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    MJ & Hungryman ยป Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes ยป Easy Homemade Baby Oatmeal (4 Ways)

    Easy Homemade Baby Oatmeal (4 Ways)

    By Min On February 1, 2022, Updated April 20, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    four oatmeals shaped into balls and plated on a white plate

    Learn how to cook the perfect oatmeal for baby. It's easy, fast, and loaded with vegetables! Serve as is or as a finger food, baby led weaning style!

    Perhaps you saw "baby oatmeal" and were expecting to see purees or something with a smoother consistency. As a big proponent of starting with table foods, I hope this post encourages you to give these thicker oatmeals a try!

    four oatmeal with vegetables rolled into balls with a baby's hand touching one.
    Jump to:
    • Oatmeal for Babies
    • Different Types of Oatmeal
    • Basic ingredients you'll need
    • How to Cook Oatmeal for babies (2 ways)
    • Cooking oatmeal with breastmilk
    • Tips for success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • 4 Oatmeal Variations to try!
    • Other baby-friendly oat recipes
    • Homemade Baby Oatmeal

    Oatmeal for Babies

    When can babies eat oatmeal?

    This nutritious whole grain can be offered to babies as soon as theyโ€™re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. Itโ€™s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

    If youโ€™re unsure what signs to look for, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

    What are the health benefits?

    Oatmeal is a wonderful first food as it is easy to digest and loaded with so many nutrients that babies need to grow and thrive, including iron, zinc, fiber, and calcium.

    Variety is the name of the game when it comes to increasing food acceptance and minimizing picky eating down the road. And oatmeal is SO versatile! You can mix in eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt, cheese...endless possibilities!

    Also check out: Best First Foods for Babies

    Different Types of Oatmeal

    an infographic showing the differences between steel cut, rolled, and quick oats.

    Head on over to my Instagram @kidfriendly.meals for more infographics like this!

    You don't need to purchase a separate baby oat cereal. They are basically ground oats, which is easy to make at home with the oats you already have on hand.

    You also don't have to start with serving only baby cereal or smooth purees, unless that's what you feel most comfortable doing.

    I just want to reassure you that your baby can handle soft table foods once they are developmentally ready to start solids.

    For these oatmeals, I recommend using either quick cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats. I prefer the latter as theyโ€™re the most versatile and have the perfect texture, not too mushy or firm.

    Basic ingredients you'll need

    Oats - I recommend using either quick cooking (instant oats)or old-fashioned oats (rolled oats). I prefer the latter as theyโ€™re the most versatile and have the perfect texture, not too mushy or firm.

    If using instant oats, here's how you can adjust the cooking time.

    Steel-cut oats are quite chewy in texture so they're best to serve to older babies (10+ months).

    Milk - can use breastmilk, formula, cow's milk, or non-dairy alternatives. I especially love full-fat coconut milk for these oatmeals as it adds incredible flavor.

    Hereโ€™s a super in-depth post covering the best milk for toddlers.

    Chia seeds - here are the health benefits for babies.

    Egg - It not only makes the oatmeal creamy and fluffy, it will also provide your baby with iron and protein! Be sure to whisk it really well before mixing it in with other ingredients. You can leave it out if there's an allergy.

    Optional Toppings/Add-ins

    • Vegetables - feel free to add in whatever you have on hand!
    • Peanut butter or nut/seed butter if there's an allergy
    • Fruits - mashed banana, fruit puree, unsweetened applesauce, etc.

    Spices - Such an easy way to expose your baby to more FLAVOR!!

    How to Cook Oatmeal for babies (2 ways)

    I'm using the sweet potato variation (recipe below) to show how to cook it two ways:

    On the Stove:

    a four image collage showing the cooking process on the stove top.
    a close up shot of what sweet potato oatmeal looks like cooked on the stove.
    1. Heat milk and cook oats over medium heat.
    2. Add oats and cook over medium heat.
    3. Add in whisked egg, stirring vigorously, until light and fluffy.
    4. Add in the extra ingredients (I've included suggestions below but feel free to add whatever you wish! Pictured: sweet potatoes). Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for another 3 minutes or so until fluffy. Thin out with additional liquid as needed.

