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 tbsp Milk Reduce this to 2 tbsp if making the flavoured versions.
Raspberry and Coconut Porridge Fingers
- 1½ tbsp Mashed Raspberries
- 1 tsp 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
*First Published May 2015, the post has been updated to include process shots, video and more detailed recipe information.
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!
TZ says
I just discovered your website and I am so glad I did! My 9 month old is really enjoying your recipes! I have made these twice and he really enjoyed them and I love how easy these are. I’m not sure if I have the texture right. They form into fingers but they are kind of delicate and crumble when he picks them up. I just pick up all of the crumbs and mush them back together for him but is this how the consistency should be? Am I doing something wrong?
Amy says
Hi TZ, I think you could try another 30 seconds in the microwave, they should firm up a bit more. Thank you for all your lovely comments, I’m delighted you are enjoying the site and have made so many recipes 🙂
Melinda says
Ok, help me figure out what I’m doing wrong… Every time I’ve tried to make porridge fingers, they come out…well, like oatmeal. They’re not hard or solid enough to cut into bars, and they fall to pieces in baby’s hands. I follow the recipe perfectly. What should I do? Microwave an extra minute?
Amy says
I’d keep microwaving for an extra 10 seconds at a time until you can cut it. Have you watched the video? Does your mixture look anything like mine?
shontra hibbler says
I was running out of meals that my little one will eat. He doesn’t want oatmeal, purees, avocados, toast, or eggs. He ate several pieces of the carrot cake porridge fingers. I did use sweatened apple sauce because i tried unsweetened apple sauce in some muffins and he did not like them. It didn’t make them to sweet, but will try dates and raisins with them next time.
Amy says
Thanks for the feedback, Shontra. I’m so happy your little one liked them. 🙂
Meg says
I made the carrot cake fingers for my little Hazy, she is 7 months old. She LOVED them and I stole some too! We are big fans. Definitely will try the others as well. Thank you for one mama to another
Amy says
Great! Love that Hazy loved them 🙂
Syeda Ahmed says
Thank you for sharing this, my toddler is going through a picky eating stage and he cleaned his bars in a few minutes 😀 the chewy texture is also a nice variation
Amy says
That is great news, thanks Syeda 🙂
Millie says
How many servings does this recipe make? And what is the nutritional information for the carrot cake fingers?
Amy says
Hi Millie, I’m sorry this is a really old recipe and although I now add all this information, I didn’t in the past. It is designed to make 1 -2 portions, I don’t have the nutritional information but you can pop it in an online calculator to find this out. I do have this scheduled to update and will include all this information once I remake them.
Bec says
My bub is dairy free, could I substitute water instead of milk? Or would coconut milk work?
Amy says
Hi Bec, dairy-free milk should work, you could also use breast/formula.
Chloe says
These are a favourite of our 10 month old as are many of your recipes (especially banana pancakes)! Thank you for making BLW a lot easier 🙂
Amy says
I love comments like this, they always make my day. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that your little one is a fan of the recipes, Chloe. 🙂
Mette says
How long will these last in the fridge? I have a husband who isn’t keen on preparing food (in general), so I do most of the cooking at home. It would be nice for him to have something to grab in the fridge or freezer for our son when I’m at work.
Amy says
Hi Mette, I’m sorry for the delay in getting back to you. These can be frozen but the recipe doesn’t make much (designed for a baby). I have a similar recipe made in muffin trays and baked in the oven. They freeze really well and I often take them out for a quick and easy breakfast. Fruity Baked Oatmeal Cups.
Laura says
I can’t get the consistency right and this is the second time I’ve done it it seems to be too mushy and doesn’t hold together?
Amy says
Hi Laura, I wonder if it is the microwave settings – maybe you need a little extra time? These fruity oatmeal muffins are similar (sort of), made in the oven and freezable. Make in mini muffins trays and they are easy for little ones to pick up.
Michaela says
Hi Amy, thanks so much for these recipes. My LO has decided not to eat anything, unless she can put it in her mouth herself. These are a lifesaver, and a great way to use up the many different fruit purees I had prepared for her. I substituted blueberries for the raspberries and it came out wonderfully!!
Amy says
Thanks for the 5 stars, Michaela. So happy your little one like them 🙂
Veronica McElroy says
15 tablespoons of raspberries in the raspberry porridge fingers! Isn’t that a bit much?
Amy says
Hi Veronica, 1.5 not 15! Sorry if the point was not clear 🙂
Millie says
I’ve made porridge fingers a few times using cows milk but today I mixed cows and formula- am I able to refrigerate and offer the remainder tomorrow? Are they still freezable too? Not used formula in cooking before!
