Keto oatmeal is the perfect breakfast for chilly mornings! This easy baked “oatmeal” is hearty and delicious, and doesn’t contain a single grain of oats or sugar. Best of all, it has only 2.7g of net carbs per serving!
So how long do you think it will take someone to freak out over this keto oatmeal recipe, and start yelling at me that oatmeal isn’t keto?
3…. 2…. 1….
Regular oatmeal certainly isn’t keto friendly. So it’s a good thing that this keto oatmeal recipe doesn’t contain a single flake of oats. No, not even the most minuscule amount. As with all of my keto breakfast recipes, this one is completely grain-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free.
And yet it has the perfect oatmeal-like texture and a rich, hearty maple flavor. You have to try it to believe it!
Why you will love this recipe
Oatmeal by its very definition should contain oats. But oats are quite high in carbs and not something generally recommended on a keto diet.
Still, a warm bowl of oatmeal on a chilly winter morning is hard to beat for comfort food. So I have invented my own way of making a delicious oatmeal substitute that tastes like the real deal.
I use a combination of flaked coconut and sliced almonds, ground to the size of oats. It works like a dream and it’s a trick I’ve used in other recipes as well, most notably my Keto Oatmeal Cookies. Those are a fan favorite!
If this recipe looks a little familiar to some of you, then you probably own a copy of my cookbook, Easy Keto Breakfasts. There are a lot of tasty recipes in that book, but this maple keto oatmeal is one of my favorites. It’s the ultimate breakfast comfort food!
Reader Testimonials
“Oh how I love this oatmeal! I missed oatmeal more than anything when I went keto. Nothing satisfies like a bowl of hot cereal to start the day.” — Annie
“My family LOVES this “oatmeal”. My daughter just informed me that I’m going to have to make it forever now, so don’t lose the recipe! I love your ideas, thanks for sharing them with the rest of us! ❤” — Cathy
“I have made a couple of different versions of Low carb baked oatmeal. This recipe of Carolyn’s is by far the best ever!!! My daughter and granddaughter who don’t follow low carb prefer this over regular oatmeal!” — Lois
Ingredients you need
- Coconut: Use unsweetened flaked coconut, such as Let’s Do Organic. Shredded coconut doesn’t work as well, since it’s smaller to begin with. If that’s all you can find, don’t process it with the almonds. Simply add it in along with the other dry ingredients.
- Almonds: When coarsely ground, sliced almonds have a similar texture to oats. Make sure you aren’t using slivered almonds, as they are much thicker and won’t provide the same consistency.
- Brown sugar replacement: I always prefer Swerve Brown, as it tastes the most like real brown sugar. You can also use granulated erythritol and 2 teaspoons of molasses. This will add only 1g carbs per serving.
- Collagen: Collagen protein, or collagen peptides, is integral to the consistency of this keto oatmeal. It provides a thicker, gooier consistency. Unfortunately, other protein powders like whey or egg white won’t do the same thing.
- Flavoring: I really love maple extract for this baked oatmeal, but you can do other extracts as well. Try vanilla or caramel.
- Kitchen staples: Butter, heavy cream, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Step-by-step directions
1. Make the “oatmeal”: In a food processor, grind the coconut and almonds until they resemble flakes of oatmeal. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the dry ingredients: Whisk in the sweetener, collagen, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Stir in the wet ingredients: Add the butter, cream, egg, and maple extract and stir until well combined.
4. Bake the oatmeal: Spread the mixture in a greased 1-quart glass or ceramic baking dish and bake at 325ºF 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and the center is mostly set. It should jiggle just slightly when shaken. Remove and let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe tips and FAQs
Creating your “oatmeal” out of coconut and almonds is the first step, but there are a few other tricks in this recipe to get that soft, gooey baked oatmeal consistency.
Use a food processor
A food processor is the best way to grind the coconut flakes and sliced almonds because you can pulse it quickly. I find that just 3 or 4 pulses are sufficient. I have tried this in my good blender and it works, but tends to get them too fine very quickly.
Use your favorite sweetener
This is a recipe that should work with just about any sweetener. That said, I’ve only used Swerve Granular and Swerve Brown, but it doesn’t rely on those for texture or consistency so it should work with what you prefer most.
