Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year, especially in the kitchen. between keeping an eye on Türkiye roasted in the oven, whipped for a dozen or so garnishesand there’s no time for breaks, let alone breakfast, to fend off hungry family members trying to sneak a bite. I’ll admit, I’m guilty of skipping a proper meal on Thanksgiving morning. (I usually just rely on crumbs or whatever I have lying around.) But this year, that’s all going to change, thanks to my latest culinary obsession: baked oatmeal. This instant, easy-to-prepare meal is the perfect solution for a stress-free, filling breakfast before the day’s festivities begin.

What is Baked Oatmeal?

Baked oatmeal It’s a healthy, filling meal that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, and everything in between. Think of this as a sort of sweet breakfast casserole. Made primarily with oats, it’s mixed with ingredients like milk or almond milk, eggs, fruit, nuts, sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. After the ingredients are turned into a dough, it is poured into an ovenproof pan and baked until it turns golden and hardens. The result is a tender, sliceable dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Why You Should Eat Baked Oatmeal on Thanksgiving Morning?

It is economical and easy to make

One of the best things about baked oatmeal is how simple it is to make. You can prepare your meal in advance and easily adjust the quantity depending on how many people you will be serving. Doubling or even tripling the recipe requires almost no extra work. Ingredients like oats, fruit, and chocolate chips are relatively inexpensive and go a long way when baked into oatmeal. All you have to do on Thanksgiving morning is reheat and serve.

You can freeze

Cooked oatmeal can last up to three months in the freezer, saving you valuable time on Thanksgiving. Ice cream is an especially great option for fruit add-ins that don’t last well after cooking, like apples and pears. For best results, let cooked oatmeal thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. When it comes to ice cream, you have a few options:

• Transfer the dough to smaller containers, such as square foil pans or pie plates, and wrap each tightly with plastic wrap. Then put the entire mold in the refrigerator bag. This method helps ensure the longest storage time.
• You can also cook oatmeal immediately after preparing the dough. Once cooled, cut into squares and wrap each individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper before freezing. This option is perfect if you want quick, grab-and-go single portions served throughout the morning.

Opportunities Are Endless

One of the best things about baked oatmeal is how customizable it is. You can mix and match flavors to your taste or use ingredients you have on hand. Some of my favorite combinations are blueberries and lemon, chocolate chips, and apples with banana and cinnamon.