Getting kids to eat healthy AND early in the morning can be difficult at times, but with these individual oatmeal porridge shots, kids will enjoy the delicious toppings as well as the fun way to eat them! And this breakfast is not just for kids; adults can enjoy them too.
The toppings are what make this recipe sweet (strawberries, chocolate chips, maple syrup, etc.), but the small jars or dessert cups are what make this breakfast porridge fun! They're also great for serving at sleepovers and birthday parties.
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 individual oatmeal jars, the portions are small and kids can have as little as 1 or grab some more if they're feeling famished.
Your kids might also enjoy these banana cake pops and brownie bites.
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Difference Between Porridge and Oatmeal
Let's get the confusion out of the way first. 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 (like in my electric skillet oatmeal cookies), 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.
Oatmeal Porridge Ingredients
- quick oats - These are rolled oats that have been processed further to reduce the cooking time.
- milk - I use a combination of milk and water to cook the oats. You can use only milk or only water if you prefer. Using milk will make your porridge more thick and sticky while water will make it thinner.
- sugar - Or sugar substitute.
- salt - A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the oatmeal.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
Topping Ideas
I wanted my kids to have options, so I prepared 2 individual jars with each topping. The toppings for these oatmeal porridges include:
Topping #1:
- strawberry slices
- yogurt
- poppy seeds
Topping #2:
- peanut butter
- jelly
- chopped hazelnuts
Topping #3:
- sliced bananas
- maple syrup
- cinnamon powder
Topping #4:
- jellies/gummies (you could use mini marshmallows instead of jellies for a S'mores version!)
- crushed sweet biscuits (like graham wafers)
- mini chocolate chips
Chef's Note: My personal favorite is peanut butter and jelly! I love this combination in my grilled peanut butter and jelly too.
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 or if you want to stick to sweets.
- I've even chopped up this easy, homemade Bananas Foster dessert and added it as a topping.
- You can go in a completely different direction with butternut squash seeds. Get creative with it!
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) dessert glasses or small jars, leaving some room for the toppings.
Step 5: Serve! Serve the porridge with the topping options (or use your kids' favorite toppings!).
Chef's Note: I used 2 jars for each porridge topping. Kids can pick and choose their porridge. This is a fun way to get kids to eat their breakfast!
Serving Suggestions
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 oatmeal porridge. You can also try this fresh strawberry milk.
I find 4 ounces to be a good serving size for this oatmeal. 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.
You could even make it breakfast bar style and have an assortment of toppings on the table for everyone to make their own combinations.
Storage
The oatmeal porridge tastes 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.
❤️More Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
What toppings did your kids love on their jar of porridge? If you tried this Oatmeal Porridge With Toppings Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Oatmeal Porridge With Toppings
Ingredients
For the Porridge Base
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup sugar - or sugar substitute
- ¼ 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 small jars or dessert bowls, leaving some room for the toppings.
- Serve the individual porridge shots with the topping options above (or use your kids' favorite toppings!). Kids can pick and choose their porridge.
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include the toppings for this recipe since there are different variations and amounts.
- *You can use whatever size dessert glasses or jars you like, but make sure they are wide enough to fit a teaspoon into them (or get some mini spoons). I do not recommend plastic, as the porridge is served warm.
- **The porridge tastes 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 as well.
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.
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