    Microwave:

    a four image collage showing the cooking process for microwaving.
    a close up shot of what microwaved sweet potato oatmeal looks like.

    If you're like me with little ones who demand all my attention as soon as they wake up, This super easy and quick method is the way to go!

    1. Add all the ingredients.
    2. Give it a good stir.
    3. Microwave for 90 seconds. Stir. Microwave for 30-45 more seconds.
    4. Done!

    Here are some more tips on how to make them perfectly along with four additional recipes to try on top of these veggie-loaded ones.

    Cooking oatmeal with breastmilk

    Heat does affect the quality and nutrient profile of breast milk. Research shows that it can break down various enzymes that aid in digestion and boost the immune system.

    However, breast milk sill provides incredible nutritional value. So if you have extra milk, you can certainly use it to cook with. But if you're able to stir it into food once it's cooked and cooled, it's even better.

    Tips for success

    • Normally, the oatmeal to liquid ratio is 1:2, which you can use if you desire a looser consistency. However, if you want to shape into porridge fingers or balls, I recommend following the recipe as is. You can always add more liquid at the end to achieve desired consistency.
    • For both cooking methods, be sure to whisk the egg prior to adding it in.
    • If cooking on the stove, be sure to mix in the egg VIGOROUSLY. Otherwise it will cook unevenly and you'll end up with scrambled eggs. Not the end of the world, but just something to be aware of.
    • Refrigerating oatmeal for at least 30 minutes will make it easier to shape into fingers or balls.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between homemade oatmeal vs. Store-bought infant cereals?

    Once you try making oatmeal at home, I have a feeling you will never look back. Itโ€™s super simple to make and much cheaper.

    Packaged cereals are oftentimes fortified with iron, which does give them a leg up, but you can easily add toppings to the homemade version, as you see here, to make sure your baby gets that essential nutrient.ย 

    But of course, when weโ€™re sleep deprived and spread so thin, taking shortcuts may just be what the doctor ordered. And thatโ€™s totally fine! Remember to always take care of YOU!

    What is the difference between baby oatmeal vs. rice cereal?

    First, you donโ€™t have to start with rice cereal. And if your pediatrician tells you that you absolutely need to, it is outdated advice.

    Oats are going to be the better choice than rice as they contain a much smaller amount of heavy metals. This is not to say that you shouldn't offer rice to your baby ever, but you want to make sure to incorporate variety and avoid serving it every day.

    Can I make oatmeal with cow's milk?

    While milk shouldn't be given as a drink until around 12 months of age, it is fine to add to recipes. Dairy is one of the top most common allergens, so take caution when introducing it for the very first time.

    How much should my baby eat?

    I never like to provide specific numbers as every baby is different and it's so important to follow their lead. Start with a small amount so that it's not too overwhelming for your baby, and offer more if they seem interested!

    What's the best way to store leftovers?

    Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    When ready to eat, microwave or take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.ย It will firm up so you can stir in water or milk (a great time to add breastmilk/formula) to thin it out a bit.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can absolutely prepare oatmeal for your baby the same way you would for yourself, so don't hold back ;). You just have to be mindful of modifying the size and texture of add-ins according to your child's eating skills.

    6-8 Months old

    If you are starting solids and introducing oatmeal for the very first time. Keep it pretty simple with just a couple of toppings of choice. Leave out the egg until you've tested separately for any allergic reactions as it is one of the top 9 common allergens.

    If youโ€™re desiring a more pudding-like consistency, make oatmeal the way youโ€™d eat it and then simply blend. Voila! Oat porridge.

    Offer a spoon (these are THE best for this age) but chances are your baby will just dive in with their hands and that's ok! Resist the urge to interfere and continuously wipe them. Messy eating is an important part of learning to self-feed.

    Alternatively, you can shape into balls or fingers to make the oatmeal easier to eat.

    Be sure to pair with a source of vitamin C to baby oatmeal to help absorb the iron in oats.

    9+ months old

    Continue offering the spoon without any expectation that your baby will use it. With continuous exposure and opportunities to practice, things will start to click!

    Start experimenting with more toppings and textures. Again, variety is the name of the game!

    4 Oatmeal Variations to try!

    a collage with four images of baby oatmeal variations with vegetables.

