Transform your morning routine with a burst of color and joy! This delightful Funfetti Baked Oats Cake is more than just breakfast; it’s an experience that feels like a treat while delivering wholesome goodness. Imagine starting your day with a warm, fluffy, cake-like creation, studded with vibrant sprinkles, without any guilt. This incredibly easy baked oatmeal recipe is designed to bring a smile to your face and a healthy start to your day.
The viral sensation of #BakedOats has taken social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram by storm, and for good reason! Who wouldn’t want to indulge in a slice of “cake” that’s actually a nutritious and satisfying breakfast? Our Funfetti Baked Oats Cake recipe captures all the fun and flavor of this trend, offering a simple yet incredibly satisfying meal. It’s naturally gluten-free (when using certified oats), packed with protein to keep you full, and so irresistibly tasty, you’ll be excited to wake up!
If you’re looking for more simple and delicious breakfast recipes, be sure to explore options like Strawberry Nutella French Toast or other creative morning delights.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
This Funfetti Baked Oats Cake isn’t just another breakfast recipe; it’s a delightful fusion of health, convenience, and pure enjoyment. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your morning repertoire:
- Cake for Breakfast, Guilt-Free! Let’s be honest, the idea of eating cake for breakfast sounds like a dream. This baked oats recipe makes that dream a reality. With its soft, moist, and fluffy texture, reminiscent of a delicious cake, and the festive burst of rainbow sprinkles, it truly feels like an indulgent treat. Yet, it’s crafted from wholesome ingredients, offering a nourishing start to your day without the sugar crash or heavy feeling. It’s the perfect compromise between healthy eating and satisfying your sweet tooth!
- Effortless & Quick Preparation. Say goodbye to complicated morning routines. This recipe champions simplicity. All the ingredients, except for the sprinkles, are tossed into a blender, creating a smooth batter in mere seconds. From prep to oven, you’re looking at just 5 minutes of active work. It’s the ideal solution for busy mornings or when you crave something special without the fuss.
- Perfectly Portioned (and Easily Scalable!). This recipe is specifically designed for a single serving, making it an excellent choice for individuals or those looking for precise portion control. Enjoy a freshly baked oat cake made just for you! However, its versatility shines through as it can be effortlessly doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled. Simply use multiple ramekins or a larger baking dish to feed a crowd or prep for the week ahead. It’s fantastic for meal prepping individual servings that can be easily reheated.
- Packed with Wholesome Goodness. At its core, this is oatmeal, a powerhouse of nutrition. Rolled oats are rich in fiber, promoting digestive health and keeping you feeling full longer. Combined with protein from the egg and milk, this breakfast provides sustained energy, helping you stay focused and energized throughout your morning. It’s a breakfast that truly fuels your body and mind.
- Customizable Fun for Everyone. While the funfetti aspect is certainly a highlight, this baked oats recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily adjust the sweetness level, swap milk types for dietary preferences (dairy-free options work wonderfully), or add extra mix-ins and toppings. Whether you’re craving more chocolate, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of nuts, this recipe serves as a fantastic base for all your creative breakfast experiments.
Essential Ingredients for Your Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
Crafting the perfect Funfetti Baked Oats Cake requires a few simple, everyday ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some helpful notes and potential substitutions:
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are crucial for the right texture. Rolled oats blend beautifully into a fine “oat flour” that gives the cake its structure. Avoid instant oats (which can make it gummy) or steel-cut oats (which won’t blend smoothly enough and require much longer cooking times).
- Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener adds a delicious depth of flavor. You can easily adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness. Honey, agave nectar, or even a sugar substitute can be used as alternatives.
- Baking Powder: Don’t skip this! Baking powder is your secret weapon for a light and airy baked oats cake. It’s what helps the batter rise in the oven, preventing it from becoming dense or heavy.
- Whole Egg: The egg acts as a binder, contributing to the cake-like structure and richness. You can use it straight from the fridge; no need to bring it to room temperature. For a vegan option, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) works perfectly.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding a comforting and familiar sweetness that complements the funfetti theme.
- Milk: Provides necessary moisture to the batter. Any type of milk works well here – whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk are all great choices, allowing for dietary flexibility.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps create that wonderful tender crumb. If you’re going dairy-free or vegan, simply swap it for an equal amount of melted vegan butter or a neutral-flavored oil like coconut oil or vegetable oil.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: The star of the “funfetti” show! Use classic rainbow jimmie sprinkles for that festive look and texture. Divide them between the batter and a final topping for maximum visual appeal.
- Salt: A small dash of salt is essential. It balances the sweetness of the maple syrup and vanilla, bringing out the full flavor profile of the oats cake.
- White Chocolate Wafer Chips (Optional): For an extra layer of indulgence, chopped white chocolate chips or wafers can be added as a topping after baking. They melt slightly into the warm oats, creating a decadent finish.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
Making this Funfetti Baked Oats Cake is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even novice bakers. Just follow these simple steps for a delicious and vibrant breakfast:
- Prepare the Oven and Ramekin: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position an oven rack in the middle of your oven for even baking. Lightly spray an 8 oz. ramekin with baking spray or grease it with butter to prevent sticking. If you’re making multiple servings, prepare an equal number of ramekins or a larger baking dish.
