Do you remember a few years ago when overnight oats were all the rage, well now there is another oat-based trend taking over the internet in 2021, originating from TikTok. Baked oats are all the rage now, and the quick and easy recipes are going viral!

What are baked oats, many may be wondering? Well, you clearly haven’t been exploring the food scene on Instagram or TikTok over the past few months.

It’s a pretty simple dish. In its most primitive form, it’s regular oats that have been baked in the oven. But baked oats can be so much more than that. When you bake your oats, they transform into something resembling cake. From there you can add almost whatever you want, appealing to nearly everyone’s palates. 

My baked oats usually consist of the following;

½ cup of oats, half a mashed banana

1 egg, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp of peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon of baking powder

a pinch of salt

¼ cup of almond milk

Then you blend until pourable. You’ll find an array of baked oats recipes that leave the oats whole as they are in the batter, as well as some that choose to mix all the ingredients together in a blender before baking, I prefer to blend.

I pour my oat mix into an oven-safe bowl and bake in an oven preheated to 355 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes, but your bake time can depend on the dish you use and how cooked you like your oats.

The ingredients are usually pretty similar to what you would see used in a normal overnight oats recipe, with the inclusion of baking powder. 

All this together makes for a pretty healthy and nutritious breakfast. 

“Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants,” said healthline.com. “Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.”

Oats can be an excellent source of protein and fiber, which have been linked with lowering cholesterol and managing sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes.

If you still need convincing to make this nutritious meal, here’s why you should try baked oats for your next breakfast.

“I do like baked oats they are healthy and have a good flavor. I also can’t cook so this is a really easy recipe that I can make,” said Kendall Anderson, a  sophomore at Air Academy.

The baked oats trend seems to be another version of the mug cake sensation. But of course, food trends have been common in social media platforms since their conception. Spend a few minutes scrolling, and you’re sure to see fancy coffee drinks, avocado toast, or any dish you can think of.

In the end, baked oats is another food trend on social media I can certainly get behind. Use my recipe up above or make your own and customize it with your own favorite flavors and toppings. Enjoy!