A silky-smooth oatmeal porridge tailored for infants starting solids, this recipe delivers gentle texture, mild flavour, and steady energy. It cooks in minutes, adapts to breast milk, formula, or water, and forms a nourishing base for fruit and vegetable purées as your baby’s palate grows.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Age-appropriate texture. Finely ground oats cook down to a velvety consistency that is easy for infants to swallow.
Nutrient-dense. Oats supply slow-release carbohydrates, iron, and B-vitamins essential for early growth.
Allergen-friendly. Naturally gluten-free (if certified) and dairy-free when made with water or plant-based formula.
Customisable. Accepts fruit, vegetable, or spice add-ins as your baby advances in taste exploration.
Fast and economical. Ready in about 10 minutes with everyday pantry ingredients.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

¼ cup (25 g) finely ground rolled oats (labelled “baby oats” or blitzed in a food processor)
1 cup (240 ml) water, breast milk, or prepared infant formula
Optional flavour enhancers (introduce singly):
- 1 tablespoon mashed banana
- 2 tablespoons smooth apple or pear purée
- Pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for babies ≥ 6 months)

directions

Grind (if needed). If using regular rolled oats, pulse them in a blender to a flour-like powder.
Combine. In a small saucepan, whisk the ground oats with the liquid to disperse any lumps.
Cook. Set over medium-low heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles gently, about 5 – 7 minutes. Thin with additional warm liquid to reach the desired consistency.
Cool. Remove from heat and let stand 2 minutes; porridge will thicken further as it cools.
Serve. Check temperature (it should be lukewarm), then spoon into a baby bowl. Stir in a chosen fruit purée or pinch of spice if desired.

Servings and timing

Yield: Approximately 2 baby servings (about ½ cup cooked porridge in total).
Active prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 7 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Variations

Iron boost. Replace half the liquid with iron-fortified formula to elevate total iron content.
Whole-grain mix. Swap 1 tablespoon of oats for ground millet or quinoa to diversify nutrients.
Dairy transition (≥ 9 months). Prepare with whole cow’s milk for additional fat and calcium, pending paediatric guidance.
Texture progression. Reduce grinding time or use quick oats to introduce a slightly coarser mouthfeel as chewing skills develop.

storage/reheating

Refrigeration: Transfer leftovers to a sterile, airtight container; store up to 48 hours at ≤ 4 °C.
Freezing: Portion into ice-cube trays, freeze until solid, then move cubes to a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
Reheating: Warm gently in a small saucepan or microwave using 50 % power, adding extra liquid and stirring until smooth. Discard any reheated portion that has already been in contact with your baby’s spoon.

FAQs

How soon can I introduce oatmeal to my baby?

Most paediatricians approve iron-fortified single-grain cereals like oatmeal from 4–6 months, once your baby shows developmental readiness for solids.

Do I have to use baby oats?

Baby oats ensure a silky texture, but finely processing standard rolled oats achieves the same result at lower cost.

Can I sweeten the porridge?

Avoid added sugars for infants under 12 months; rely on natural sweetness from fruit purées instead.

What liquid is best?

Breast milk and prepared formula keep the flavour familiar and add nutrition; cooled boiled water works when milk is unavailable.

How thin should the porridge be?

Early stages resemble pourable cream. Thicken gradually as your baby masters tongue and jaw control.

Is oatmeal safe for babies with gluten sensitivity?

Pure oats are gluten-free, but cross-contamination is common; choose certified gluten-free oats if there is a coeliac concern.

Can I meal-prep a big batch?

Yes—freeze single-serving cubes and thaw overnight in the refrigerator for convenient meals.

Why does reheated oatmeal seem gummy?

Starches continue to absorb liquid when chilled. Simply loosen with warm milk or water and whisk to restore creaminess.

Should I add salt or butter?

Infants’ kidneys are not ready for added sodium, and extra fat is unnecessary when using breast milk or whole-milk formula.

What signs show my baby is ready to progress to chunkier textures?

Consistent ability to move purée from front to back of the mouth, minimal tongue-thrust reflex, and interest in self-feeding signal readiness for thicker porridge.

Conclusion

Oatmeal baby porridge offers a nutritious, adaptable starting point on your child’s solid-food journey. Its simple preparation, gentle flavour, and compatibility with a range of healthy add-ins make it an enduring staple from the first spoonful through the toddler years