- Blend the Batter: In a high-speed blender, combine all the ingredients except for the rainbow sprinkles. This includes the old-fashioned rolled oats, maple syrup, baking powder, whole egg, vanilla extract, milk, melted butter, and a dash of salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. There should be no visible oat pieces, and the batter should have a consistent, pourable texture.
- Add the Sprinkles: Once your batter is smooth, gently add 2 teaspoons of rainbow sprinkles directly into the blender. Give the blender bowl a few gentle shakes or use a spoon to lightly fold the sprinkles into the batter. You want them distributed without overmixing, which can cause their color to bleed.
- Pour and Top: Pour the blended, sprinkle-infused batter into your prepared 8 oz. ramekin. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little bit more rainbow sprinkles on top of the batter before baking. This step is optional but highly recommended for that classic funfetti appearance.
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully place the ramekin into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your specific oven. Begin checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark. The baked oats cake should be set and no longer jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean. Be careful not to overbake, as this can lead to a dry texture.
- Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the ramekin from the oven and let the Funfetti Baked Oats Cake cool for a few minutes. This allows it to set up further and makes it easier to handle. For an added touch of decadence, top with some chopped white chocolate wafer chips, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or a dollop of whipped cream. Alternatively, enjoy it plain and warm, savoring its simple, delicious flavor. Consider serving it with a side of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-like experience.
Pro Tips and Tricks for the Best Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
While this Funfetti Baked Oats Cake recipe is wonderfully simple, a few expert tips can elevate your experience and ensure perfect results every time:
- Don’t Overmix the Sprinkles: Once you’ve blended the batter, only gently fold in the sprinkles. Excessive mixing, especially with a blender, can cause the colors of the sprinkles to bleed into the batter, dulling their vibrant appearance. A few gentle shakes of the blender cup or a quick stir with a spoon is all you need.
- Choose Your Blender Wisely: A high-speed blender is ideal for achieving a super smooth, cake-like batter, as it effectively pulverizes the oats into a fine flour. However, if you’re making a single serving, a smaller personal blender might be even more efficient. Its compact size ensures the blade thoroughly processes all the ingredients, leaving no chunky bits of oats behind.
- Customize Sweetness to Your Liking: The maple syrup amount in the recipe is a guideline. Feel free to adjust it to suit your personal taste preferences. If you prefer a less sweet breakfast, start with 1 tablespoon. If you have a sweeter tooth, go for 2 tablespoons or a little more. Honey or agave are also excellent alternatives.
- Experiment with Milk: This recipe is incredibly adaptable to various milk types. While whole milk provides a rich texture, you can effortlessly swap it for any plant-based milk such as almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk to make it dairy-free without compromising flavor or texture.
- Baking Powder is Non-Negotiable: This ingredient is critical for achieving the desired light and fluffy, cake-like texture. It acts as a leavening agent, helping the baked oats rise beautifully and preventing them from becoming overly dense or heavy. Do not omit it!
- Storage and Reheating: While these baked oats are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. It’s a quick way to enjoy a “hot dessert cake” even on subsequent days.
- Embrace the Banana-Free Approach: Many viral baked oats recipes include bananas, which can significantly alter the flavor profile. This recipe intentionally omits bananas to allow the classic funfetti cake batter taste to shine through, offering a pure, unadulterated “cake for breakfast” experience. If you love bananas, you can certainly add them, but this recipe is perfect for those who prefer their oats without the banana flavor.
- Creative Topping Ideas: Beyond chopped white chocolate or a drizzle of melted white chocolate, the topping possibilities are endless! Consider a dollop of whipped cream or “dream whip,” a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat, fresh berries, a swirl of almond butter, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Funfetti Baked Oats Cake Variations
One of the joys of baked oats is how incredibly versatile they are! Once you master the basic Funfetti Baked Oats Cake, you can easily adapt it to suit your mood or ingredients on hand. Here are some delightful variations to try:
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream:
- Double Chocolate Funfetti: Add 1-2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter for a rich chocolate base. Stir in chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) along with the sprinkles before baking.
- Nutella Swirl: After pouring the batter into the ramekin, dollop a teaspoon of Nutella on top and swirl it gently with a toothpick before baking.
- Fruity Delight:
- Berry Blast: Fold in a handful of fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, diced strawberries) with the sprinkles.
- Apple Cinnamon: Add 1/4 cup finely diced apple and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the batter. A pinch of nutmeg would also be lovely.
- Lemon Zest: Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest into the batter for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Nutty Crunch:
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Add a tablespoon of peanut butter, almond butter, or any nut butter to the blender with the other ingredients for a rich, nutty flavor.
- Chopped Nuts: Fold in a tablespoon of chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans for added texture and healthy fats.
- Spiced Perfection:
- Chai Spice: Add 1/4 teaspoon chai spice blend (or a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves) for a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Pumpkin Spice: Perfect for fall, add 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and a tablespoon of pumpkin puree to the batter.
