Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups
Moist baked oatmeal cups with hidden mashed banana and rich cocoa, perfect for a wholesome breakfast or snack on the go. This general-inspired breakfast (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes combines rolled oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 12, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup (about 2 medium bananas) mashed ripe banana
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups (dairy or plant-based) milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (optional) chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp melted, for greasing coconut oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with 2 tbsp melted coconut oil.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups rolled oats, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup mashed ripe banana, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour wet ingredients into the dry oat mixture and stir until fully combined. Fold in 1/3 cup chocolate chips if using.
- Step 5: Scoop batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Step 6: Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Hidden Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cups vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