    1. Sweet Potato

    You can use any variety of sweet potatoes - jewel, garnet, Japanese sweet potatoes.... My son's favorite food when he was a baby was purple sweet potatoes so they definitely have a special place in my heart. Compared to the orange ones, they are starchier but not as sweet.

    I highly recommend you to give them a try! Isn't the color so gorgeous?! Simply cook and mash with a fork before combining with the rest of the ingredients.

    You can also use butternut squash or pumpkin puree.

    2. Zucchini and bell pepper

    You truly can use whatever vegetables you have on hand for this one! You can add finely chopped cooked or finely grated raw vegetables.

    3. Tahini broccoli

    Broccoli + lemon + tahini. Remember this combination!! SOO good!

    How to cook broccoli PERFECTLY for baby

    4. Beetroot curry

    Beets + spinach + ricotta + curry powder + coconut milk. Yup. It's as good as it sounds!

    How to cook beets

    Other baby-friendly oat recipes

    • Peanut butter banana oatmeal
    • Overnight oats
    • Spinach Baby Pancakes
    • savory baked oatmeal with vegetables
    • 3 ingredient banana cookies
    • Baby Muffins
    • Carrot cake oatmeal smoothie bowl

    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!

    four oatmeals shaped into balls and plated on a white plate

    Homemade Baby Oatmeal

    Learn how to cook the perfect oatmeal for baby. It's easy, fast, and loaded with vegetables! Serve as is or shape into fingers or balls, baby led weaning style!
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Oats

    Ingredients

    Base ingredients

    • ยฝ cup (50g) rolled oats
    • โ…” cups milk of choice (e.g. breastmilk/formula, full-fat coconut milk)
    • 1 medium egg, well whisked (can leave out if there's an allergy)
    • 1 teaspoon chia seeds (or flax or hemp seeds) , optional but highly recommended

    Instructions

    On the stove

    • Heat milk on the stove and once it simmers, pour the oats in. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 5-7 minutes.
    • Add in whisked egg, stirring vigorously, until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes) - see note.
    • Add in the extra ingredients as suggested in the recipes below (or whatever you desire). Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for another 3 minutes or so until fluffy. Thin out with additional liquid as needed.

    In the microwave

    • In a microwave-safe bowl or mug, mix all the base ingredients WITH the additional add-ins (minus the stir-ins) as listed below. See notes.
    • Microwave on high for 1 ยฝ min, stir, and microwave for another 30-45 seconds, until desired consistency is achieved.
    • Once cooked, add the stir-ins. Thin out with additional liquid as needed. Wait until completely cooled before serving to baby.

    Notes

    Flavor Combinations:
    Zucchini and bell pepper
    • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ยฝ teaspoon oregano
    • 1-2 tablespoons shredded cheese (can omit, add less or more)
    • Stir-ins: cooked zucchini and bell pepper, finely chopped
    Sweet potato
    • โ…“ cup mashed sweet potato
    • ยฝ teaspoons cumin
    • Stir-ins: fresh parsley, finely chopped
    Tahini broccoli
    • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon tahini
    • Stir-ins: cooked broccoli, chopped; more tahini, if desired
    Beetroot Curryย 
    Helpful tips:
    • If youโ€™re desiring a more pudding-like consistency, add to blender and blend until smooth.
    • If cooking on the stove, be sure to stir the oatmeal constantly when adding egg. Otherwise it will cook up unevenly and you'll end up with scrambled eggs.ย 
    • Offer a spoon but chances are your baby will just dive in with their hands and that's ok!ย 
    • Alternatively, you can shape into balls or fingers to make the oatmeal easier to eat. If you happen to plan ahead, refrigerate for 30 minutes or so after shaping. This will make the balls firmer.
    • Be sure to pair with a source of vitamin C to baby oatmeal to help absorb the iron in oats.
    • You can store any untouched leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 47mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course breakfast, snack
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!
    « How to Cook Quinoa for Babies
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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, Iโ€™m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa says

      September 18, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      Hi Min, I made these last night following the basic recipe and added frozen spinach and grated carrots but the oatmeal didnโ€™t turn out creamy, it was rather clumpy and the oatmeal was like in individual pieces but everything was soft. So shaping into fingers for my baby was difficult. Should I be adding more oats or liquid to get it to a creamy consistency? Thanks in advance. Also love your content, it has really helped me! ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 18, 2022 at 8:44 pm

        Hi! I'm sorry it didn't turn out. Yes if it's clumpy then you'll need to add more liquid! Thank you for being here!

