A bowl of comforting porridge is the perfect way to start your day. Healthy and nutritious, it can be served in so many ways, whether you like it sweet or savory, or made with oats, rice or quinoa. Read on for our tips and inspiration to make your breakfast something you’ll want to spring out of bed for.
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Classic, simple porridge
Porridge at its simplest is just oats with milk or water. For perfect results, mix 60g (2.5oz) of oats with 300ml (0.5 pint) milk or water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for three to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft and creamy. Add a pinch of salt or sugar to taste, or try it with a drizzle of golden or maple syrup, or honey instead. Then just add your favorite toppings…
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Blueberry, almond and honey
Porridge is high in a fiber called beta-glucan, which reduces cholesterol. It’s also low GI, so it keeps you fuller for longer. A real instant favorite is porridge oats topped with blueberries and almonds, with a drizzle of honey. The nuts add protein and crunch, plus you have the sweetness from the honey and a dose of vitamin C from the blueberries. You can easily use frozen blueberries too – just leave them in the fridge overnight to thaw.
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Chocolate and banana porridge
Here’s a great idea to get picky kids (and adults) to eat porridge. Add a heaped tablespoon of cocoa powder to the milk and oats before cooking, then top with sliced banana and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Remember you can use any milk, including plant-based milks, for your porridge.
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Summer berry crumble
Try making a compote from frozen mixed berries by cooking them gently with a splash of water until softened. It’s an easy way to boost your vitamin intake and you can also sprinkle with your favorite granola for extra crunch. Sliced bananas add potassium too.
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Caramelized pear and toasted nuts
Caramelized pears and toasted nuts turn plain porridge into an indulgent breakfast. You’ll need to brown peeled and cored pears in a pan with equal quantities of butter and sugar for three minutes on each side. Alternatively, poach them in apple juice until tender. Serve on top of oat or rice porridge and finish with a sprinkling of toasted walnuts or almonds.
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Raspberry and peanut butter with chia
Chia seeds are a little nutritional powerhouse, full of fiber and minerals, and when soaked overnight in water, they become a bit like tapioca in consistency. Stir some into your oats at the end of cooking, then add a spoonful of crunchy peanut butter and top with fresh raspberries. Spoon over any extra chia seeds to serve.
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Chocolate, cherry and hazelnut
Get your chocolate fix at breakfast time with a creamy millet porridge made with whole milk and covered in grated dark chocolate, almond slices, toasted hazelnuts and fresh (or frozen) cherries. One for a little weekend indulgence, perhaps…
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Banana, cinnamon and dates
Spice is a great way to kick your porridge up another notch. For sweet toppings, cinnamon or nutmeg work particularly well. Add some dried fruit – chopped dates are a winner – with some brown sugar and sliced bananas for an easy and speedy win.
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Millet porridge
Millet is a nutty grain and has a texture similar to couscous, but it also makes for a really good porridge if you want a change from oats. For a finer texture, blitz it for a minute or two in a food processor, then toast it in butter to bring out its nutty flavor and add milk. You’ll need three times the volume of milk to millet. Bring it to the boil then simmer, stirring regularly, for about 20 minutes. Serve with dried fruits.
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Bacon, mushroom and zucchini
If you love a savory breakfast, try topping your porridge with grilled smoked bacon rashers, sautéed mushrooms and zucchini. Scatter over some chopped scallions or chives too. To be super-indulgent, you could stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese once your oats are cooked.
Take a look at these unusual food combos that really work
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Raspberry and coconut
For a tasty dairy-free, vegan porridge, cook frozen raspberries until soft with a little coconut sugar or honey. Mash to a purée. Cook oats with coconut milk, stir in the purée, then top with more raspberries and flakes of coconut.
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Chicken and egg congee
Congee is a savory rice porridge and a fantastic dish to start the day because it’s filling, but not too heavy. Simmer cooked white rice in chicken stock with a dash of fish sauce, grated ginger and diced fresh chili. For an extra umami boost, stir in a spoonful of miso paste. Top with a fried egg, chopped herbs, scallions and fresh chili.
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Kiwi and lime
Kiwi fruit and limes are both high in vitamin C. Try cooking your oats with nut milk for extra flavor, adding the zest and juice of a lime at the end. Scatter over plenty of chopped kiwi for a zesty, zingy taste.
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Coconut, figs and fruit
Try this vegan oat porridge made with coconut milk and sweetened with honey for a filling, protein and vitamin-packed breakfast. Top with fresh or dried figs, dried fruits such as apricot and cranberries, some blueberries and nuts for added crunch.
Take a look at our best quick and easy vegan recipes
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Cacao nibs and flaxseed
Adding a big spoonful of thick cream or crème fraîche to your cooked oat porridge makes it more creamy and indulgent. Top with flaxseeds (soak in warm water for 10 minutes first) then top with antioxidant-rich cacao nibs for a chocolate boost and crunchy texture. Add any red berries of your choice, such as redcurrants or raspberries.
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Curried porridge with chili and spice
If you are a spice lover and enjoy a savory start to the day, try this porridge made with oats, curry powder and vegetable broth. Top with toasted chilies, toasted mustard seeds and fried curry leaves, as well as a dollop of plain yogurt for added zing.
