Cinnamon Swirl Protein Banana Baked Oats (Printable)

Tender oat base with warm cinnamon swirl and protein boost in a single ramekin

# What You Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 1/2 cup unsweetened milk of choice
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
06 - 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Cinnamon Swirl

09 - 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1 teaspoon melted butter or coconut oil

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-10 ounce single-serving ramekin.
02 - In a mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the banana. Whisk in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Stir in the oats, protein powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
04 - Pour the mixture into the prepared ramekin and smooth the top.
05 - In a small bowl, combine the coconut sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter to form a paste.
06 - Spoon the cinnamon mixture in small dollops over the oat batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it through the top layer.
07 - Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the center is just set and the top is golden.
08 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with yogurt, banana slices, or nut butter.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent enough to feel like dessert for breakfast, but the protein keeps you full for hours without the crash.
  • Single-serve means no leftovers competing in your fridge, and you can have it ready in under 40 minutes start to finish.
  • The cinnamon swirl is ridiculously forgiving, so even if your marble job isn't Instagram-perfect, it still tastes like you meant to do that.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly than cold ones, so let your egg and milk sit out for 10 minutes if you have the time, it makes a real difference in texture.
  • Don't bake it longer than 25 minutes or the edges will dry out while the center is still setting, that sweet spot is when it jiggles barely at the center.
03 -
  • Make the cinnamon paste right before you swirl it so it stays cohesive and doesn't separate, and don't overthink the swirling, imperfect ribbons actually look more homemade and honest.
  • If your ramekin is on the smaller side, reduce everything by a quarter and bake for 18 to 20 minutes instead, because the baking time shifts with the volume.
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