Amy says
Hi Millie, I’m so sorry for the late response and I know I am too late to answer your question now. I don’t have a lot of experience with cooking using formula and to be honest, I am not sure of the answer. I don’t want to give my opinion, without properly researching, in case it is wrong.
Dawn I says
Can you freeze these for later and reheat them?
Amy says
Hi Dawn, I’m so sorry for the late response. Yes you can freeze 🙂
Gloria says
Hi 🙂 we don’t have a microwave, can make this recipe with the oven?
Amy says
Hi Gloria, yes you can make them in the oven. This is a comment from someone why tried them in the oven (you can also read below)
“I made a double batch of these and put them in a snack bar mold/pan. I ended up putting them in the oven for 10 mins, flipped each bar over and baked for another 10 minutes and they came out great. Soft but held together well. My LO is 6.5 months and he loooves these. Thanks so much for the recipe!”
AFS says
Hi, how long do you soak the oats in milk?
Amy says
Hi, you don’t need to soak for long, just a few minutes, until the mixture is mushy 🙂
Kate says
Hi, I’m very keen to try this recipe but I only have quick oats. Does this recipe work with quick oats?
Thank you
Amy says
Hi Kate, I have never tried this recipe with quick oats. I presume they would work but the texture would be a little less textured 🙂 Hope it works for you.
M says
Any suggestions on how to substitute the Apple? My LO is allergic….
Amy says
Hi M, the Raspberry and coconut version doesn’t contain any apple (top recipe). 🙂
Amber says
I made a double batch of these and put them in a snack bar mold/pan. I ended up putting them in the oven for 10 mins, flipped each bar over and baked for another 10 minutes and they came out great. Soft but held together well. My LO is 6.5 months and he loooves these. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Amy says
Thanks for the feedback, Amber, and for letting me know how they worked in the oven for you. I love that your little one enjoyed them 🙂
M says
What temperature did you use?
Amy says
Hi there!
I’m just wondering if I can use rolled oats for this recipe and if so, what would I need to change? Thanks!!
Amy says
Hi Amy, I actually used rolled oats so you don’t need to change anything 🙂
Lisa says
Can i make these in advance and then freeze?
Amy says
Hi Lisa, yes, I have frozen these and they were fine 🙂
Kate says
Hi. I want to try the recipe but i don’t have a microwave. Any idea if can be cooked in oven?
Amy says
Hi Kate, They could be cooked in the oven but I would make a much larger batch if doing that. This recipe only makes a small amount. I have a similar oat style recipe that I make in mini muffin trays (https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/), you could try them or place the mixture in a baking dish and slice into fingers.
Batool says
Hi, I just made these for my 6 mo old, using breast milk (he has a cow’s milk protein allergy).
A question regarding the texture- mine turned out.. rubbery (for lack of a better word). Does that sound right to you?
After microwaving for 2 minutes, they seemed soft and a bit on the mushier side. So I popped them back in for 30-40 seconds.
I’m wondering if I messed something up and these are now unsafe to give to my baby?
Amy says
Hi Batool, I’m not quite sure how to describe the texture, they are soft but should be able to slice and be able to pick up. I’m sure they are safe to give baby if all the food was fresh.
M says
Pretty sure you are not supposed to put breastmilk in the microwave and have been told not to feed it to baby if you do…
Kirstie says
Hi what dish do you put them in? Cos I find a bowl makes them hard to get out and cut and a plate isn’t good to hold the porridge together!
Thanks.
Amy says
Hi Kirstie, I used a small, flat bottom dish with sides. I could then push it to one side and it held together. My new recipes all have process steps and I can see how this recipe could benefit from some too. I hope you find a dish that works for you.
Tanya says
any cooking reccomendations for those of us that choose to have a non microwave household??
Amy says
Hi Tanya, sorry for the delay. I’d bake these for around 15mins at 190C. I have some other oat-based recipes, similar to these, that I have trialled in the oven. https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/ https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/coconut-mango-oat-breakfast-bites/
Patty says
Can this be made using an oven toaster?
Amy says
Hi Patty, I have never used an oven toaster so I can’t say, sorry. You can make them in the oven so I am sure that it would work in a toaster oven.
Leah says
Is there anything I can replace the apple puree with? We don’t have any purees at our place?
Amy says
Hi Leah, you can just replace it with milk and maybe grate some apple in. Or you could replace with mashed banana.
