Baked Oats in the Air Fryer
Baked oats sit somewhere between porridge and a warm breakfast cake, with a soft, spongy middle and a lightly golden top. In the air fryer they cook in about 15 minutes in a ramekin, so you can have a hot breakfast without heating a full-size oven. This recipe needs only a fork and a bowl, with no blender, and makes two generous portions.
- Temperature
- 170°C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 410kcal
Why the air fryer works for baked oats
Air fryer baked oats are fast and simple, and you do not need to heat the oven for one or two portions. The fan-driven heat browns the surface and sets the middle in around 15 minutes, which is quicker than the oven. The result is more cake-like than porridge, and the batter is mixed in one bowl with a fork, so there is no blender to wash.
A ramekin of about 350 ml is the ideal size. It fits easily in a 4–6 litre basket, bakes evenly and gives you a neat single portion. The only real adjustment is the heat: baked oats are delicate, so a moderate 170 °C works better than a high temperature, which would brown the top before the middle is set. Baked oats in air fryer ramekins also suit meal prep, as the batter can be made the night before.
How to make baked oats in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mash the banana Mash the bananas in a bowl with a fork until almost smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
- Mix the batter Add the eggs, milk and vanilla and beat well. Stir in the oats, baking powder and cinnamon. Leave the mixture to stand for , so the oats can soften.
- Fill the ramekins Grease two ramekins (about 350 ml each) with the butter or oil. Divide the batter between them, filling no more than three-quarters full, and press the blueberries into the top.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 170 °C for . Stand the ramekins in the basket and cook at 170 °C for , until the top is golden and set, and a knife pushed into the middle comes out clean.
- Rest and serve Leave the baked oats to rest for , because the middle will be very hot. Serve in the ramekin with yoghurt, extra fruit or a drizzle of honey.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Baked Oats | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Banana baked oats, 350 ml ramekinKnife comes out clean | 170 °C | 15 min |
| Baked oats for oneHalve the quantities | 170 °C | 13–15 min |
| No banana (apple sauce) | 170 °C | 15 min |
| Chocolate baked oatsAdd 1 tbsp cocoa and chocolate chips | 170 °C | 14–15 min |
| Reheating baked oatsCovered, steaming hot | 160 °C | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Use ripe bananas. The riper they are, the sweeter and softer the baked oats will be, with no need for added sugar.
- Grease the ramekin. A thin film of butter or oil lets you loosen the baked oats with a knife and turn them out if you prefer.
- Do not overfill. Baked oats rise a little, so fill the ramekin to three-quarters at most.
Serving
Serve the baked oats warm with Greek yoghurt, fresh berries and a spoonful of nut butter or honey. They also work as a simple dessert with a scoop of ice cream. For a bigger breakfast, add some scrambled eggs or serve with a fresh fruit salad. They are close cousins of banana muffins if you want something to take with you.
Storing and reheating
The baked oats keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, covered. Reheat them in the ramekin, covered with foil, at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through. The raw batter can be kept in the fridge overnight and baked in the morning, so this is a good breakfast to prepare ahead.
Variations
- Chocolate: Stir 1 tbsp of cocoa powder and 1 tbsp of chocolate chips into the batter, and top with raspberries.
- Apple and cinnamon: Replace the blueberries with grated apple and add an extra pinch of cinnamon.
- Protein boost: Replace 20 g of the oats with 20 g of protein powder and add a splash more milk, since the powder absorbs liquid.
Troubleshooting
- The baked oats are dry
- They cooked for too long or the oats were not soaked. Let the batter stand for 5 minutes and take the ramekins out when the knife comes out clean, not any later.
- The top burns but the middle is runny
- The air fryer fan browns the surface fast. Cover the ramekins loosely with foil for the first 8 minutes, then remove the foil for the rest of the time.
- The oats taste bland
- Add a pinch of salt, extra cinnamon or a spoonful of nut butter to the batter, and use very ripe bananas, which are much sweeter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make baked oats in an air fryer?
Yes. Put the batter in ramekins and cook at 170 °C for about 15 minutes, until risen, golden and set in the middle.
How long do baked oats take in an air fryer?
15 minutes at 170 °C for a 350 ml ramekin. Larger or deeper dishes need 18–20 minutes at 160 °C.
Can you make air fryer baked oats without banana?
Yes. Replace each banana with 60 g of apple sauce or 3 tbsp of yoghurt, and add 1 tbsp of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
Can you make air fryer baked oats without egg?
Yes. Use 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp of water for each egg, or increase the banana. The texture will be denser and a little softer.
How do you reheat baked oats in the air fryer?
Cover the ramekin with foil and heat it at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot (75 °C).
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