These Banana Baked Oatmeal Fingers with Cherries are the perfect iron-rich breakfast for your kids, toddlers and baby led weaning.
I have these banana baked oatmeal fingers with cherries on heavy rotation in my household because it’s a less-messy way to serve oatmeal when using baby led weaning.
Unlike traditional oatmeal, baked oatmeal is a lot more sturdy which is ideal for blw because it makes it super easy for baby to pick up with their hands to self feed.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
I love baked oatmeal for baby led weaning because it’s an easy way to sneak in lots of healthy nutrition without the need for any added sugar or salt. I also love this recipe because they’re:
- Loaded with iron, antioxidants, and omega 3 fatty acids
- Packed with protein (9 grams) and fibre (6 grams)
- Safe for beginner eaters – the finger like shapes make it really easy for baby to pick it up and self feed. (I used the same technique for my frittata fingers, and my salmon fritters)!!
Key Ingredients
Hemp Hearts – Hemp hearts are seriously one of my favorite things to sprinkle on top of everything including these banana baked oatmeal fingers. They are packed with healthy fats and plant-based protein.
Cherries – Not only do cherries add the perfect amount of sweetness to this recipe, but they also add antioxidants and fiber!
Rolled Oats – Rolled oats are a great way to add some whole grains into the diet. And for only 1/2 cup of oats, you get 4 grams of fiber!
How To This Make This Recipe
Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the ripe banana, almond butter, eggs, almond milk, oats, chia, flax, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder.
Step 2: Transfer the oats to the pan, then top with chopped cherries, sliced banana and hemp hearts.
Step 3: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges and top is golden brown.
Step 4: Allow to fully cool in the pan, then cut banana baked oatmeal into finger-sized strips. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Expert Tips
Here are some important tips to consider when making these banana baked oatmeal fingers.
- Don’t overbake or underbake. Underbaking will make it hard for baby to pick these fingers up, but overbaking may make it really dry. Look for golden brown edges and a firm centre when you press on it with your finger.
- Switch up the fruit and nut butter! Have fun with the flavours – sometimes I add blueberries, cherries, cooked apple, pear, raspberries and any other fruit I have on hand in there with the bananas. You can also change the nut butter or use a nut-free butter like sunbutter.
- Get your kids involved! You kids can definitely help you mix up the ingredients, mash the banana, or decorate the top with fruit and hemp hearts.
Recipe FAQs
You can keep this in an air tight container (or in the pan you made it in) for up to 4 days.
To freeze this baked oatmeal in strips, wrap each individually in plastic than transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
If your baby has nut allergies, then use a nut-free butter like Sunbutter.
Get creative with what’s in season! Here are some ideas:
Spring: Strawberries, Rhubarb
Summer: Blueberries, Peaches, Raspberries, Nectarines
Fall and Winter: Apples, Pears
You can use pureed mango in place of the ripe bananas if you don’t like banana or are allergic.
As long as you use gluten free oats, this baked oatmeal is naturally gluten free.
Yes! As long as you use a non-dairy milk, this is completely dairy free.
While we do use eggs in this recipe, you can try to make it vegan by using a flax egg or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flax or chia and 2.5 tbsp liquid like water or almond milk).
More Recipes Like This
Looking for more fun recipes like these banana baked oatmeal fingers? Check out some of these recipes!
- Sheet Pan Pancake Fingers
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Baby Cereal Protein Pancakes (BLW)
- Baby Frittata Fingers (BLW)
- Oatmeal Muffins with Apples and Cinnamon
Now tell me – what are some of your go-to finger food recipes for baby led weaning?
Banana Baked Oatmeal Fingers with Cherries (BLW & Toddler Friendly)
Ingredients
- 1 cup very ripe banana mashed (about 2 medium)
- 1/2 cup natural almond butter
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tbsp white chia seeds
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup frozen cherries quartered
- 1 small banana sliced
- 3 tbsp hemp hearts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 13×9″ pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ripe banana, almond butter, eggs, almond milk, oats, chia, flax, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder.