Add the collagen
I know I will be asked for substitutes but I have to say, it’s a pretty critical ingredient. It aids in that gooey, creamy consistency that baked oatmeal should have. You can try other protein powders but I honestly cannot say how well they will work.
The baking dish
An important note here: ceramic and metal bake VERY differently. Metal heats up quickly and cools down quickly. Ceramic (and glass) heat up slowly and hold their heat for quite some time out of the oven.
In this case, you want a glass or ceramic baking dish that holds about 1 quart (4 cups) in volume.
Look for the jiggle
This is a recipe you definitely do not want to over-bake. So look for the jiggle in the center. You will have a beautiful golden brown top and the sides should be set. But if you shake the baking dish, the middle should still jiggle slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real oatmeal, made with oats, is not appropriate for keto diets. A a bowl of cooked oatmeal has 27g of carbs and only 4g of fiber. And most people with diabetes see a significant blood sugar spike from consuming it. So you want to avoid oatmeal on keto and low carb diets.
While oats are a big no-no for keto diets, you can enjoy hot cereal that has a similar taste and texture to oatmeal. These are usually made with nuts, coconut, and seeds, and are much lower in carbs and higher in fiber.
This keto baked oatmeal has 5.2g of carbs and 2.5g of fiber. So each ½ cup serving has 2.7g net carbs.
More delicious keto “oatmeal” recipes
- Carmelitas
- Keto Breakfast Cookies
- Keto Do-si-Dos Cookies
- Butterscotch Oatmeal Bars
- Keto Breakfast Bars
Easy Keto Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup flaked coconut unsweetened
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup Swerve Brown
- ¼ cup collagen peptides
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon maple extract or vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F and grease a 1 quart glass or ceramic baking dish.
- In a food processor, grind the coconut and almonds until they resemble flakes of oatmeal. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Whisk in the sweetener, collagen, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter, cream, egg, and maple extract and stir until well combined.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared baking pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and the center is mostly set. It should jiggle just slightly when shaken.
- Remove and let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Gretchen says
Perfect for today…-9° in Northern Wisconsin.
Vicki G says
This was very tasty and satisfying.
Sharon says
This looks good but if it does 8 servings can it be stored its only me that does keto
Carolyn says
Yup. You can refrigerate it for up to a week.
Deb says
Wow this is amazing and a great alternative to a heavy breakfast. Delish – but I love coconut and almonds. I also crumbled a couple pecans on top of my serving. I also added half the maple extract and added vanilla since I make my own.
Brenda Lebron says
I, unfortunately have nut allergies, specially almonds. I would love to try your recipes.
Rose says
Try hemp hearts..maybe soak them in milk before for about 15 min
Sarah says
Can I substitute unflavored whey powder for the collagen peptides?
Carolyn says
As I make clear in the blog post, I have no idea if that will work.
Mo says
Hi, tried this recipe, used vanilla whey protein powder instead, worked just as well, the problem i have now is i can’t stop eating it.
Peggy says
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free? I was wondering if I could substitute butter-flavored coconut oil for the butter, and substitute coconut cream for the heavy whipping cream?
Carolyn says
You can certainly try!
Kim says
Hey Carolyn
I hope you don’t mind, I shared your recipe on my blog, of course I credited you! I made this today and it turned out tasting fabulous. I cannot wait to eat it for breakfast tomorrow with some cream. I did try a couple of bites once it cooled off from the oven and it tasted heavenly-more like dessert than breakfast! I will probably use less sweetener next time (1/4 cup maybe) and I’m so happy to have a baked recipe to use my collagen peptides in!! Thank you so much!
Carolyn says
Thanks so much!
Shelly says
Carolyn, I want you to know you are my bench Mark for a good recipe that we would enjoy. I enjoy “reading “ recipes, but I always check your site to see if you made the same thing and will inevitably go with your recipe! Thank you for your knowledge.
Carolyn says
Thank you so much!
Andrea Burgdorf says
Will unflavored gelatin work as a substitute for the collagen peptides?
