After a decadent Super Bowl weekend, the last thing you probably want to see is another nachos, wings, or creamy dip recipe, right?  Today, my friend Rada has stopped by to write a guest post and she’s brought with her an awesome, guilt-free breakfast recipe!  I’m always drooling over the pictures Rada posts on Twitter and Instagram of foods she eats or makes (and of Rocky, who is simply a white, fluffy ball of joy!), so I was really excited to have her share this recipe with us.  Here it is:

Hi, I’m Rada and I’m thrilled to be a guest blogger on The Tasty Bite.  I love Karen’s recipes and have been following her blog since its inception.  I’m a twenty something girl living in NYC with an adorable Maltese pup named Rocky.

I want to introduce you to the best baked oatmeal recipe you’ll ever try.  It might just change your view on oatmeal.  It’s that good!  For those of us whose New Year’s resolutions focused on healthy eating, this recipe will keep you riding high.  It’s a simple, quick, and satisfying breakfast (or dessert?), especially in the chilly winter months.  Trust me, your belly will appreciate it.

Baked oatmeal is perfect for playing around with different fruit and nut combinations.  My favorites are strawberry, apple, and pear.  Oh, and did I mention that the recipe allows you to incorporate healthy foods into your diet, without losing great taste?

Feel free to leave a comment below.  I would love to hear from readers who try my recipe!  You can also find me on Twitter: @FoodPornNY

Warm Fruit & Berry Oatmeal
(Serves 6-8)

2-3 ripe bananas, cut into ½-inch pieces
cooking spray
1 cup strawberries (or your favorite berries), sliced
1 cup apples or pears, diced
1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant)
¼ cup wheat bran (optional)
½ cup walnut pieces, chopped
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cardamom (optional)
½ tsp fine-grain sea salt
¼ cup dried fruit such as cherries or raisins
¼ cup liquid sweetener (honey, agave syrup, maple syrup)
1 ½ cups skim milk
1 large egg
4 oz. applesauce
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the bananas in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle berries and fruit over the bananas.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, wheat bran, walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, salt, and dried fruit. Cover the fruit in the baking dish with the oat mixture.

Using the same large bowl, whisk together your liquid sweetener of choice with the milk, egg, apple sauce, and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the oats and fruit, evenly distributing throughout the baking dish.

Bake 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden. Remove from the oven and enjoy warm.

Tips & Notes:

Tip: Bring your egg and milk to room temperature prior to baking.

Note: I typically like to use buckwheat honey in this recipe, but have also successfully used both agave syrup and maple syrup as well.

Note: I enjoy eating the oatmeal with a dollop of yogurt on top. Karen’s recipe for home-made yogurt is great.