- Boosted Benefits:
- Protein Power: As mentioned, you can add a tablespoon of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder to the blender for an extra protein boost.
- Chia Seeds: For added fiber and omega-3s, stir in a teaspoon of chia seeds (they will also help thicken the batter slightly).
- Vegan Version (Detailed): To make this recipe completely vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes). Replace dairy milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk, and use vegan butter or a neutral oil like coconut oil in place of regular butter. Ensure your sprinkles are also vegan-friendly, as some contain confectioner’s glaze (shellac).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
Got questions about making the perfect Funfetti Baked Oats Cake? We’ve got answers!
Yes, absolutely! Despite its cake-like texture and festive sprinkles, this baked oatmeal is indeed a healthy breakfast choice. At its heart, it’s a bowl of oatmeal, which is rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates. You can further enhance its health benefits by opting for less maple syrup and skipping the white chocolate chips, or by adding nutrient-dense toppings like fresh fruit or nuts.
This baked oatmeal is naturally gluten-free since oats themselves are gluten-free. However, to ensure it’s suitable for those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, always make sure to purchase certified gluten-free rolled oats, as regular oats can sometimes be cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains during processing.
For a single serving, an 8 oz. (approximately 1-cup capacity) ramekin is ideal. If you don’t have an 8 oz. ramekin, you can use two smaller ones, but be sure to monitor the baking time closely as smaller ramekins will cook faster. Adjust baking time accordingly to prevent over-baking.
No, steel-cut oats are not suitable for this recipe. This baked oats recipe relies on rolled oats being blended into a fine powder, essentially acting as oat flour, which creates the smooth, cake-like texture. Steel-cut oats have a much coarser texture and will not blend into a smooth batter, resulting in a completely different and less desirable outcome.
Yes, baked oats reheat beautifully! You can quickly warm up a refrigerated portion in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or until heated through. They taste almost as good as fresh, making them a great option for meal prep.
Definitely! Adding a tablespoon of your favorite protein powder is an excellent way to boost the protein content of your baked oats. Vanilla-flavored protein powder complements the funfetti theme particularly well, but unflavored or even chocolate protein powder can also be used.
The beauty of baked oats is their versatility! You can add almost anything you wish. Before or after baking, consider stirring in fresh or frozen fruits like berries or diced apples, chopped nuts for crunch, chocolate chips, nut butters, shredded coconut, or even a pinch of your favorite spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
Absolutely! To make this recipe vegan, you’ll need to make a few simple substitutions. Replace the whole egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, allowed to sit for 5 minutes). Swap dairy milk for a plant-based alternative such as almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Finally, use vegan butter or substitute the melted butter with a neutral-flavored coconut oil.
If your baked oats didn’t rise, the most common culprit is expired or inactive baking powder. Ensure your baking powder is fresh. Overmixing the batter after adding the sprinkles (or even blending for too long with just the oats) can also sometimes lead to a denser texture. Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.
Allow your baked oats to cool completely after baking. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can individually wrap cooled baked oats and freeze them for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly from frozen in the microwave.
The Ultimate Funfetti Baked Oats Cake Recipe Card
Funfetti Baked Oats Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashion rolled oats
- 1-2 tbsps. maple syrup, more or less to taste
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tbsps. milk
- 2 tbsps. melted butter
- 2½ tsps. rainbow sprinkles, 2 tsps. for the batter, ½ for topping or less
- dash of salt
- 2 white chocolate wafer chips, chopped for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place rack in the middle of your oven. Lightly grease an 8 oz. ramekin.
- In a blender, blend all the ingredients together, except for the sprinkles, until nice and smooth. After the batter is blended, add in 2 tsps. of sprinkles and gently shake the blender bowl a little to mix the sprinkles with the batter, avoiding overmixing.
- Pour the batter into the prepared ramekin. Sprinkle a little bit more sprinkles on top if you desire (optional).
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. Depending on your oven, it may take a little less or a little more. Check for doneness at around 20 minutes; the center should be set and not jiggly. Avoid overcooking.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Top with some chopped white chocolate, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or enjoy it plain. Other delicious toppings include whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a dessert option.
Notes
- This is a baked oats recipe with milk. You can swap the milk for any type of milk such as almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Don’t skip the baking powder as it helps the baked oats rise and keeps it from being dense and heavy.
- Be sure to use a high-speed blender for this recipe. You want the ingredients to be well blended. A smaller blender might be helpful in this recipe so the blade gets all of the ingredients efficiently.
- The maple syrup can be swapped for honey or agave if you’d prefer.
- For a vegan option, substitute the egg with a flax egg and use plant-based milk and vegan butter/coconut oil.
Nutrition
More Delicious Breakfast & Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this Funfetti Baked Oats Cake, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful recipes to brighten your mornings or sweeten your evenings:
- Best Crepe Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast
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- Whipped Coffee (Dalgona Coffee)
We truly hope you enjoy every recipe we share with you, especially this fun and flavorful Funfetti Baked Oats Cake. We encourage you to give it a try, savor its deliciousness, and share your creations with friends and family! Your feedback is invaluable to us, so please consider rating and commenting below if you love this recipe!
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