Simple and creamy, this oat pudding is a comforting bowl of goodness that can be customized with your favorite toppings. It's easy to make and the perfect healthy breakfast to share with kids.
Oat Pudding
A warm bowl of oatmeal is truly a breakfast superstar that's both hearty and downright delicious. We enjoy some variation of this baby oatmeal on most mornings.
Now, if you are looking to shake up your oatmeal game, you totally need to try this banana overnight oats or this oat pudding!
It's like oatmeal's fancy cousin - oats luxuriously cooked until they reach a velvety, pudding-like consistency.
It's like dessert for breakfast or breakfast for dessert. Sweeten it up with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, toss in some fresh fruit for texture, add a drizzle of peanut butter or nut butter...unleash your creativity!
This oatmeal pudding truly is the breakfast equivalent of a cozy hug, wrapping you in a blanket of nourishment and delight!
Looking for more? Here's the ultimate collection of make ahead breakfasts for babies and kids.
Egg-free? No problem! Here are some easy breakfast ideas without eggs!
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Ingredients
- Oats - Rolled oats will work best.
- Milk - I recommend whole milk as the extra fat will result in a creamier pudding. Not to mention babies and toddlers need it for optimal brain development. But you can also use your favorite plant-based milk, if dairy-free. Here's the ultimate guide to milk for toddlers.
- Ripe banana - this is optional but it will add natural sweetness, creaminess, and boost nutrition.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the oats and milk and bring to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes. The oats should be soft and have absorbed most of the milk.
- Optional - add mashed banana. You can also add cinnamon and additional sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or date syrup.
- Cool slightly and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve the oat pudding warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Once you've cooked the oats, then comes the fun part!
Invite more fun and variety simply by rotating through these toppings:
- Fresh fruit (e.g. banana slices, fresh berries, mango)
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds
- Peanut butter, almond butter, or any nut butter of choice
- Sunflower seed butter
- Granola (try this no added sugar granola)
- Flavored yogurt - like this strawberry yogurt, vanilla yogurt, blueberry yogurt, or mango yogurt
- Cereal for extra crunch
- Chocolate chips
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Coconut flakes
- Yogurt melts - The texture is similar to freeze-dried fruit and made with real fruit, beets or carrots, and yogurt. Use the code MIN5 for $5 off your order.
- Pure maple syrup or honey
Storing Oatmeal Pudding
Transfer leftovers into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. I recommend cooking a bigger batch if serving to multiple people. Enjoy throughout the week with different toppings for variety.
To reheat, microwave briefly with a splash of milk to loosen up the pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can! You will need to increase the cooking time to 20-30 minutes, or until the oats are soft, creamy, and have absorbed most of the liquid. Here's the ultimate guide to cooking steel cut oats.
Oat pudding is typically made with milk and has a thicker and creamier consistency compared to oatmeal. The oats are cooked for a longer time, allowing them to absorb more liquid and become softer. This results in a pudding-like texture.
There are so many great non-dairy milks to choose from. Almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, oat milk, or full fat canned coconut milk will work well!
More Oat Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Easy Oat Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats or steel cut oats
- 2 cups whole milk or dairy-free milk of choice
- a pinch of salt
Optional
- ½ cup mashed banana
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine oats, milk, a pinch of salt, and sweetener and vanilla (if using).
- Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Stir occasionally to ensure the oats cook evenly and don't clump together.
- Cook the oats until they are soft and have absorbed most of the liquid. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of oats used. Rolled oats generally take around 10-15 minutes, while steel-cut oats may take 20-30 minutes.
- Once the oats have reached a creamy consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the pudding cool slightly.
- If desired, stir in mashed banana. Add any optional toppings like fresh fruits, nuts, cinnamon, or shredded coconut.
- Serve the oat pudding warm or chilled, according to your preference.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Breakfast is my favorite meal especially if oats are involved 🙂 This looks incredible Min! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe, pinning 🙂 I am drooling over those clusters - they sound amazing!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
What a brilliant and beautiful breakfast! I have got to make this ASAP! Thanks for sharing! OXOX
Min says
Thanks, Gwen! I can't wait for you to try this ;). Hope you're having a blessed Sunday!
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
Just adore all that's going on with this oat pudding (so fun to call it oat pudding 🙂 See, now you DO have a pudding/custard recipe on your blog (he he)
Min says
Thanks, Deanna! I told you I was determined to come up with a pudding recipe soon ;).
ellie @ fit for the soul says
How delicious....I'm either really hungry at an inopportune hour or your photos are too enticing! Maybe both?! I also love arroz con leche since I grew up eating it in Argentina. It is so amazing, yet so so unhealthy! So I haven't had any since it's hard to find good arroz con leche that makes eating it worthwhile. I love this recipe, and spicy nut clusters sound amaaaazeballs! Ew, did I just 'amazeballs'? Hate that word! 😛
Min says
Haha thanks! Yea Tim goes CRAZY over arroz con leche..I tell him to practice portion control. Then he tells me I'm a party popper. Yes, this is def much healthier, and Tim actually loved this so score!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
im not much of a breakfast person, but i definitely will be recreting this oats recipe! looks delicious!
Min says
Thank you, Thalia! I can't wait to see what you come up with ;).
Diane says
I love the combinations; cinnamon, nuts and a little heat. I'm pinning and I will try for sure!!!
Min says
Thank you, Diane! I seriously can't wait to make your bars with ricotta filling!!
Anne says
I wonder about this as an energy bar!
Min says
Hehe you and the energy bars ;). Yup! You're correct. I actually turned it into a bar, and I have a feeling you (and your brother) will appreciate it! Will share the recipe soon!!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
This sounds like a great way to start the day - and those spicy nut clusters might find there way into other parts of my day too!
Min says
Oh yes! I turned this into a nut bar, similar to the Kind bars, and it was fabulous. I will share the recipe soon ;).