Give me something sweet with a cup of coffee and I feel like my day is going to be pretty great!

This little bake hits my sweet tooth, and I packed it with filling (nutrient-dense) ingredients. 

I call this a breakfast idea, but it’s awesome for a second breakfast or maybe a mid-morning snack to finish off that pot of coffee. 

Why don’t you come over for coffee and we can enjoy this oatmeal brownie bake, eh? 🙂 

The craze of easy oatmeal bakes

I keep seeing many simple, delicious chocolate banana breakfast bakes, and after at least 7 times of perfecting this recipe, I came up with a clear decision. 

I am not adding any bananas in this dish because it did not let the cocoa and chocolate chips be the star of the show!

For the sweetness, I added applesauce and maple syrup to assist the chocolate flavor, plus mini chocolate chips are my secret ingredient.

You do not have to add a lot of mini chocolate chips.  Little bits of warm chocolate bites are spread evenly throughout this brownie bake.

My daughter asked me, “Mom, those do not taste like brownies!”  I busted out laughing because, yes, they are not the same as brownies, but they do offer a hefty chocolate fix with heart oats, and she agreed. 

I want to be clear; this is not replacing your everyday brownie, nor is it “healthifying” the normal brownie recipe.  If you were to have brownies for breakfast every day, you might not feel great.  But this is a dish can be enjoyed every day with staple ingredients. 

After rounds of recipe trials, I found plain Greek yogurt provides some protein and give the recipe a soft, moist texture.  

Some recipes we tried, were very dense and I thought it might okay if I doused it in maple syrup, fail!

Let’s talk about the ingredients

Each ingredient is added intentionally to make this oatmeal bake: filling, satisfying, and delicious! 

I like the balance of adding almond flour and oats to add essential nutrients, but give this recipe a lighter taste, almost like a coffee cake texture. 

Nutrient dense ingredients

Almond flour is packed with nutrients including, potassium calcium, iron, and vitamin E.  In this recipe almonds provide, 12 grams of fiber and 24 grams of protein! 

Quick oats also provide a great amount of fiber in this recipe – 8 grams of fiber plus 10 grams of protein.  Oats also provide sources of iron and potassium. 

Greek yogurt provides potassium, calcium and 18 grams of protein in one serving. 

Apple sauce (unsweetened) is a nice natural sweetener for baking and give the recipe a fluffy texture.

Maple syrup helps pull together the sweetness of hitting the chocolate fix! Pure maple syrup (darker grades) may contain some antioxidants. 

Cocoa powder is a rich source of polyphenols, which is a plant compound that offers health benefits. Cocoa powder also is high in fiber and a source of magnesium. 

Mini chocolate chips are a staple in my freezer to throw into energy bites, muffins, pancakes or add to a trail mix.  They are the perfect little bites for sweetness (you do not have to add as many as regular chocolate chips).

Oatmeal Brownie Bake

Ingredients

  

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (1/4 cup use in mix)

Instructions

 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Add eggs, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, and vanilla in a bowl and mix together.
  • Add oats, almond flour, baking powder, and baking powder to the mixture.
  • Add the 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan and add batter evenly. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips to the top of the batter.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (until center comes out clean when poked with a knife).

Love these ideas?  

Be sure to follow on Instagram for more easy ideas. 


@dailydietitianrd