Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is oatmeal with blueberries? ›

Good 'n healthy Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries

This fiber-rich, heart-smart superfood can lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Oats are gluten-free, whole grain, and loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and more.

The reason? Oats absorb moisture as they sit—so if you let your batter sit before you bake, you'll run the risk of making a dense, thick, gummy baked oatmeal (when you really want a light, fluffy one), she explains.

It's satisfying, and a steaming bowl of baked oatmeal adds a touch of comfort to the start of the day. It's also full of fiber and protein, making it a healthy breakfast option. Baked oatmeal is a great blank canvas that you can jazz up with any number of add-ins.

The difference between baked oatmeal and baked oats is all in the texture. "And getting that cake-like texture comes from adding the egg, but also blending the ingredients well," Jawad explains. You can double (or triple) the recipe.

For many people with diabetes, consuming oatmeal doesn't have a lot of cons. Eating oatmeal can spike blood sugar levels if you choose instant oatmeal with added sugar or consume too much at once. Oatmeal may negatively affect health in those with gastroparesis, a health condition that causes delayed gastric emptying.

Oats contain a type of soluble fiber, called beta glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels, thus reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes. Beta glucan also promotes healthy gut bacteria and intestinal health.

Cooked oats will last up between 3 to 5 days when stored in the fridge, whereas uncooked oats can last between 1 to 2 years if stored in a cool, dry place. On average, steel-cut oats have a longer shelf life than other types of oats, such as instant and rolled oats, and can last 2 years when correctly stored.

It doesn't even have to be a milk—you can just use water, or a mix of yogurt and water, or applesauce and water, or keifer or whatever liquid you want to infuse your baked oatmeal with.

If the center is soggy, the oats likely need a little more time in the oven. Be sure to bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

"While oatmeal is sold as a healthy option for some things, it does have an impact on our metabolism, and I advise caution" in eating too much, says Naidoo. Oatmeal is also known to cause gas and bloating, which can be especially problematic if you have gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Is oatmeal better for you than bread? ›

Oatmeal Is a Good Carb

No need to fear carbs at breakfast. Complex carbohydrates, like oats, take longer for your body to digest. They don't cause the same swings in blood sugars as simple carbs like white bread or sugar. Plus, oats deliver nutrients like magnesium and phosphorus.

The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

Compare 100 calories of baked potato to 100 calories of oatmeal, and you find a bit less protein (3 grams vs. 4), a bit more starch (18 grams vs. 16) and a similar mineral profile (potatoes have more potassium, but oats have more selenium). But potatoes beat out oats in just about every vitamin, as well as fiber.

Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a nutrient-rich fruit packed with antioxidants that support heart health and cognitive function. 10 They're low in calories and high in fiber, which supports satiety while improving gut health.

Blueberry-almond oatmeal

You might associate oatmeal with breakfast, but don't discount it as a nighttime snack! Lorenz recommends a bowl of oats with berries before bed. “Oats are a good source of tryptophan, which helps your body to produce melatonin to support a natural sleep cycle,” she says.

Baking, boiling and microwaving also reduced the levels of the compounds, with longer cooking times (e.g., three to five minutes of microwaving) leading to the biggest declines in the concentrations of these blueberry components.