Baked Oatmeal

This oatmeal is so beyond the normal oatmeal, largely due to the sweet bananas and touch of maple syrup.  It is very quick to prepare, and is somewhat wholesome.  It reheats really well, too.  It's definitely a favorite!

Baked Oatmeal
Adapted from Annie's Eats

Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup chopped walnuts, alomnds, or pecans, lightly toasted, divided
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
¼ cup maple syrup
1 cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced ½-inch thick
1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.  Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.  In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, half of the nuts, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Stir with a fork to combine.  In a liquid measuring cup, combine the maple syrup, milk, egg, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla.  Spread the sliced bananas in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish.  Sprinkle the dry oat mixture over the bananas in an even layer.  Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.  Sprinkle the remaining nuts over the top.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set.  Let cool 10 minutes before serving.


Variation: omit the peanut butter, add 1/2 cup blueberries!