before cooking.

      1. 5 stars
        Holiday breakfast never tasted so good!! Never had a chance to make it before my daughter was born, but it was worth the wait. Thanks for a delicious take on baked oatmeal 💜

        1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Stacey. Congrats on your new babe and thank you for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me. <3

  3. 5 stars
    I felt like I won the lottery when I saw this recipe posted and knew I had a cup of mashed sweet potato leftover in my fridge! I love every baked oatmeal variation and this one is a fantastic addition 🥰

    1. I love it when that happens!! I’m so happy to hear that you loved this recipe, Cat. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + review. It means the world to me. <3

  4. Brittany have you baked this in muffin cups? I want to make breakfast foods grab and go.
    I have two preschooler granddaughters who eat on the run (literally) and they love anything made into Muffins:)

    1. Hey Nonie – Yes, I have a ton of baked oatmeal cup recipes that are made in a muffin pan. 🙂 I linked the blog post to my oatmeal cups – 4 ways, but I also have other flavors on the blog!

  5. I’ve been looking for an oatmeal breakfast “on the go” and out of 4 recipes I’ve tried out, this is the only one I really like. The texture is very pleasant and it’s tasty. This will definitely become a regular breakfast for me, and a nice reason to get up in the morning 🙂

    1. I’m so glad you have enjoyed this baked oatmeal recipe, Casou! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I so appreciate it!

  6. For Lent this year I am following a No Food Waste program (that and the current restrictions, really make me focus on no waste) There is a cup of butternut squash leftover from the other night–Not really enough for the two of us so I’ll freeze it. When I am able toto get more milk, I certainly will try this.

  7. What can I use in place, if I don’t have coconut oil? I have everything else, just not that. Thanks ☺

  8. 5 stars
    This has become a favorite in our home. I now always bake it the night before because we have discovered that we like it better cold. The crystallized top is awesome!

    1. I’m so glad this baked oatmeal recipe has been a hit in your house, Jason!! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!

  9. May be a silly question, but how moist should it be? I cooked it as directed and its verrrrrry moist. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather it be moist than dry, just curious. Thanks!

    1. Hey Laura – Would you say it’s mushy/gooey in the center? It definitely shouldn’t be, so if that’s the case you probably needed to bake it a few extra minutes.

  10. Hi Brittany,

    This may be obvious to some but as a novice baker/home-cook I’m unsure: are the mashed sweet potatoes for this recipe literally just a sweet potato cooked and mashed?? Should I be finding something in a can or adding anything extra to my whole potato once cooked and mashed?

    My family was never one to make the classic casserole dish you based this on, but once I discovered it as an adult I fell in love and am so excited tot try this bake!

    Cheers from:
    Silly for Sweet Potatoes

    1. Hey Erica – You can used canned mashed sweet potatoes, but what I normally do is just roast a sweet potato, mash it up and measure the amount needed for this recipe. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe when you try it!

  11. 5 stars
    I have Been OBSESSED with baked oatmeal the last few months and this is definitely one of my new favs! Absolutely delicious! One question – once they’re made, do you store your baked oatmeals in or out of the fridge?

    1. Hey Kim! So glad you’re loving the baked oatmeal recipes. 🙂 I normally store mine in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh longer.

      1. 5 stars
        This was my first oatmeal bake and it was because I am looking for sweet potato recipes. Followed your directions and used almonds instead since I’m allergic to other nuts. Not too sweet and taste amazing. Thanks for sharing this gem!!!

        1. Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, LaKisha. 🙂 Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!

  12. 5 stars
    Finally! An amazing oatmeal bake recipe! This is my fifth oatmeal bake recipe I have tried & it is by far, the best! I burned my finger whilst preparing, but it was worth it!! I used an egg and a tablespoon of flaxseed as well, with soya milk, butter & brown sugar. Thank you so much for sharing a delicious recipe!

    1. Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Jandi! So glad you loved this baked oatmeal recipes. Thanks for sharing the subs you made and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it. <3

  13. 2 stars
    When I made this recipe it was very liquidy when I poured it in the pan. I very much question whether it was going to bake in the 35 minutes that was suggested. The recipe calls for an 8 by 8 inch pan that I just knew that the oatmeal was way too thick. So I put 2/3 in one pan and 1/3 in the other smaller pan. 30 minutes of cooking the middle was raw. I had no luck with this recipe.

    1. Sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t work out for you, Kim. Did you change anything about the recipe? The cook time is always dependent on your oven, so you might needed to have cooked yours for longer.

  14. I love this recipe! I have made it twice and each time it turned out perfect. I bake it up and store it in my refrigerator and in the morning I scoop some in a bowl then throw it in the microwave for a quick and warm breakfast the lasts all week. Thank you for sharing this.

  15. 5 stars
    I love this baked oatmeal!! The sweetness is perfect–sweet without being too sweet. Great for breakfast, a snack or dessert! I used an egg instead of the flaxseed and it turned out beautifully. My girls weren’t convinced they’d like it but they tried it & did– absolute win!!