        Reply
    2. Holly says

      September 11, 2022 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      My little boy (9 months old) LOVED this oatmeal. He couldnโ€™t stop eating it! I added flax instead of chia and mashed sweet potato. Definitely making this again ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 11, 2022 at 8:05 pm

        Woohoo!! This makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Joyce says

      September 08, 2022 at 9:41 am

      i m using the ready to eat formula to make these. can i still store them for 4 days as ready to eat formula says consume within 48 hours?

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 09, 2022 at 8:06 pm

        If using formula I would either half the recipe and consume within 48 hours, freeze, or make the oatmeal with water/regular milk and add a bit of formula to thin it out right before serving.

        Reply
    4. Melissa says

      August 20, 2022 at 11:50 am

      Hi Min,
      I made these last night following the basic recipe and added frozen spinach and grated carrots but the oatmeal didnโ€™t turn out creamy, it was rather clumpy and the oatmeal was like in individual pieces but everything was soft. So shaping into fingers for my baby was difficult. Should I be adding more oats or liquid to get it to a creamy consistency? Thanks in advance. Also love your content, it has really helped me! ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Reply
    5. Marzia says

      August 14, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      Just wanted to double check if 6-7months old can really chew if presented as balls? Will it even fit their mouth? ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
      • Min says

        August 15, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        At that age most likely they will just smoosh it all over. Shape into fingers so they're easier to grab and your baby will just suck on them and manage to get some into their belly!

        Reply
    6. Lindsay K says

      May 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      Made this on the stove this morning and it was wonderfully fluffy! Added broccoli in addition to the sweet potato and garam masala and it was truly delightful.

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 12, 2022 at 5:47 pm

        I'm so glad!! Savory oatmeal is SO good right?!

        Reply
    7. Nicole says

      February 10, 2022 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      Made this morning for my 2 year old and 10 month old baby and they loved it. I will admit I was worried about adding egg for fear of it turning it into scrambled eggs but it didnโ€™t. I feel like the oatmeal was nice and creamy with it. Definitely be adding it in from now on.. hopefully I remember lol. Love your recipes!!

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 10, 2022 at 9:05 am

        Yay! So glad you tried it despite your hesitation! The egg truly is a lovely addition, isn't it?

        Reply
    8. Crystal says

      February 07, 2022 at 4:02 pm

      Can you leave out or substitute the egg if there is an allergy?

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 07, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        Yup!

        Reply
    9. Filipa says

      February 02, 2022 at 8:17 am

      Hi,
      Sorry if youโ€™ve mentioned it and Iโ€™ve missed it but can you make these with formula milk?

      Also, your posts are really helpful!!

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 02, 2022 at 9:44 am

        HI! Yes you can! And thank you for being here!

        Reply
    10. Chrissie koh says

      January 12, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      Do u have video for all your recipe?

      Reply
      • Min says

        January 14, 2022 at 8:30 pm

        Hi! I try to share as much as I can on my Instagram @kidfriendly.meals!

        Reply
    11. Nancy says

      December 28, 2021 at 10:46 pm

      How do you reheat these?

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 29, 2021 at 7:47 pm

        Either in the microwave or on the stove (may need to add a bit of liquid)

        Reply
    12. Martha Homenuke says

      November 11, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      So helpful! I love to experiment in cooking but sometimes I need a little inspiration. This was a great article and I love how versitile it is!

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 11, 2021 at 7:17 pm

        Yes! Such a great way to repurpose leftovers ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Reply
    13. Christine says

      November 10, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      Favorite breakfast recipe for my kids. Easy ans healthy ! Love it !

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 10, 2021 at 7:54 pm

        So glad to hear!

        Reply
    14. Delphine says

      July 23, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Made the purple yam oatmeal balls and my baby loves them! How do you store these? Will they still be good after thawing? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Min says

        July 23, 2021 at 6:40 pm

        Yay! You can store in the fridge for 3-5 days. I wouldn't freeze them

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope youโ€™ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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