Porridge fingers (oatmeal fingers) are a really easy way for babies to eat oatmeal. Serve them plain or add different fruits, vegetables and spices to add variety. They only take a couple of minutes in the microwave, perfect for when your baby wakes up looking for food in a hurry!
Why You'll Love Porridge Fingers
You probably won't be rushing to make these for yourself but they are perfect for babies.
- Super quick to prepare and cook
- Being finger formed they are easy for babies to pick up (resulting in a much quicker clean up at the end!)
- Serving food in different ways allows babies to get used to different textures and food experiences.
- You still get all the nutritional benefits of oatmeal, just in finger form.
- Customisable -flavour this easy breakfast with all sorts of ingredients!
Video - Watch How to Make Them
Ingredients
Two simple ingredients is all you need to make porridge fingers
- Oats - Rolled (porridge) or quick oats work. Steel-cut oats are NOT suitable.
- Milk
However, you can flavour oatmeal fingers with a range of fruits, vegetables and spices. Three flavours that my boys enjoyed included
- Raspberry and Coconut (addition of crushed raspberries and desiccated coconut)
- Carrot Cake (addition of grated carrot, apple puree, ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg)
- Apple Pie (a particular favourite) (addition of grated apple, apple puree and cinnamon)
Process Steps and Images
- Mix Porridge Finger Ingredients Together. For the plain version this will just be milk and oats, for the flavoured versions it will include all the other ingredients. Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes, until mushy.
- Press the mixture into a small, flat-bottomed microwavable dish. Use the back of a spoon to do this until the mixture is flat. I used a dish approx. 13cm x 10cm (5x4inch) and the mixture was around 3-5mm thick. If your dish is bigger you don't have to fill the whole space, the mixture shouldn't spread much.
- Cook in Microwave for 2 mins on high. The timings will vary depending on the microwave. The first time you make them you will want to keep checking it. The cooked mixture will be soft but you should be able to cut through it.
- Cut the fingers while still hot and serve once cooled. I find that I need to "tidy up" the fingers as I cut.
Can You Make These in the Oven?
If you do not have a microwave, you can make the oatmeal fingers in the oven. Bake, in an ovenproof dish, for around 15 mins at 190C / 375F. However, you may not wish to heat the oven for such little quantities. These fruity baked oatmeal cups are a similar idea that have been specifically developed for baking, I would suggest trying this recipe instead.
Storage Instructions
- REFRIGERATE: Store in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- FREEZE: Freeze on a tray until frozen, transfer to an airtight container / freezer bag and freeze for up to a month. Defrost in the refrigerator.
Other oat breakfast ideas that you may like...
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Porridge Fingers
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Oats
- 3 tablespoon Milk Reduce this to 2 tablespoon if making the flavoured versions.
Raspberry and Coconut Porridge Fingers
- 1½ tablespoon Mashed Raspberries
- 1 teaspoon Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut
Apple Pie Porridge Fingers
- 1 tbsp Unsweetened Apple Puree (apple sauce)
- 1 tbsp Grated Apple
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
Carrot Cake Porridge Fingers
- 1 tbsp Unsweetened Apple Puree (apple sauce)
- 1 tbsp Grated Carrot
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- pinch Ground Ginger
- pinch Ground Nutmeg
Instructions
Plain Porridge Fingers
- Add the oats and milk to a small bowl and soak until you have a mushy mixture. (A couple of minutes)
- Press the mixture into a small, flat-bottomed dish using the back of a spoon.
- Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes on high.**
- Cut into fingers while still hot and serve when cooled.
Raspberry and Coconut Version
- Add the oats, milk and mashed raspberries to a small bowl and soak until you have a mushy mixture. (A couple of minutes). Stir in the coconut.
- Continue from step 2 of the plain porridge finger recipe
Apple Pie Version
- Add the oats, milk, apple puree, apple and cinnamon to a small bowl and soak until you have a mushy mixture. (A couple of minutes)
- Continue from step 2 of the plain porridge finger recipe
Carrot Cake Version
- Add the oats, milk, apple puree, apple, carrot and spices to a small bowl and soak until you have a mushy mixture. (A couple of minutes)
- Continue from step 2 of the plain porridge finger recipe
Recipe Notes
Nutritional facts
*First Published May 2015, the post has been updated to include process shots, video and more detailed recipe information.
Casey says
This looks amazing and I really want to get this recipe right as it will be so convenient for busy mornings, but the texture keeps coming out very gluey. Am I over cooking or adding too much liquid?
Thank you
Amy says
Hi Casey, have you watched the video/ looked at the process shots? Does your mixture look the same? The texture is quite gummy but my kids loved these as babies/toddlers.
Kate says
How thick do these need to be? I wonder if I used to larger a container and spread them too thin as they came out like carpet and my 9 month old couldn't take a bite lol
Amy says
Hi Kate, sorry you didn't have much luck with the recipe. I used a dish of approx. 13cm x 10cm (5x4inch) and the mixture was around 3-5mm thick. If your dish is bigger you don't have to fill the whole space, the mixture shouldn't spread much. (See process steps for more info and photos)
Dannie says
Is there a way to make this if I don’t have a microwave?
Amy says
Hi Dannie, If you do not have a microwave, you can make the oatmeal fingers in the oven. Bake, in an ovenproof dish, for around 15 mins at 190C / 375F. However, you may not wish to heat the oven for such little quantities. These fruity baked oatmeal cups are a similar idea that have been specifically developed for baking, I would suggest trying this recipe instead.
Sonya says
What type of milk did you use?
Amy says
You can use your milk of choice. I used cow's milk which is ok to serve a baby when cooking with (just not served as a drink) but you can use formula/breast milk if you prefer.
Sisca says
Hi, i really want to try this since it looks so yummy and easy,
but i do have a question. Since cooked oat have some kind of sticky gummy texture, is it safe for my 6 month old? Or should i wait until he's around 8 month-ish? Quite worried about choking. Thankyou
Amy says
Hi Sisca, I happily served these to my little one when he was 6 months. Has your baby had any finger food before? If so then I am sure these would be fine to have. However, as always, supervise closely.
Louise says
Hi, what would you recommend for those who don't have a microwave please?
Amy says
Hi Louise,If you do not have a microwave, you can make the oatmeal fingers in the oven. Bake, in an ovenproof dish, for around 15 mins at 190C / 375F. However, you may not wish to heat the oven for such little quantities. These fruity baked oatmeal cups are a similar idea that have been specifically developed for baking, I would suggest trying this recipe instead.
Judith says
I made the carrot cake version, my 11 month old is quite difficult, picky and eats very little. She took 3-4 bites which was really good!! I will definitely make it again and try more of your recipes.
Amy says
Thanks Judith, hope your little one enjoys some of the recipes 🙂
Maddi's Mama says
A less messy way to serve oatmeal to my toddler! I added grated green apple, cinnamon, and after cooked, but before cool, I topped with peanut butter and cheerios. She loved them!!!
Amy says
Thank you! Your version sounds delicious!