Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal Loaf

So, I went to the gym last night and it was full- which actually makes me happy because it’s full of all kinds of people who are jumpstarting their New Year’s Resolutions. However, I also left a huge homemade chocolate cake at the front desk.. so there’s that.

Disclaimer- I made the cake for a party that I was supposed to go to on New Year’s Day- only to get stuck in a snowbank and not make it to said party. So there I was, huge cake staring at me from the fridge.. I had a piece and then said goodbye.

Speaking of healthy kickstart to the New Year it’s crazy how many people I have gotten hooked on these baked oatmeal breakfast loaves. It’s so important that you eat a big breakfast as it kind of sets the plan for the rest of your day. I’ve gotten to a point now where I take these little guys with me everywhere- sometimes eating them in between TV segments in the green room or in the car to the studio. They are perfectly portable, full of clean ingredients, and a great combo of protein, carbs, and fats. I like to top mine with peanut butter or almond butter.. delish!

The only problem with these is that they are terribly un-photogenic… hence the above. Eeks.. Ah well, they all taste fab!

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal Loaf
1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 of a small banana, diced or smashed
1/4 cup of pumpkin (this just thickens up the bread)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup of quick cook oats
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon
Sweetener (I use Stevia to keep it natural)

Preheat oven to 375

Mix together egg whites, banana, pumpkin, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together oats, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and sweetener (the spices and sweetener are all personal preference)

Mix wet and dry ingredients together and pour into a greased mini loaf pan

Bake covered with aluminum foil for 20 minutes, and then uncover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched

**Cook’s note: I typically check it around 20 minutes and if it seems a little soft I leave the foil on for another few minutes before uncovering and finishing up cooking for 5 minutes. This will have the texture of baked oatmeal more than a muffin- Feel free to process the oats to make a “flour” and a cakeier loaf