Cinnamon Swirl Protein Banana Baked Oats (Printable)

Warm banana-bread style baked oats with cinnamon swirl and protein in a single ramekin.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 scoop vanilla or cinnamon protein powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
06 - 1/3 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl

09 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/2 teaspoon melted butter or coconut oil

→ Optional Toppings

12 - Sliced banana
13 - Greek yogurt
14 - Chopped walnuts or pecans

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 10-12 oz ramekin with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Add rolled oats to a blender or food processor and blend until a fine flour consistency forms.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mashed banana, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
05 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared ramekin and smooth the top surface with a spatula.
07 - In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until well combined.
08 - Drizzle cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter surface. Using a toothpick or thin knife, gently swirl the mixture into the top layer of batter in a decorative pattern.
09 - Bake for 22-25 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean with minimal batter residue.
10 - Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. Top with optional sliced banana, Greek yogurt, or chopped nuts as desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's legitimately meal-prep proof—one ramekin means zero cleanup guilt and maximum cozy vibes.
  • The protein actually keeps you full, unlike some breakfasts that leave you raiding the fridge by 10 a.m.
  • That cinnamon swirl is less fussy than it sounds and tastes like you're having something indulgent before your day even starts.
02 -
  • Don't bake it longer than 25 minutes trying to get a completely dry center—the residual heat will keep cooking it, and you'll end up with something dense instead of that glorious moist crumb you're after.
  • The ripe banana is everything; it's your sweetness, your moisture, and your structure all in one, so don't try to compensate with extra sugar or it becomes cloying.
03 -
  • Room-temperature ingredients blend more evenly, so pull your egg and milk out of the fridge a few minutes early if you're being particular.
  • If your ramekin is ceramic, it holds heat longer and keeps the center creamy even after you plate it—this is the kitchen wisdom that changed my life.
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