    1. Yay! So glad this baked oatmeal recipe was a hit, Erica! I appreciate you making it and coming back to leave a comment + star rating. The reviews are super helpful for other readers, so it means the world to me. <3

  16. This looks amazing! I am oil-free and WFPB. What could I use instead of the oil (no butters either)? Aquafaba?

    1. Hey Jill – I’ve had some people say they subbed the oil for a nut butter and that worked well, so you could try that? Let me know how it turns out if you end up trying it!

    1. Oh yay!! So glad this recipe was a hit. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment, Rachel. I appreciate it. <3

  17. 5 stars
    I followed the recipe as is until the topping – I added chopped pecans and shredded coconut instead of the brown sugar mix & it turned out so so yummy! Its not very sweet but is exactly what you would want for a healthy breakfast!

    1. Ahh yay! So glad this baked oatmeal recipe was a hit, Alli. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. 🙂

  18. 5 stars
    This is one of our family favorites!! It’s so incredibly good!! My toddler and I make it together. Thank you so much for allergy friendly amazing recipes!

    1. Ahh I love hearing that, Shelley. 🙂 I’m so glad this baked oatmeal recipe is a hit! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it.

  19. 5 stars
    I used lactose-free 2% milk instead of almond milk and butter instead of coconut milk as well as a real egg instead of flax. This was delicious!! Wow.

    1. So glad you loved this recipe, Julie!! Thanks for making it and for coming back to share the subs you made. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  20. This is the most fantastic Absolutely Delicious breakfast ever! It’s so easy to make as well❣️ Thank you for whomever came up with this totally Amazing dish❣️
    Sincerely, Lisa Anderson

  21. 5 stars
    This is super good. I did the egg, added blueberries, and chopped almonds. I hate all things ‘healthy’ – usually tastes like cardboard to me. This is my first win and I am so grateful for this recipe!!!

    1. Woo!! That makes me so happy to hear, Danielle! I’m so pumped you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for giving it a try and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  22. 5 stars
    This is delicious! I make it every week and serve it to my toddlers for breakfast. This is the only oatmeal they’ll eat. Thank you!

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear, Tonya!! So glad this baked oatmeal is a hit. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂

    1. So glad this recipe turned out with butternut squash, Holly! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!

  23. 5 stars
    So good and easy to make!!! We went in a road trip and because of the COVID-19, our hotel restaurant was closed for breakfast. I knew there was a fridge in the room so I made this breakfast dish. Not only it was delicious but also so convenient for our trip. I can’t wait to make it again! I didn’t add the oil and it was still perfect. Thank you so much for the recipe!

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear!! I’m so glad this baked oatmeal was a hit and worked well for your trip. Thanks so much for making it and for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it, Cynthia. 🙂

  24. 5 stars
    Delicious!! My husband loved it. I found that it heated up perfectly in the microwave. i just put about a 1/4 cup almond milk on it like I would regular oatmeal.

    1. Woo! So glad this baked oatmeal was a hit, Linda. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I appreciate it. 🙂

  25. 5 stars
    Brittany, this recipe is SO PERFECT! Made it yesterday and ate half of it! Just had the other half today! Seriously DIVINE! If you are considering making it, stop deciding and just do it! You won’t regret it! XOXO

    1. Ahh this makes me so happy to hear, Gaylin!! I’m glad you loved this baked oatmeal. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It means the world to me. 🙂

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear!! I’m pumped you enjoyed this baked oatmeal recipe. Thanks for giving it a shot and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it, Kayla.

  26. 5 stars
    I’m not a big fan of regular oatmeal but have found that I like baked oatmeal. Tried this recipe and it was delicious. Will definitely make this again.

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear, Casey! So glad you enjoyed this baked oatmeal. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it.

  27. 5 stars
    This delicious oatmeal will definitely be in our weekly meal prep rotation from here on out! I love EBF’s oatmeal bakes, I’ve tried several flavors but this may be my favorite! It’s full of warm and yummy fall goodness and the nutty crumble on top makes it extra good. It took all of 5 minutes to throw together and now we have a hearty fall treat for breakfast all week!! YUM!

    1. Yay!! So glad this baked oatmeal was a hit, Jessica!! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful for other readers. 🙂

  28. 5 stars
    Served with sliced banana and a drizzle of maple syrup, absolutely delicious! Prepped the night before by separately combining the wet ingredients, dry ingredients, as well as the topping, then combined and baked in the morning!(Waited to add the flax and melted coconut oil in the morning also) Really loved this!

    1. Yay!! So glad this baked oatmeal turned out for you, Shannon. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  29. 5 stars
    I can’t believe how delicious this is! It might be my new favorite baked oatmeal! (Though your Strawberry Banana is hard to beat). Baked it for longer than was called for because my mixture was runnier, but it turned out perfect. The edges didn’t burn or anything. Very satisfying!

