In the café around the corner, on your Instagram feed or in your work colleague’s thermos cup: Porridge has become an indispensable part of the healthy breakfast routine.

1. What is porridge actually?
2. What does porridge taste like?
3. Benefits of Porridge
4. How do you make porridge?
5. Which oat flakes are suitable for porridge
6. How many calories does porridge have
7. Is porridge healthy?

When you think of porridge, do you think of watery oatmeal? Nonsense. With a little imagination and some tasty toppings, you can conjure up a quick, nutritious and delicious breakfast in no time at all.

What is porridge actually?

Porridge is a warm porridge made from grains that is cooked in water or milk. The classic recipe is oat flakes. OK, admittedly, porridge made from oat flakes and liquid doesn’t sound particularly sexy at first – and it isn’t.

However, it depends on how the porridge is seasoned, sweetened and refined. There are no limits to your imagination: whether with cinnamon, vanilla, turmeric, maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut blossom sugar, fresh fruit, fruit compote or superfoods – porridge is what you make of it.

But the breakfast dish doesn’t always have to be sweet. Even as a savory version with vegetables and herbs, porridge is a simple last-minute recipe idea at any time of day.

What is porridge made of?

Oat flakes are traditionally used for the preparation, but you can also make the breakfast porridge from spelt flakes or other cereal flakes. If you eat gluten-free, pseudo-cereals such as millet, quinoa or amaranth are a good and equally nutrient-rich base for your porridge.

You can use a plant-based drink of your choice as a liquid. Alternatively, you can use water or a mixture. The greater the proportion of oat, almond or soy drink, the creamier your breakfast will be.

When choosing toppings, you can let your imagination run wild. How about exceptionally bright blue coconut flakes, pretty rose petals with cocoa nibs or a crunchy seed mix with high-quality omega-3 fatty acids? In our online shop you can find these and other exceptional Buy toppings!

Alternatively, you can simply go for classic add-ons and combine your breakfast with crunchy granola, sweet fruits or nutrient-rich superfoods.

You can find porridge ingredients in every supermarket. Make sure you buy organic food. When choosing your plant-based drink, look out for added sugar – you can safely do without it.

Porridge vs. Overnight Oats

Porridge and Overnight Oats Recipes are very similar at first glance – at least in terms of the ingredients. However, the two breakfast dishes differ in the way they are prepared and the temperature at which breakfast is enjoyed. While porridge is cooked in a pot and eaten as a warm porridge, overnight oats are soaked for a few hours (usually overnight), refrigerated and then eaten cold or at room temperature.

What is oatmeal?

Like porridge, oatmeal refers to a porridge made from oat flakes or oat flour that is prepared with milk or water. While the English term porridge prevails in Germany, the oat meal is called oatmeal in the USA .

Where does porridge come from?

Porridge has its origins in Scotland. The cold, wet climate typical of the Highlands offers the ideal conditions for oats, the main ingredient in porridge. Farmers and shepherds knew early on about the benefits of today’s superfood: the oat flakes cooked in milk or water keep you full for a long time and provide energy for strenuous days in the fields.

But warm cereal porridge is not only appreciated for breakfast in Scotland. You can find porridge variations in many cultures around the world:

• Congee : This Asian rice porridge is served with spicy toppings, sauces or side dishes and can be prepared very quickly using leftovers from the day before.
• Upma : The spicy semolina porridge is enjoyed in India and Sri Lanka for both breakfast and dinner.
• Motogo : In South Africa, corn flour is mixed with water and refined with milk or fruit.

What does porridge taste like?

The taste of porridge is very varied and depends a lot on the ingredients you use to prepare it. If you cook your cereal porridge with water, it will taste milder than if you use oat milk. Without toppings and spices, however, porridge tastes rather boring overall.

The taste nuances for your perfect breakfast experience are in your hands. We have a few suggestions for you:

• Do you want to have a chocolatey treat today? Then you can use cocoa powder, a Chocolate cream without refined sugar or even a piece of chocolate.
• Do you want it sweet and fruity? Fresh or frozen berries are always a good choice to enhance your porridge.
• Do you need a sweet distraction from cold winter days? Porridge with raisins, cinnamon and baked apples or pears conjure up cozy warmth in your breakfast bowl.
• Are you in the mood for sweet almonds or fruity coconut? Nuts and nut butters are not only delicious, they also provide plenty of creaminess and healthy fats for your breakfast.
• Are you looking for an unusual combination of sweet fruits and aromatic spices today? Then mix turmeric, a pinch of ginger and, if you are particularly brave, a pinch of pepper into your Apple Cinnamon Porridge.

Benefits of Porridge

Porridge is not only delicious, but also a filling and healthy breakfast option. Oats contain many vitamins, minerals and fiber that keep blood sugar levels stable, keep you full for a long time and prevent cravings. In addition to positive effects on your body, porridge has other benefits to offer:

1. Easy preparation: Short cooking time and only one pot – that sounds like the ideal breakfast!
2. Few ingredients: For the classic version you need nothing but oatmeal, milk or water and a pinch of salt.
3. Availability: The few products you need for your porridge can be found in many corners of the world. If you swear by porridge as the perfect breakfast, you will also find it when you travel.
4. Also to take away: Prepare your porridge the evening before and your delicious vegan breakfast to go is ready to hand in the fridge.
5. Varied: You can prepare porridge in many different ways. Choose other types of grains instead of oatmeal, use seasonal fruit and aromatic spices or cook your way through the many porridge recipes that you can find online.
6. Versatile: Porridge does not always have to be spooned out of a bowl. You can also use the flake mixture to create other breakfast delicacies. How about this recipe for fluffy porridge pancakes?
7. Cheap: Admittedly, the toppings for your porridge with vanilla, goji berries or peeled hemp seeds can sometimes blow the student budget. However, if you stick to the basic ingredients and use seasonal fruit and a little cinnamon, porridge is a delicious and inexpensive breakfast.

