Oatmeal Porridge

Oatmeal porridge is a classic breakfast dish that is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. I’ve been making oatmeal for years and here is my favorite (easy) way to make it.

This is one of those recipes I have from my mom. It’s easy, plain, and the oatmeal is done in under 10 minutes. The beauty of this recipe is that it is very basic and plain and you can enhance and change up the flavor as much as you like.

With these detailed instructions and tips in mind, you’ll be able to cook perfect oatmeal every time. Start your mornings right with a warm and comforting bowl of oatmeal that will keep you energized throughout the day.

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Ingredients for Making Oatmeal Porridge

Oats – Rolled oats or quick oats.

Water – or milk. I prefer to use water, which gives you a plain oatmeal base to which you can add other flavors. I usually add a splash of milk or cream at the end.

Salt – absolutely necessary for giving the porridge flavor.

Milk/Cream – Makes the porridge creamier and adds a mild sweetness to it.

Toppings – anything from fruit to sugar, to syrup to spice up your bowl of oatmeal porridge.

Which Oatmeal should I use?

This recipe requires the use of rolled oats. Here in Germany, we have two versions of it sold – a very fine and a coarse version. I prefer to use the coarse version as it is less processed, though it does take a bit longer to cook. In the US, the comparable oats would be the rolled oats, while the quick oats would be like the fine oats here.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing Oatmeal

Measure out the oats and place them into a small bowl. Use a bigger one, of course, if cooking for a crowd.

Add 1 cup of water to a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil. Add the salt and let it dissolve.

With the water still boiling, add the oats and reduce the heat while mixing the oats.

Keep stirring the oats as they cook for about 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan with a lid and let the cooked oats stand and rest for about 5 minutes. This will allow the oatmeal to thicken slightly and absorb all the water without becoming overcooked.

After resting, the oatmeal should have no water left. If there is still water in the saucepan, allow the oatmeal to rest for a couple more minutes. Then, add 1/4 cup of milk or half-and-half to the oatmeal and stir.

Adding the milk or cream at the end is optional and can be omitted if you can’t have milk or don’t like it. As an alternative you can add a plant-based milk such as almond milk or coconut milk. Yogurt is also another good option to use in this step.

Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Toppings for Oatmeal

Fruit – my absolute favorite fruit to serve on oatmeal is fresh strawberries (chopped). They work so well with the mixture of oatmeal and milk/cream. Other good fruit options are blueberries, chopped mangoes, raspberries, and bananas. I’m sure other fruit will work here as well.

Cinnamon and Sugar – mix a bit of cinnamon and sugar together in a small jar and sprinkle over the oatmeal.

Yogurt – as mentioned above, add tablespoon or two of yogurt to the porridge and mix well.

Tips and Tricks

• Water is a great liquid to use when you need a good plain oatmeal base. However, experiment with different cooking liquids such as milk, almond milk or coconut milk for a variety of flavors and textures.
• For extra creamy oatmeal, stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a splash of heavy cream at the end of cooking.
• To add more nutrition, consider incorporating chia seeds or flaxseeds into your oatmeal during cooking.
• If you prefer overnight oats, you can mix the oats with liquid and let them soak in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, your breakfast is ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Lastly, if you make this Oatmeal Porridge, make sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating here! I’d love to hear back from you and will do my best to answer and respond to every comment. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe. I’d love to see the photos of the recipes you have made!