- Transfer the oats to the pan, then top with chopped cherries, sliced banana and hemp hearts.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges and top is golden brown.
- Allow to fully cool in the pan, then cut into finger-sized strips. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this banana baked oatmeal? Leave me a comment below!
Updated on April 15th, 2025
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Shay-Lee says
Hey Abbey!
I’m allergic to tree nuts and I was wk seeing if could use peanut butter and dairy milk instead of almond?
TIA!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes absolutely!
Smru says
I used tahini for this recipe
Anna says
In the instructions it says to bake for 40-45 mins. This is way too long. By 30 mins it was starting to get burned so I took it out, and it ended up being quite dry and dense. In the comments I see 15 mins mentioned and on the very top it indicates cook time 15 mins. But I followed the instructions. Bummer. Can you please confirm and correct? Thanks!
Abbey Sharp says
So sorry to hear about that! Cook times can vary depending on the type of pan you use. If 15 mins works better with the pan that you use then go with that 🙂
Ali says
These were so good! My kiddo (and us) loved them!
Abbey Sharp says
So glad!
Lauren says
Do you think I could use canned coconut milk instead of almond milk?
Abbey Sharp says
Yes absolutely
Marie-Therese Gummer says
Delicious! Made these this morning and caught myself eating quite a few lol. Super easy and quick to make. Thanks for another great recipe!
Roxanne says
Hi Abbey! Can you freeze this? Thanks!!
Abbey Sharp says
Yup, totally!
Radhika says
Question how long are these okay in the fridge? Thanks
Abbey Sharp says
I would say about a week or so
Judy says
Hi Abbey,
I baked these for 20 minutes and until golden brown but they are still gooey when I cut them. Is this how they are supposed to be as opposed to cake like?
J
Abbey Sharp says
They shouldn’t be dry (or else it wouldn’t be safe for Baby) so it won’t get like a full cake but if still very wet it would need more time. Should be like a sticky toffee pudding like consistently!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i need to share this with some of my friends..i could see myself eating this though 😛
Abbey Sharp says
Yes!
Heather Worker says
This is maybe silly but I really don’t like bananas. I suppose they add moisture and act as a binder—anything else You recommend i could use in their place? If there is no suitable replacement I’ll freeze the extra to make sure my 1 year old can get through it ok.
Abbey Sharp says
you could try apple sauce!
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
This looks so delicious! I loved making food for babies when they were learning to eat.
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! I love it
Johanna Ysselstein says
I love this recipe and all the ingredients, the only thing that I would say is that they take more like 45-1hr to bake then 15 minutes.
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Johanna! Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂 did you use a 13×9″ pan? if you used a smaller pan that might explain the need for a longer cook time. But either way, i’m glad you made it work!
Abbey Sharp says
It really depends how dry you want it. My son prefers them more on the moist side.
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
I love that these are packed with nutrition AND flavor! They look like something the whole family will enjoy!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes! Definitely. Thanks love
Deborah Brooks says
I love cherries with oatmeal great combo!
Abbey Sharp says
Agreed.
Amy Gorin says
Great recipe! No babies here but I just might whip this up and try it myself!
Abbey Sharp says
good call!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
This sounds like a recipe everyone can enjoy. What a great idea!
Abbey Sharp says
yes yes! It was a hit!
Ln says
Do you think it would work if I replace eggs with 2 flax eggs to make it vegan ?
Abbey Sharp says
Absolutely!!
Agata says
Is hemp neccessary? What can it be substituted with?
Abbey Sharp says
It’s not necessary. It just adds some protein, fibre and healthy fats. No substitute necessary if you’re leaving it out.
Melissa says
This recipe comes at the perfect time. I have been looking for a great baked oatmeal recipe to try out for babe.
Is there a difference between white chia seeds and the regular black ones ?
Abbey Sharp says
amazing! No difference, either will work great!