How do you make porridge?

The oat meal is prepared in no time. Our simple basic recipe forms the basis for many vegan porridge variations. Spices and toppings in particular make the different Porridge Recipes so varied. Depending on how hungry you are, you can adjust the amount of oatmeal. However, make sure to adjust the amount of water or plant-based drink as well, so that your breakfast remains enjoyable and does not become runny or too solid.

Porridge basic recipe

You need these ingredients for one portion:

• 50 grams of oat flakes
• 250 ml liquid (water, plant drink or a mixture thereof)
• pinch of salt

preparation

Bring the oat flakes and liquid to the boil in a small saucepan and simmer for a few minutes while stirring. Season to taste with a pinch of salt.

Porridge Toppings

This porridge recipe sounds boring? It is. Because only with fresh or dried fruit, nuts and nut butter, seeds and kernels or crunchy granola does the porridge become a delicious power breakfast. If you are not ready for exciting creations early in the morning, our classic Bowl Toppings If you have a little more time and inclination, our7 porridge toppings that taste like sweet dessert just right.

How much milk do I need for my porridge?

Use our basic recipe as a guide for the quantities. You can vary the amount of liquid depending on the desired consistency. If you like your porridge particularly creamy, let it simmer a little longer in more milk. If you need something to bite into to start the day, you can also use less liquid and whole grain oat flakes.

How long should you cook porridge?

The perfect cooking time depends on the desired consistency and the grain used. Porridge made from oatmeal usually only needs to be simmered for around five minutes. If you use quinoa, amaranth or buckwheat, however, the cooking time is around 25 minutes. Too long? Frozen porridge You can simply heat it up in the microwave or in a pot in just four minutes and enjoy it straight away. Spices, seeds and fruit are already included!

Tip : Porridge is originally prepared with a so-called spurtle . This wooden stirring rod does not leave scratches in coated pans or pots. The flat surface also means that the oat flakes are less likely to stick and form lumps than with a normal wooden spoon.

Why salt in porridge recipe?

Similar to the dough for sweet desserts, a pinch of salt is a must in porridge. This ensures that the taste experience is intensified and highlights individual nuances more clearly.

Which oat flakes are suitable for porridge

Have you ever been overwhelmed by looking at the cereal and flakes shelf in the supermarket? No wonder, as there are now many other cereal flakes available in addition to the classic oat flakes in all their forms. Depending on the desired consistency and preparation time, you can use different types of oat flakes for your porridge. These are made from the oat grain and then processed.

• Whole grain oat flakes absorb liquid less quickly and make the porridge firmer.
• Delicate oat flakes absorb liquid quickly and make the porridge particularly creamy.
• Instant oats , also known as melt-in-the-mouth oats , are perfect for a particularly quick breakfast porridge.
• Oat bran is particularly rich in fiber and makes for a very fine porridge.

Is porridge healthy?

Porridge is not only delicious and keeps you full for a long time, but it has a lot more to offer. The fiber in the oat flakes serves as food for the health-promoting bacteria in the large intestine and is important for good digestion. A high fiber content in foods also keeps you full for a long time and has a balancing effect on blood sugar levels. Beta-glucan in particular ensures healthy intestinal flora and prevents cravings.

Oatmeal is also the perfect base for your vegan protein breakfast In addition to protein and the B vitamin thiamine, your body is also supplied with minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and zinc as well as trace elements such as iron, copper and selenium. Whether Porridge healthyor a sugar trap depends on the products you stir into or spread on your breakfast porridge.

Tip: Ready-made porridge from the supermarket or café is often made with sugary fruit purees, cereal crispies or chocolate spreads. If you want to eat healthily or even lose weight, look for a clean ingredient list or ask for a modified option with fresh fruit and whole nuts.

Is porridge gluten-free?

Oats and the flakes made from them are gluten-free per se. However, both during cultivation and processing, oats can come into contact with grains that contain gluten. If you want or need to play it safe, choose oat flakes that are labeled as gluten-free or use gluten-free pseudo-grains such as millet, buckwheat, quinoa or amaranth.

How many calories does porridge have

Porridge made from oat flakes has become an indispensable part of a healthy diet. The breakfast porridge is also recommended for losing weight. Porridge keeps you full for a long time and – depending on how it is prepared – is relatively low in calories. Porridge nutritional values ​​and calories but always depend on what else ends up in your bowl apart from the oatmeal and liquid.

A portion of porridge contains around 300 to 500 calories, depending on the ingredients and preparation. We want to show you an example and use our basic recipe with 250 ml of oat milk for the calculation. The porridge is refined with an apple. As a topping, we use a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds and a teaspoon of almond butter.

As you can see, the little toppings make up a comparatively large proportion of the calories, but they also add important nutrients and flavor to your breakfast. So you should definitely not do without them, just enjoy them in moderation.