Fudgy Brownie Baked Oatmeal (Healthy, Vegan) (2024)

This Fudgy Brownie Baked Oatmeal is chocolatey, fudgy, chewy and tastes just like a brownie, but healthy! This oatmeal recipe is perfect for a weekend brunch or premade for a quick weekday breakfast on busy mornings and you can easily customize with other flavors or toppings.

You can now have brownies for breakfast! This is a great addition to a plant-based diet, made with healthy ingredients that are packed with nutrients like peanut butter, oats, avocado, and flaxseed. While traditional brownies are often loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats, this baked oatmeal recipe is low in sugar, high in fiber, and contains healthy fats that are good for your body.

If you love oats, you will love my Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats , Peach Crisp Overnight Oats or Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal. Transform basic oats into amazing vegan banana oatmeal muffins!

Want some more brownie goodness? Try out my No-Bake Brownie Bites!

What are baked oats?

Baked oats are a breakfast dish made with oats, plant-milk, sweetener, and other flavors that are baked in a dish in the oven. The texture is similar to traditional oatmeal but firmer and a slight cake-like texture. I love baked oats because it is super easy to make for a breakfast ahead of time!

What makes these brownie baked oats "fudgy"?

To create that classic fudgy texture like in a brownie, you need to add a fat to the mixture. Instead of oil or butter like in regular brownies, we are using mashed avocado and peanut butter. Avocado is a healthy fat high in omega-3 fatty acids while peanut butter is high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Ingredients

• Rolled oats: Also known as old-fashioned oats. They will create the perfect chewy texture for our breakfast brownie.
• Cocoa powder: Use a sifted, unsweetened cocoa powder to give these baked oats a rich chocolate flavor
• Pure maple syrup: You only need ¼ cup of maple syrup to add some sweetness to these baked brownie oats. The chocolate chips will take care of the rest.
• Baking powder: To help these babies rise a little! Make sure yours is fresh (<6 months old is best)
• Almond milk: You can also use soy milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk you enjoy. I recommend unsweetened because we are already using sweetener in this recipe.
• Natural peanut butter: Adds to the texture of the brownie. It really doesn't add much "peanut butter" flavor
• Avocado: The secret ingredient! This adds to the fudgy-ness of the brownies and makes a huge difference in the recipe!
• Vegan chocolate chips: You can find dairy-free chocolate chips at most grocery stores including these brands: Enjoy Life, Guittard, Pascha, and Lily's Sweets.
• Salt: just a pinch is all you need to balance the flavors.

Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this vegan brownie baked oatmeal is that you can easily customize!

Peanut butter →almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter for a nut-free option.

More protein→ Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to the batter, which will not only provide extra protein but also give the oatmeal more chocolatey flavor.Alternatively, you could top the baked oatmeal with a dollop of plant-based yogurt or a sprinkle of hemp seeds for an additional protein boost.

Vanilla flavor →Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a little vanilla flavor.

More flavor → Just like a brownie, you can add in different nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc) or other flavors like pumpkin, mint, caramel and more! You get to be creative in your kitchen, which is what makes this recipe so fun.

Maple syrup → Brown sugar, agave or honey (if not vegan).

Equipment

• Two medium bowls
• 9x9 glass pan

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 F or 190 C. Whisk your dry ingredients in a medium bowl: combine oats, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2: In a separate bowl combine your wet ingredients: non-dairy milk, maple syrup, mashed avocado, peanut butter and flax egg.

Step 3: Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix brownie batter until combined. Fold in vegan chocolate chips.

Step 4: In a greased 9x9 pan (or parchment-lined) pour brownie batter into pan. Optional: Add a few more chocolate chips on top if you like it extra chocolatey. Bake for 20-22 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5: Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting into 4 large squares. Enjoy!

Storage & Reheating

Store individual bars in airtight container for up to 5 days or simply cover the pan with plastic wrap. You can freeze this too for up to 3 months by storing in a freezer-safe container (glass works well).

Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

FAQ

▶︎Want more delicious oat-based recipes? Try out these no-bake pumpkin cookies that are super easy to make in less than 20 minutes or my apple pie overnight oats!

More delicious breakfast ideas!

▶︎Craving more brownie recipes? Check out this vegan-friendly recipe for delicious brownies without eggs!