Debbi says
hello,
I just want you to know that I really love following you and make many of your recipes… They are all so great! I am learning a whole new way of baking than what I have been used to my whole life, I’m 64. You make being Keto so enjoyable! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and yummy recipes! I’m going to try this “oatmeal” recipe for sure! :o)
Kelly Bliss Grant says
I am always worrying about going over a serving size and eating too many calorie. Could I bake these in ramekins? If I split the mix into 8 servings what length of time would you suggest cooking them for? This recipe looks so delicious!!
Carolyn says
Sure! Not sure what the cooking time will be.
Ed says
The serving size is depressingly small. As tasty as this stuff is, you’ll be hard-pressed to stop at just one serving. Of course, portion-control via ramekins might work for you. At our house, on the days we make this, we eat 2 servings per person, and just factor that into the nutritional data for the day.
I’ve made portions for myself and my son; knocking off about 4-5 minutes baking time worked for us. Timed it by the degree of golden-brown, mostly. Also have pre-baked and post-baked potions in the freezer. Will try ’em next weekend and see which survived (and serves) better.
Carolyn says
Well given that a serving is over 300 calories and it’s very high fat, I feel it’s an appropriate amount. And adding cream and perhaps some breakfast meats, it makes a pretty hearty breakfast for most people on a keto diet. But to each his own.
Ida says
I love oatmeal-AND your “oatmeal” cookies. So, I must try this recipe! I like my bowl of oatmeal a little more liquidy. Add almond milk to my serving for my preferred consistency? Please advise.
Carolyn says
Honestly, you will need to experiment a bit because I haven’t tested that out. I’d say maybe replace half of the cream with that and bake a little less.
Rachel says
Is there a substitute for the coconut? I have an allergy. Thanks!
Carolyn says
You can use another cup of sliced almonds.
Kimberley Cook says
I am not a fan of almonds. If I substitute cashews or pecans, can I do that at a one-to-one ration? If not, what is the quantity I am looking for of ground nuts?
Carolyn says
I have no idea, I have not ever tried to make it that way.
Marilyn says
The overnight noatmeal i make has pecans.. Very good.. So i think it would work well on this one too.
Kristin Maher says
Vital proteins collagen powder ok?
Carolyn says
Yes.
Debbie Edwards says
Can 2% milk be substitute d for the heavy whipping cream?
Carolyn says
No, it won’t be thick enough. I’m wondering why you would want to use 2% milk in a keto recipe? You’re adding several additional carbs per serving since it’s pretty high carb.
Lisa says
Could you use Nut Pods instead of HWC? It is nearly as thick as HWC, no sugar, & more importantly no dairy. Thanks for the recipe! I’m excited to divide & cook up individual servings. I’m the only fan of oatmeal in our home.
Carolyn says
You can certainly try. Or you could do coconut cream.
Mary Kay Layman says
Is the nutritional info include sugars, all sugars?
All sugars affect me personally. Are the carbs total count for the recipe?
Carolyn says
I am sure there are some natural sugars in this, but they’d be very very low. Yes, it’s total carb count but not including erythritol as it has no impact on blood glucose.
Roberta says
Unfortunately, we’re not all created equal: for someone erythritol does have an impact on BG 🙁 So it’s always appreciated when the nutritional infos clearly count for it, as I found in some recipes on your books and I found them really helpful. In the end, if someone’s lucky enought to can avoid counting erythritol, he/she won’t be disturbed to read a small detail more, and those who instead have troubles counting also for sweeteners would find a great help… just to say that I appreciated a lot when I found your recipes completely detailed, so thank you for the accurate work you did, and maybe ì…well, just keep it in mind for your future books 😉
Carolyn says
My recipe card has no place for erythritol on the blog so i can’t add it. However, it should be pretty easy for people to figure out based on the ingredients…
Donna says
I have collagen powder – is that the same as peptides? This looks so delicious – in middle of cold winter weather, would love to enjoy this weekend!
Carolyn says
Yes, that will work!
Jen says
Can you strongly taste the coconut? I am not a coconut fan…truly hate the texture as it reminds me of chewing dental floss! However this looks so good I am tempted to try it.
Carolyn says
If you use maple extract, you shouldn’t be able to taste any coconut.
Jen says
I was surprised at how good it actually is! My only question now is the best way to reheat it?
Carolyn says
Just gently in a microwave or an oven.
2pots2cook says
Oh yes ! Beautiful as usual ! 🙂