Golden Milk Baked Oats

Looking for more golden milk or warm spiced recipes? Try my Golden Milk Overnight Oats, Golden Milk Ninja Creami Ice Cream, or Turmeric Saffron Pistachio Milk next!

About This Recipe

This baked golden milk oatmeal is soft and fluffy on the inside, golden on top, and bursting with delicious warm spices in every bite. Made with turmeric powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and a touch of floral saffron, it’s loaded with anti-inflammatory benefits and immune-boosting properties you know and love in golden milk.  

It’s also packed with protein from vanilla protein powder, helping you stay full and satisfied all morning. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep too! Simply bake, store, and reheat whenever you need a quick, healthy breakfast.

I love topping it with raspberries, pistachios, and chocolate chips for pops of flavor and texture. If you want to make it extra special, serve it with a dollop of my Homemade Pistachio Butter. It adds creamy, nutty pistachio goodness and pairs so well with all those golden milk spices!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

• Blended Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Both homemade and store-bought oat flour work great. If you don’t have oat flour on hand but have old-fashioned rolled oats, simply blitz them in a mini blender or food processor until they reach a smooth, flour-like consistency. Then you’re all set to continue with the recipe. You can also use blended quick-cooking oats, but I prefer the texture of old-fashioned rolled oats. They make the baked oats a little denser and more muffin-like, which is so satisfying. Use gluten-free certified blended oats if needed.
• Vanilla Protein Powder: I used PEScience Gourmet Vanilla Select Protein Powder (a whey-casein blend), but any whey, casein, or plant-based protein powder will work to provide an extra protein boost. Note that plant-based powders soak up more liquid, so add two extra tablespoons of milk if using a plant-based version.
• Spices: We’ve got all the classic golden milk warming spices here—ground turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. I also love adding ground cardamom and a pinch of saffron for that floral, slightly sweet vibe. You can also add a dash of black pepper to help with turmeric absorption if you like, but I personally skip it.
• Brown Sugar: I like Swerve Brown Sugar (it’s sugar-free and calorie-free and made from erythritol, allulose, and vegetable glycerin), which I also frequently use in other healthy high-protein breakfasts like my Cottage Cheese Baked Oats. However, feel free to use any sugar-free brown sweetener you love, made from monkfruit, stevia, or allulose blends. Regular brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even a liquid sweetener (such as maple syrup, honey, date syrup, agave, or monk fruit syrup) are all great alternatives.
• Baking powder: Helps the baked oats rise.
• Almond Milk: Opt for an unsweetened version, such as unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Alternatively, feel free to use any plant-based milk, including coconut or soy milk. Whole milk works too if you don’t need it to be dairy-free.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and moisture without extra fat.
• Liquid Egg Whites: Helps bind everything and adds more protein. You can also use one whole egg but just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
• Raspberries: Either fresh or frozen works but don’t thaw the berries first if using frozen.
• Unsalted Raw Pistachios: Or any other nuts of your choice.
• Chocolate Chips: A fun mix-in for extra flavor and texture! I used Guittard semi-sweet baking chips, but milk, dark, or white chocolate chips also taste great.
• Pistachio butter as a topping (optional): It’s utterly delicious on these baked oats! Try my homemade pistachio butter or use a store-bought one. Or swap in peanut butter, almond butter, or any nut butter you love! Just keep in mind that each one will add its fun twist of flavor to your golden baked oats. You can also pile on extra raspberries, pistachios, and chocolate chips on top. It makes things look gorgeous and taste even better!

Full ingredient list and amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Golden Milk Baked Oats

Below is a step-by-step overview on how to make this recipe. Keep scrolling down to get to the recipe card below with the full recipe and detailed instructions!

6. Enjoy! Drizzle with pistachio butter if desired and enjoy warm!

Storing and Reheating

• Storing: Once completely cooled, wrap the ramekin tightly with foil. Alternatively, if you prefer to remove it, simply run a butter knife around the edges to unmold and transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

• To Reheat: Microwave on high for 1 minute or until warm throughout. Top with the pistachio butter just before eating or your favorite toppings. 

Variations

Dietary Modifications

• Gluten-free. Use gluten-free certified oats if you have sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free. Use a vegan protein powder (not whey or casein protein), and opt for a plant-based milk of your choice, such as nut milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
• Nut-Free: Avoid topping with pistachios and nut butter, and omit raw pistachios as an add-in. You can use a nut-free peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, or even tahini (sesame seed butter) instead. And if you still want a crunchy bite, go for pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Flavor Variations/Customizations

• Extra sweet. Add more maple syrup or honey, or stir in chopped dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, apricots, or raisins. Adding white chocolate chips also makes it sweeter.
• Use different nuts. If pistachios aren’t your thing or if you have an allergy, try using almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, or any other nuts you prefer.
• Add other fruit. I love adding raspberries to my baked oats, but fruits like cherries, blueberries, and strawberries can also be used here, adding their unique flavors. 
• Use a different nut milk or other plant-based milk. Macadamia nut milk, vanilla flavored almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, hazelnut milk, etc.
• Increase the protein with soy milk. It’s higher in protein than unsweetened almond milk and will boost the protein content in these baked oats!
• Leave out the protein powder. If omitting the protein powder, use more blended oats (60 grams total) instead. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and more brown sugar replacement (or other sweetener of choice) to taste. To add protein without using protein powder, you can stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter into the batter instead. Or use sunflower butter if you prefer a nut-free option. You may need to use more milk, as the batter might be thicker due to the increased oats and the addition of nut butter. 
• Use an unflavored protein powder. If using an unflavored protein powder, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and additional brown sugar replacement (or sweetener of choice) to taste.

FAQs

“Pin It” for Later! Save ‘Golden Milk Baked Oats’ to make later!

More Baked Oats You May Also Like…

Almond Croissant Baked Oats

Matcha Baked Oats

Apple Pie Baked Oats

Banana Bread Baked Oats

Air Fryer Baked Oats

Cottage Cheese Baked Oats

More Breakfast & Brunch Recipes