How to make porridge
Learn how to make porridge using our foolproof recipe, then experiment with some tasty toppings. Try coconut and dried fruit, decadent chocolate and nut or simple berry and banana.
Ingredients
For the chocolate and nut porridge
- 1 heaped tsp cocoa powder
- caster sugar, to taste
- handful chopped nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans
- 1 tsp grated dark chocolate
For the berry and banana porridge
- ½ banana, sliced
- handful berries, such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
- ½ tsp runny honey (optional)
For the coconut and dried fruit porridge
- 2 tsp dried cranberries
- 2 tsp chopped dried apricots
- 1 tsp coconut flakes or desiccated coconut
Method
Tip the oats into a small saucepan with the milk and 100ml/3½fl oz water. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2–5 minutes, until thick and creamy, stirring regularly to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
If you're making the chocolate and nut porridge, stir the cocoa and sugar (if using) into the porridge as soon as it’s cooked.
Remove from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to stand for 3–5 minutes. Add your desired toppings and serve.
Recipe Tips
To make the porridge vegan, replace the milk with a milk alternative, such as oat, almond or coconut milk.
To make the porridge gluten-free, use gluten-free oats.
Porridge topping options are endless. Try adding grated apple or pear, cinnamon, sultanas, a dollop of Greek yoghurt, fruit compôte, nut butter or syrup.
Oats vary wildly in their cooking time, and the quantity of liquid used to cook them. This recipe uses porridge oats and not quick cook porridge.