Sweet and Savory Oatmeal Bake
This recipe guides you through creating a unique oatmeal bake that harmonizes sweet and savory notes. Featuring steel-cut oats, toasted walnuts and coconut, diced apples, and maple-smoked bacon, it's baked until tender and golden. Ideal for a hearty breakfast or brunch, it can be enjoyed warm from the oven or cooled and sliced into convenient squares.
Equipment
- 1 8x8 inch Baking Dish
- 2 Mixing Bowls One large for dry ingredients, one medium for wet
- 1 Whisk or Large Spoon For combining ingredients
- 1 Aluminum Foil For covering the baking dish
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut toasted
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced apple about 1 medium apple
- 1/4 cup chopped cooked bacon preferably maple-smoked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Stir together the oats, walnuts, coconut and salt in a large bowl to combine. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg, then stir in the milk, brown sugar and olive oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ones and stir to combine. Add the apple and bacon to the mixture and stir to evenly distribute.
- Pour the oat mixture into an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes. Serve hot, scooped into bowls, or let cool completely to room temperature and cut into squares for serving.
Notes
This Sweet and Savory Oatmeal Bake offers a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. Ensure your walnuts and coconut are properly toasted before incorporating them, as this significantly deepens their nutty aroma and flavor. For the bacon, opt for maple-smoked if possible, and ensure it's crisped well and chopped finely for best distribution and a textural counterpoint. Steel-cut oats provide a chewier texture than rolled oats, so the longer baking time is crucial for tenderness. If preferred, you can slightly reduce the brown sugar for a less sweet profile. This dish is incredibly versatile; consider a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup upon serving if you desire more moisture or sweetness. It holds well for meal prep, too, making it an excellent make-ahead breakfast option.