Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert Healthy, simple, ready in about 25–30 minutes
Short introduction
This Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert is a simple baked dish made from ripe bananas, oats, and cocoa. It tastes like a soft chocolate bake. You can make it for breakfast, snack, or a light dessert. It uses few ingredients and needs little work.
introduction
why make this recipe
how to make Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert
Ingredients :
1 cup oats, 2 ripe bananas, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/4 cup milk (or a non-dairy alternative), 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt
Directions :
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)., 2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth., 3. Add the oats, cocoa powder, milk, honey/maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to the mashed bananas. Mix until well combined., 4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish or an oven-safe pan., 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until set., 6. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious cocoa banana oat dessert!
how to serve Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert
how to store Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert
tips to make Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert
variation (if any)
FAQs (minimum three FAQ)
Why you’ll love it
- It uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- It is naturally sweet from ripe bananas — little added sugar is needed.
- It works as breakfast, snack, or dessert.
- It is filling because of oats and banana.
- It is easy to change for diets (gluten-free oats, non-dairy milk).
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (old-fashioned or quick)
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Substitutions & key variations
- Oats: Use gluten-free oats to make the dish gluten-free.
- Bananas: Very ripe bananas give the best sweetness and texture.
- Milk: Swap cow’s milk for almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Sweetener: Skip the honey if your bananas are very ripe. Use maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Add-ins: Stir in a handful of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or berries before baking.
- Spices: Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for warmth.
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Preheat and prepare
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a small baking dish or line it with parchment. Use a 6×6 inch dish or a small oven-safe pan.
Step 2 — Mix the base
Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the oats, cocoa powder, milk, honey or maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until all ingredients come together. The mix will be thick but moist.
Step 3 — Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared dish and smooth the top. Bake for 20–25 minutes. The center should set and not be very jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Step 4 — Cool and serve
Let it cool a few minutes so it firms up. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
Success tips
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for best sweetness and flavor.
- If the batter seems too dry, add a splash more milk. If too wet, add a tablespoon more oats.
- Don’t overbake. Remove when slightly soft in the center; it will finish setting as it cools.
- Grease the pan well or use parchment to avoid sticking.
- For a smoother texture, pulse the oats a few times in a blender before mixing.
How to serve
- Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt or a splash of milk.
- Add fresh berries, sliced banana, or a sprinkle of nuts on top.
- Serve with a spoonful of nut butter for extra protein.
- For dessert, add a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
Storage & reheating
- Store: Keep leftover pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap portions and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a low oven (300°F / 150°C) for 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
A: Yes. Quick oats work fine. The texture will be a bit softer.
Q: Can I skip the honey or syrup?
A: Yes. Very ripe bananas add natural sweetness. Add sweetener only if you want it sweeter.
Q: Is this gluten-free?
A: This can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.
Q: Can I make this in a muffin tin?
A: Yes. Fill muffin cups and bake 12–15 minutes for mini cakes. Adjust time for full-size muffins.
Nutrition notes / equivalents
- This recipe makes about 4 small servings.
- Oats add fiber and slow-release energy.
- Bananas add potassium and natural sugars.
- For lower calories, use water or low-cal milk and skip added sweetener.
Conclusion
This Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert is quick, healthy, and easy. It fits many meals and diets with small swaps. If you like this simple baked oat treat, you may also enjoy a similar flourless, sugar-free chocolate banana oat bake. Learn more and try a close variation here: Flourless Sugar Free Chocolate Banana Oat Bake – Hungry Happens. Give this recipe a try today and share how you serve it!
Links to related recipes
Cocoa Banana Oat Dessert
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (old-fashioned or quick) Use gluten-free oats for a gluten-free version.
- 2 pieces ripe bananas Ripe bananas yield the best sweetness and texture.
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk (or non-dairy milk) Almond, soy, or oat milk can be used as alternatives.
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional) Skip if bananas are very ripe.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a small baking dish or line it with parchment.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
Mixing
- Add the oats, cocoa powder, milk, honey/maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to the mashed bananas. Mix until well combined.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Serving
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious cocoa banana oat dessert!