    1. Woo!! That makes me so happy to hear. I’m pumped you loved this recipe. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it, Madeline!

  30. 5 stars
    This was so yummy! It tasted like the best of Thanksgiving. I had leftover sweet potatoes and knew you’d have a great recipe I could use them in. Next time I think I’ll top with sliced bananas and maybe a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips!

    1. Ahh yay!! So glad you loved this baked oatmeal recipe, Abigail. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  31. 5 stars
    Made this today! So far I have made 4 kinds of baked oatmeal. And all your recipes are all soooo good!!! I post it usually on my IG and always get people askong for the recipe.

    1. Woo!! So glad you’ve been loving the baked oatmeal recipes, Natasha. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  32. 5 stars
    This oatmeal turned out so good. I didn’t use an egg or flax egg, and it was still creamy and delicious! A must make anytime of year!

  33. 5 stars
    I’ve always wanted to bake one, it was yesterday when i just realized that i had every ingredient for this one (its hard to find mapple syrup here), so i just prepped ahead and bake it this morning! It is way more flavory and delicious than i though it will be.
    Im gonna try banaba and pb tomorrow!!!

    1. I love when that happens!! So glad you loved this baked oatmeal recipe, Ana. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  34. 5 stars
    I have made a few of the baked oatmeal recipes and this is my favourite! Loved the flavour of all the spices and the crunch on top, yum!

  35. Sweet potato casserole is one of my favorite dishes at Thanksgiving and with Thanksgiving being cancelled this past year I had a sweet potato casserole-sized hole in my heart. This dish was the perfect solution to satisfy my craving. It was so moist and delicious and reheats so well for work breakfasts.

  36. 5 stars
    I love this recipe! I’m counting calories and watching sugar intake so instead of sweet potatoes I use butternut squash and I just recently switched the brown sugar to Swerve brown sugar that doesn’t affect blood sugar levels. I eat it every single day and love it! Thank you! Soooo good!

    1. So glad you’ve been loving this recipe! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it, Ellen.

  37. 5 stars
    I loved your maple banana pecan oatmeal and will definitely try this one. Do you think steel cut oats can be swapped for regular oats? Thanks!

  38. 5 stars
    Made it for a group of ladies this weekend. It was a hit. I will be making it for my husband soon.

  39. 5 stars
    Looks delicious!!! I’m not a fan of coconut oil. It’s too high in saturated fat fir my eating program. Can I swap with olive oil or omit altogether?

  40. 5 stars
    These are delicious. The perfect amount of sweetness. I’ll be making another batch today because I gobbled up the first batch in no time. They are the perfect grab and go breakfast.

    1. Woo! Love to hear that, Jessica! So glad this recipe was a hit. Thank you for leaving a review, I really appreciate it.

  41. 5 stars
    This is a great recipe, I make it almost weekly. I usually sub out canned pumpkin for the sweet potatoes but have also used apple butter and bananas. Also have added chopped nuts or chocolate chips.turns out great every time. Thanks

    1. That’s great to hear, Virginia! Thanks for taking the time to leave me a review and comment.

  42. 5 stars
    My teenage boys and I tried this today and it was utterly fantastic! I never post comments but this was so easy to make and delicious I had to say thank you for such a great recipe that we will be making on a weekly basis now! I actually made it last night and reheated pieces in the microwave this morning for their breakfast which worked out great!

    1. Oh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Leslie. I’m so glad this recipe was a hit. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it.

    1. WOO! I am excited to hear that this recipe is a hit, Naomi. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it.

  43. 5 stars
    I’ve made this countless times over the past couple years. I make it as the recipe says and my whole family and I love it! Thank you for this great recipe!

    1. WOO! I am so glad to hear this recipe is a hit for you and the whole family, Brooke. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I truly appreciate it!

  44. 5 stars
    I never comment on blogs or recipes, but this was so good!! I served it topped with sliced bananas and honey Greek yogurt. It tasted like bread pudding. Yumm! This will become a breakfast staple in my house!

    1. WOO! This makes me SO happy, Lori. I am so glad you gave this a try and it was a hit. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

      1. I can’t do oil. Can the 1tbsp be omitted in the batter? Could I sub 1tbsp date paste or applesauce to bind the toppings?

        1. Hi LouAnn – You could possibly use melted butter in the batter and also the topping. I am afraid date paste might cause the topping to be too sweet.

  45. 5 stars
    I have made a lot of baked oatmeal, and this recipe is hands down my favorite! I would give it 10 stars if I could! It is absolutely delicious, and my husband (not a huge fan of baked oatmeal) absolutely loves it!
    My only substitutions were an egg for the flaxseed and butter for the coconut oil, because I had these on hand. A truly perfect breakfast, thank you so much for sharing!!

    1. Hi Susan! I am SO excited to hear you gave this recipe a try and are loving it. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!