Chocolate Protein Baked Oats (with zucchini!)

caitlinbrae — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 14:28:37 +0000

Chocolate protein baked oats are loaded with oats, zucchini, chocolate and egg whites. They make the best easy breakfast and last all week long. Grab your oats and let’s get to baking!

Chocolate Protein Baked Oats

Chocolate protein baked oats make the best breakfast or mid morning snack since they are loaded with wholesome and healthy ingredients. We could all use more veggies in our life, especially during breakfast. And these oats have a whole cup and a half of shredded zucchini. What’s great about adding the zucchini is that you don’t even taste it but you get all the added benefits.

Most recipes with zucchini require you to squeeze and drain the liquid out of the zucchini but not this zucchini oatmeal recipe! The zucchini adds moisture and liquid so the oats won’t come out dry. Additionally, these oats are loaded with egg whites for extra added protein!

Ingredients in chocolate protein baked oats

Chocolate protein baked oats are made with wholesome and healthy ingredients that will leave your feeling powered and full all morning long.

Oats – use any whole oats of choice, gluten free or regular

Cocoa powder – adds a rich chocolate flavor

Flaxseed meal – adds extra nutrients and vitamins

Chia seeds – also add extra nutrients and add texture

Baking powder – is the rising agent

Salt – just a pinch to enhance all the flavors

Egg – helps bind all the ingredients together

Zucchini – shredded zucchini adds moisture and lots of nutrients. Since zucchini is mild in taste you don’t even notice it in this recipe

Liquid egg whites – egg whites help bind the ingredients together and they also add tons of protein

Milk – milk adds moisture

Pure maple syrup – is an all natural sweetener that helps to sweeten things up

Chocolate chips – for extra chocolate goodness

What’s so great about oats?

This baked protein oatmeal is loaded with wholesome ingredients like oats, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, zucchini and egg whites! Oats themselves are a very nutritious whole grain that is loaded with fiber, carbs and nutrients. Here are a few other reasons why you’ll love these oats:

They can be mixed in one large bowl.

Chocolate baked oats are sweetened with pure maple syrup.

They are served warm for a cozy, satisfying breakfast.

This zucchini oatmeal is loaded with nutrients.

Due to the fiber, baked oatmeal will keep you full all morning long!

Adding chocolate makes a fun twist on traditional oatmeal.

Additionally, try these single serve chocolate baked oats for some more recipe inspiration!

How to make baked protein oatmeal

One of the great things about baked protein oatmeal is that it makes the best meal prep breakfast. They will last all week and make the mornings so easy!

STEP 1

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

STEP 2

Secondly, whisk together the wet ingredients in a large bowl: egg, zucchini, egg whites, milk and maple syrup. Whisk until combined.

STEP 3

Thirdly, add in the dry ingredients: add in the oats, cocoa powder, flax seed meal, chia seeds, baking powder and salt into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Fold until combined and then add in the chocolate chips.

STEP 4

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. A 9×9 pan works best but you can also use 9×13 or 8×8, you will just have to adjust your baking times.

STEP 5

Enjoy for breakfast in the morning!

Baking options

There are a few ways you can bake these oats! For thicker results you’ll want to use a smaller pan. Or for thinner results like a sheet cake, use a larger pan. I have outlined the different baking options below.

9×13 pan. For thinner results, bake these oats in a 9×13 pan for 23-25 minutes.

9×9 pan (recommended!). For thicker results, bake these oats in an 9×9 pan for 30 minutes. Using this size pan make the best end result. They are slightly thick and chewy.

8×8 pan. Use an 8×8 pan for thick oats. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until fully set.

How to serve chocolate protein baked oats

While this oatmeal is delicious on it’s own, feel free to add some additional toppings!

Add a drizzle of peanut butter. For the best peanut butter and chocolate combo, add a drizzle of creamy peanut butter on top.

Sprinkle more chocolate chips on top. For all you chocolate lovers, add a sprinkle more of chocolate chips on top!

Warm up your slice in the microwave. These chocolate baked oats can be served chilled or warmed. Feel free to warm up a slice in the microwave to melt the chocolate.

Substitutes and variations

Milk or dairy free milk. This recipe calls for 1/2 cup of milk. Feel free to use almond milk, oat milk or any dairy free milk of choice.

Maple syrup or honey. This recipe uses pure maple syrup as the sweetener but you can also use honey!

Frequently asked questions

What are baked oats?

Baked oats are a warm ‘breakfast bake’ made simply by adding oats together with a few other ingredients and baking them in the oven. They are so easy to make because all you have to do it mix everything together and bake it in the oven like a breakfast casserole. This recipe specifically uses cocoa powder, egg whites, and zucchini to make healthy chocolate protein baked oats.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Make a these on Sunday or at the beginning of the week and store them in the fridge for up to a week. They make the best meal prep breakfast or easy snack so you’ll always have healthy food options on hand.

Are baked oats healthy?

Yes! These baked oats are loaded with healthy and wholesome ingredients like whole oats, zucchini, flaxseed meal and egg whites. They are also naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. One serving is 175 calories and has 7 grams of protein!

Other oatmeal recipes you’ll love

If you love these chocolate protein baked oats, definitely give these other oatmeal recipes a try.

Chocolate Baked Oats with Peanut Butter

Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats

If you make this baked protein oatmeal, I would really appreciate a review! You can also find and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along and share what you make: tag me @braesbites. I love hearing from you!