Thanks to their fiber, vitamins, and minerals, nutritionists and dietitians agree that oats are a healthier breakfast choice than most other cereals. Because baked oatmeal usually calls for a lot of fat and oils, it has a high glycemic index (GI), making it an instant binge food. That said, eating oats as part of a healthy, balanced diet will ensure you’re getting most of the nutrients you need (and then some). Suppose you’re in the middle of a week-long Paleo or Keto diet. In that case, oats can be your finisher, helping you reach your total daily limit of carbohydrates. Your body uses oats in two primary ways: to produce energy or store energy. When you’re first waking up, your body primarily produces energy, which is why baked oatmeal may leave you feeling light-headed.

Are Baked Oats Healthy?

For the most part, baked oatmeal isn’t any different from regular old oatmeal. A quick search for nutrition facts shows that you’re just eating a standard serving of the same health benefits: fiber, dietary fiber, and the healthy fats that come along with oatmeal.

The critical difference lies in the method you use to bake your oatmeal. Some benefits are contained in the bran, germ, and oat germ, while others come from soaking the oats for 24 hours in either water or milk. Food historian Ellen Broadbent says, “The main nutritional difference is that you’re soaking the oats in milk or water so that the nutrition is coming from the germ and the bran. Most of the nutrients are already present in the oat.

How Long Should Oats Be Cooked?

For baked oats, there’s only one type of cooking method: a toaster oven. The oats will keep their shape, and the baked versions will retain their texture as they bake, so keep that in mind before eating. Dr. Carol Johnson from the University of Wisconsin says, “Oats should be cooked until they begin to change color, turning a darker shade of brown.” If you see that color on the outside, it’s probably too far along for baking.

Oats should be eaten within 24 hours of being made. Otherwise, they should be cooked to at least 115 degrees. So it would help if you took out the OJ and put the oats in the microwave before you wake up in the morning, then eat them in the toaster oven as soon as you’re done.

Can You Freeze Baked Oats?

Yep! You can freeze baked oatmeal in your freezer as long you occasionally stir to prevent lumps. If not tended to, the oats will turn into nasty mush.

How To Make Baked Oatmeal

It’s super easy to make your own baked oatmeal, simply combine rolled oats with milk or water, your desired toppings, and some baking soda and salt and whisk together for a few minutes.

What’s The Difference Between Baked Oats and Regular Oats?

When it comes to nutrition, baked oatmeal is similar to the same-named baked oatmeal recipe you’d find in your morning cookbook. You won’t miss out on the fiber, either. To compare, one packet of regular oats contains 15 grams of dietary fiber. At the same time, the same quantity of baked oatmeal has 21 grams—just 2 grams less.