This weekend I decided I would make food for the gods. This is a recipe…
Porridge recipes for a cold morning
These porridge recipes for a cold morning are a great way to start your day. They taste delicious and will give you the energy to face the morning.
After a glorious summer Autumn is starting to creep in. The mornings have a definite chill about them. It is starting to get dark earlier in the evening and the sun is rising when I wake up.
On colder days porridge is perfect for breakfast. I know when the weather gets colder I always get hungry. Porridge is perfect for warming you up and stopping the hunger pangs mid-morning. These porridge recipes should give you some ideas on different toppings to try with your porridge to make it more interesting.
How to make porridge
Porridge is a simple dish but it is worth taking the time to get it right. Using the right measurements will give you a creamy dish which is the perfect base for different toppings. There are plenty of different ways to make porridge, just choose the one that suits your lifestyle.
Making porridge on the hob
The traditional way of making porridge is to put the milk and oats into a pan and simmer on the hob. Make sure you simmer the porridge slowly until it is creamy and thick. A pinch of salt is optional but adds a depth of flavour to balance any sweet toppings. The key to making porridge on the hob is to keep stirring as it cooks. This helps break down the oats and make them creamier.
How to make porridge
This will serve one person. You can double the ingredients to serve two people etc.
Ingredients
- 50 g porridge oats
- 150 ml whole milk
- pinch salt (optional)
Instructions
- Add the oats and milk into a pan with the pinch of salt.
- Bring to the boil stirring all the time
- Keep stirring until creamy and thick. The time for this will vary depending on the type of oats used.
Notes
Choose from different toppings like sugar, maple syrup or fruit to vary the porridge
In the microwave
If you don’t have a hob you can make porridge in the microwave. Just make sure you put the oats and milk in a bowl with plenty of space at the top in case it bubbles up. This is an easy way to make porridge if you are cooking for one.
Porridge in the microwave
Ingredients
- 40 g porridge oats
- 200 ml milk
Instructions
- Add the milk and porridge oats into a microwaveable bowl
- Put in the microwave on high for 2 mins.
- Stir and cook for 30 more seconds
- Repeat stirring and cooking for thirty seconds at a time until it reaches the right consistency
Notes
If you do not have milk you can use water or a mix of half milk and half water
Making porridge in the slow cooker
If you have a large family and are short of time in the morning you can utilise the slow cooker to make porridge. It may develop a crust overnight but you can stir this into the porridge in the morning to break it up.
Making porridge in the slow cooker
Ingredients
- 340 g porridge oats
- 1 l milk
Instructions
- Put the oats and milk in the slow cooker
- Cook on low for seven to eight hours overnight
- In the morning stir up the porridge to mix in any crust that forms
Overnight oats
Overnight oats are porridge oats and milk that have been soaked overnight in the fridge. The oats absorb the liquid and in the morning you get a smooth creamy porridge. You can then add extra toppings.
Instead of milk, you can use yoghurt, coconut or almond milk. It is worth experimenting with different flavours. Overnight oats are the perfect breakfast for a warm day and they are cold.
Simple overnight oats
If you are in a rush in the morning these overnight oats are perfect. Prepare at night for a delicious breakfast that is ready in the morning
Ingredients
- 50 g oats
- 120 ml milk
Instructions
- Put the oats into a bowl
- Add the milk
- Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge overnight
- In the morning remove from fridge and add your favourite topping
Notes
This recipe is for one person, to serve more just increase the amounts of oats and milk and divide it up in the morning.
Porridge recipes and topping ideas
Now you know how to make porridge here are some ideas for toppings which will make your breakfast extra special.
Raspberry and banana overnight oats
Every year I have a glut of raspberries in the garden and am always looking for ways to use them. This raspberry and banana overnight oats recipe is simple to make and brings a burst of sunshine to your morning. Frozen raspberries work as well as fresh.
Get the recipe: Raspberry and banana overnight oats
Banoffee porridge
Bananas are always a popular topping for porridge. Why not take it to the next level with a banoffee topping. Use sliced bananas, crushed hazelnuts and golden syrup for a porridge the family will love.
Good morning sunshine peach porridge
Bring a touch of sunshine to your morning with this peach porridge. Top the porridget with tinned or fresh sliced peaches. Add a drizzle of golden syrup and some flaked almonds for a tasty start to the day.
Raspberry Porridge
Raspberries are a common theme in my cooking and this porridge recipe uses raspberries to flavour the porridge. Just add 100g raspberries to porridge while you cook it. The raspberries will turn the porridge red and add flavour. Top with brown sugar, almonds and raspberries
Tropical porridge
Bring a taste of the tropics to your morning with this tropical porridge. Top with dried apricots, pineapple and kiwi fruit with a drizzle of linseed with crushed pumpkin seed and goja berries. You can buy linseed with other flavourings in supermarkets so you can vary this as you wish.
Blueberry strusel porridge
This blueberry strusel porridge takes a little more effort but it is worth it. The crunch strusel topping adds another dimension to your oats. Blueberries give the porridge a stunning blue colour and a sweet taste.
Blueberry streusel porridge
A delicious porridge cooked with blueberries and with a crunchy streusel topping
Ingredients
Porridge
- 50 g porridge oats
- 350 ml milk
- 100 g blueberries
Streusel topping
- 1 tbsp porridge oats
- ½ tbsp plain flour
- ½ tbsp sugar
- ½ tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
To make the porridge
- Add porridge, milk and blueberries to a pan
- Bring to the boil stirring all the time
- Simmer for ten minutes until the porridge is thick and creamy
To make the struesel topping
- Preheat the oven to 180C
- Put the ingredients into a bowl and rub together
- Place on a baking tray in the oven for five minutes until crunchy
- Add the topping to the porridge along with some bananas and dried apricots
What is your favourite porridge topping? Let me know below.
Other breakfast ideas to try:
Bacon and egg cups
These bacon and egg cups are cooked in muffin trays and are like an all in one English breakfast.
Get the recipe: Bacon and egg cups
Big fans of both porridge and overnight oats here and love experimenting with what fruits and seeds to add. Interestingly I do a different ratio of milk to oats
I think it really depends which oats you use, some need more milk than others
So many delicious looking recipes of porridge. I like both porridge and overnight oats. I never tried to make porridge in the microwave, I should give it a try.
Thank you. I usually just use a pan as its just as quick for the family but if its just you a mircorwave is good
Lots of lovely ideas! The Banoffee porridge sounds scrumptious, and loving the blueberry streusel one too. I’d be happy with any of your suggestions served in the morning.
Thank you, trying to think of ways to make porridge more jazzy, such a great start to the morning