Getting kids to eat healthy AND early in the morning can be difficult at times, but with these breakfast porridge shots, kids will enjoy the simple but sweet recipe as well as the fun way to eat them. They’re also great for serving at sleepovers and birthday parties.
The toppings are what make this recipe sweet (strawberries, chocolate chips, maple syrup, etc.), but the small jars or shot glasses are what make this breakfast porridge fun!
I wanted my kids to have options, so I prepared 2 shots with each topping. The toppings for these oatmeal shots include:
- strawberry slices, yogurt and poppy seeds
- peanut butter, jelly and chopped hazelnuts
- sliced bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon
- jellies, crushed sweet biscuits (like graham wafers) and mini chocolate chips (you could use mini marshmallows instead of jellies for a S’mores version!)
Difference Between Porridge and Oatmeal
With ingredients like rolled oats, it is confusing to tell the difference between porridge and oatmeal. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two: oatmeal is simply a type of porridge.
While oatmeal always uses oats, porridge isn’t always made with oats. Other ingredients porridge can be made with are cornmeal, rice, potatoes, quinoa, semolina and other legumes or grains. This recipe uses rolled oats; a standard when it comes to porridge recipes.
What Makes Porridge Healthy?
With oat porridge, the oats are a complex carbohydrate, meaning they will give you energy throughout the morning instead of for a short period of time. The oats also have magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, protein and fiber to keep you fuller longer.
Ingredients
For this recipe you will need:
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup sugar – or sugar substitute
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Toppings: listed above
For tools you will need a saucepan and 8 – 4 ounce mini jars or shot glasses. Dessert cups that hold 4 ounces also work.
How to Make Them
Step 1: Combine Oats & Liquid
Combine rolled oats, milk and water in a medium saucepan.
Step 2: Bring to Boil
Add sugar and salt. Mix well. Bring to a boil.
Step 3: Simmer
Lower heat to a simmer. Cook (uncovered) until creamy and oats are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cover and let ret rest for around 2 minutes.
Step 4: Spoon into Jars
Spoon the porridge into 8 (4 ounce) shot glasses or small jars, leaving some room for the toppings.
Step 5: Serve!
Serve the porridge shots with the topping options above (or use your kids’ favorite toppings!). I used 2 shot glasses for each porridge topping. Kids can pick and choose their porridge. This is a fun way to get kids to eat their breakfast!
Tips & Tweaks
You don’t need to stick to this recipe 100%. You can swap some of these ingredients for your kids’ favorite toppings, especially if they are picky eaters or have nut allergies!
Mini marshmallows are a good substitute for the jellies. You can swap the poppy seeds for chia seeds, if you prefer, or go in a completely different direction with butternut squash seeds. Get creative with it!
Oatmeal tends to result in quick fullness, so kids can sometimes end up leaving half their bowl before flying out the door for school. With these oatmeal shots, the portions are small and kids can have as little as 1 or grab some more if they’re feeling famished. This recipe is a nice way to change up your family’s breakfast routine.
Using milk will add more protein and natural sweetness to your porridge. Adding healthy toppings like fruit or yogurt will add more vitamins, natural sweetness and fiber. You can use both milk and water or just use one of them. Using milk will make your porridge more thick and sticky while water will make it thinner.
If you wish to have something with your porridge, like a drink on the side, a cup of milk will go well with it, especially if you want something to cool you down from eating the hot porridge.
I find 4 ounces to be a good serving size for these shots. You can use small glass jars or even small dessert bowls. I don’t recommend plastic, because the porridge is served warm. Chemical leaching can occur quicker when plastic has been heated.
Storage
The porridge shots taste best if served immediately. But if you do end up having leftovers, cover the jars and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, depending on the toppings. Oatmeal is reheatable and you can add a bit more liquid to loosen it up if you find it really thick after refrigerating.
What toppings did your kids love on their jar of porridge? My personal favorite is peanut butter and jelly. Let me know in the comments and please share the recipe!
Breakfast Porridge Shots With 4 Tasty Toppings
Ingredients
For the Porridge Base:
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup sugar - or sugar substitute
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings:
- strawberry slices, yogurt and poppy seeds
- peanut butter, jelly and chopped hazelnuts
- banana slices, maple syrup and cinnamon
- jellies, crushed sweet biscuits (like graham wafers) and mini chocolate chips - (you could use mini marshmallows instead of jellies for a s’mores version!)
Instructions
- Combine rolled oats, milk and water in a medium saucepan.
- Add sugar and salt. Mix well. Bring to a boil.
- Lower heat to a simmer. Cook (uncovered) until creamy and oats are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cover and let ret rest for around 2 minutes.
- Spoon the porridge into 8 (4 ounce) shot glasses or small jars, leaving some room for the toppings.
- Serve the porridge shots with the topping options above (or use your kids' favorite toppings!). There will be 2 shot glasses for each porridge topping. Kids can pick and choose their porridge. This is a fun way to get kids to eat their breakfast!
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Looking for a cold drink to go down with your porridge? Try our Strawberry Milk