Description
This Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast casserole featuring cubed bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard with fresh blueberries, baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep, it offers a deliciously moist texture and a hint of natural sweetness from maple syrup. Optional nuts add a delightful crunch, while a dusting of powdered sugar makes it extra special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed bread (brioche, challah, or French bread)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Bread and Blueberries: Spread the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the blueberries evenly on top.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread and blueberries, pressing down gently to ensure all pieces are soaked thoroughly.
- Rest the Mixture: Let the dish sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow the bread to absorb the custard. For enhanced flavor, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Add Nuts: If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the top before baking for added texture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the oatmeal is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked oatmeal to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm with extra maple syrup or fresh fruit.
Notes
- You can use any type of sturdy bread such as brioche, challah, or French bread for best results.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and heavy cream with coconut cream.
- Maple syrup or honey can be adjusted to taste for sweetness preferences.
- If using frozen blueberries, no need to thaw before adding.
- Leftover baked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- Allowing the mixture to rest overnight in the refrigerator will intensify the flavors and improve texture.