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Classic Bircher muesli
Bircher muesli is not the ready-prepared cereal you buy in a packet. It’s actually made by soaking oats overnight in apple juice (meaning it’s also known as “overnight oats”), so you get a tasty, cold porridge perfect for busy mornings. For one serving, soak 25g (1oz) oats with six tablespoons of apple juice and add some dried fruit if you wish. To serve, add thick yogurt, grated apple or pear, and some chopped nuts for a great start to the day.
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Bircher with berries
Another great thing about Bircher muesli is that, since it’s cold, it’s easily portable for a breakfast on the go. Just pop it into a container topped with fresh berries, or opt for frozen if your chosen fruits are out of season. Top your porridge with plenty of nuts and seeds too, and you’ll feel full until lunch.
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Almond, banana and chocolate syrup
Here’s a speedy topping for those with a sweet tooth. Almonds add a welcome crunch, and bananas and a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup give sweetness. Any leftover? Whiz up with extra milk for a filling smoothie.
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Scandinavian rice porridge
On a freezing winter’s day, you can see why the Scandinavians love comforting rice porridge. It’s made with a starchy short grain rice, such as pudding rice, and whole milk for creaminess. You could stir in extra thick cream, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
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Peach, pine nut and nutmeg
When fresh peaches are in season, they can really liven up a bowl of porridge. Cook a few peaches and make a purée to stir through the porridge, then add diced peach on top. Some toasted pine nuts add texture, and a grating of nutmeg adds a hint of warm spice.
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Avocado and egg
Our love affair with the avocado isn’t going to end anytime soon, and it makes a great, healthy, savory topping for porridge. Add a pinch of salt to your cooked porridge, top with sliced avocado and a fried or poached egg. With fiber, protein from the egg and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, this is a real powerhouse breakfast to keep you full for ages.
Discover more excellent eggs recipes
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Healthy chocolate hazelnut
Here’s a new favorite to add to the list! Cook oats in hazelnut milk with one to two tablespoons of cacao nibs per serving. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup. You could also use cocoa powder but it doesn’t have the antioxidant boost of cacao.
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Pumpkin and spice
A great breakfast for a fall morning when pumpkins are in season. It’s the sweet earthiness of the pumpkin which works so well with porridge. Purée cooked pumpkin with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir into the porridge with a pinch of salt. Top with pumpkin pieces, chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
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Egg, mushroom and spinach
For a savory porridge perfect for a weekend brunch, sauté sliced mushrooms in garlic with plenty of seasoning. Pile on top of a savory porridge, then add a fried egg and fresh spinach. You could also add thawed chopped spinach into the porridge towards the end of cooking. Add a pinch of dried chili flakes to serve.
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Bacon and egg porridge
Breakfast classics fried eggs and bacon also make a great topping for savory porridge. Because porridge has a soft, smooth texture, you may want to add crunch, so crisp, streaky smoked bacon works a treat. Add a poached or fried egg, and some fried tomatoes too, if you like. Season well with salt and pepper.
Take a look at these surprisingly brilliant bacon recipes
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Rye, oats, fruit and seeds
Adding a handful of rye flakes to oats really ups your fiber, vitamin and mineral intake. It adds a nutty, malty flavor to your porridge. Add any sweetener of your choice, though maple syrup will work particularly well. Try topping it with blueberries or raspberries, and chia, sunflower or pumpkin seeds to add crunch.
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Turmeric and blueberries
Try adding a teaspoon of turmeric to milk before cooking your oats for a hint of spice. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and gives a great color. Top with fresh blueberries, puffed amaranth seeds or toasted seeds of your choice.
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Banana, walnuts and chia seed
Jumbo oats are chunkier than porridge oats, so if you want a bit more texture, give them a try. You can also add in a handful of quinoa too. This porridge is topped with soaked chia seeds, sliced banana and chopped walnuts. A spoonful of honey is drizzled over before serving. If chia seeds aren’t your thing, add toasted pumpkin seeds.
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Red and black quinoa porridge
Quinoa, like oats, is a great source of fiber, but it’s also high in protein, which will also keep you fuller for longer. Our recipe combines red and black quinoa with oats, served with a big spoonful of Greek yogurt then topped with thawed, frozen raspberries and their juice.
Get the recipe for red and black quinoa porridge here
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Breakfast quinoa
You can also make your porridge with 100% quinoa, for a big fiber and protein hit. Add plenty of nuts for crunch and texture, slices of banana or apple, and fresh berries. Use whole milk for extra creaminess and stir in a dollop of thick yogurt before serving.
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Granola and berries
Because porridge on its own lacks texture, you may prefer it with extra crunch. Try adding your favorite granola mix (or try our recipe below) on top with berries, apple slices, chopped nuts, desiccated coconut and cacao nibs.
Get the recipe for granola here
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Cherry compote and sesame
Here’s a color burst to brighten your breakfast. Add a swirl of cherry compote to cooked porridge, followed by a drizzle of black sesame paste – a Japanese ingredient which adds a roasted nutty flavor. Top with cacao nibs, sunflower seeds, cherries and apple slices (or whatever fruits, nuts and seeds you have to hand) to achieve a satisfying balance of textures.
Now check out our top 50 comfort food recipes
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