Fezi says
What if you don’t have a microwave??? Could you put them in the oven? How long for? Would love to try these out 🙂
Amy says
Hi Fezi, these fruity oat muffins have similar ingredients and are oven baked. https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/
Rebecca says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe…we struggle for breakfast ideas that my 12month old can eat his self. He’s very independent and dosnt like being fed off a spoon, so we normally end up giving him toads and fruits but these are great. He has just made 3 finger disappear in no time at all and he realy enjoyed them, picking up each and every crumb. Thank you
Amy says
Brilliant! So glad these worked out for you and your little one approved! Thanks for taking the time to give feedback, it really does mean a lot.
Pongodhall says
I do eat a lot of oats, sweet and savoury.
These fingers are so unusual and really lovely addition to my recipe books
Amy says
Thank you! I have a couple big oat fans too!
Deborah Lipszyc says
Hi from what age would you hive raisins? I have a 9 months old baby led weaner! Thanks
Amy says
Hi Deborah, I was happy to give my two them from an early age, I never gave them too often due to the high sugar content. I served these to my youngest at around 6 months.
Sharon says
My 6month old loved these, however they were abit floppy? Why is that? What am I doing wrong. I had them in the microwave for 3 minutes! A big hit though! X
Amy says
Hi Sharon, they are a bit floppy in texture. If you are looking for something similar but firmer then you should try my fruity oat breakfast bites…..https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/ Hope your 6 month enjoys these too!
Rachel says
How do I know when they are cooked. I did 2 minutes in the microwave they seem somewhat firm? I can wait to see if my fussy 10 month old will actually eat them!
Amy says
Hi Rachel, They should be set and firm enough to pick up. How did they go?
Samantha says
Hi do you know if these recipes would work with baby porridge ( the fine powder for beginner eaters) I have a bag left over and don’t want to waste it, do you think it would work the same
Amy says
I have no idea, sorry. It is worth a try! I take it that baby porridge is oats ground to a flour? I never actually used it so can’t say for sure.
Lisa says
I’ve been making them using the recipe and then adding about 1/8 to 1/4 cup oat baby cereal and adding a little more baby food puree (which is what I used for the fruit portion). They come out sort of solid and more moist than with just oats I imagine, but they are delicious in my and my kid’s opinion!! I hate to waste any baby food so I’ve been trying to add them in everywhere I can! Haha My kids from 20 months to 7 years old can’t get enough. 🙂
Sophie Theodoros says
Just wondering if you have frozen these? I have a very clingy 9 month old who LOVES them but I find it hard to make things during the day so pre make thing on weekends when her dad is home
Amy says
Hi Sophie, I have frozen them and my two were more than happy to eat them. So happy your little one loves them!!
Vivien says
Hi. I made it with rolled oat and milk but it turned out hard and crumbly. Is this the correct texture? Seems difficult for baby to chew on it.
Amy says
Hi Vivien, Sorry you didn’t have success with the recipe. I wonder if it was to do with microwave settings. I never found them crumbly.
Danielle says
Im eager to try these for my 7 month old!! I only have Quaker oats (quick oats) on hand. Would those work? Also, when you made them with blueberries, what food combination did you use? Just the blueberries?
Thank you 🙂
Amy says
As I haven’t tried it I can’t say for sure, I’m not sure how it would hold together to be honest. I love citrus with blueberries so maybe some lemon zest? Alternatively spices like ginger, cardamom or cinnamon might work well. Enjoy!
Julie says
They look yummy! What age could you feed them from? We have just started weaning at 5 months (don’t tell me off!))
Amy says
I served these to my second baby from 6 months but he was doing baby led weaning so he wasn’t used to swallowing purees. If doing purees I would wait until your baby is used to finger foods. ??
Ruth says
Love these!! As do my two lill ones ?
Amy says
Thanks Ruth, so glad they were a hit!
Kate says
Any ideas on how to make these dairy free? Do you think just water would work?
Kate says
Just made them and subbed out the milk with water and they were great! Thanks, adding this to my go-to recipes for the little one 🙂
Amy says
Great! So happy that they they worked for you even with the substitution. Thanks for letting me know too.
Val says
Use almond milk!
Jazmine says
Hi. I have a question!! My little one will be 6 months on the8th. He has only has carrots, baby rice cereal and now oatmeal baby cereal. What age are these good for? Does BLW method actually work? I’m a new first time mom and I plan to make all his food. Thank you
Amy says
I was happy to serve these to my 6 month old. I did baby led weaning with him so he was not used to swallowing purees. I think baby led weaning is great for some and purees better for others. I guess it depends on the baby and parent. I have written a post discussing my experience of both if you want any more information.https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/traditional-weaning-or-baby-led/
Alicia says
Could you make a bunch and keep them in the fridge for say the week? Or is it a make on the day kind of thing?
Amy says
Hi Alicia, I found they didn’t keep that well in the fridge. I preferred to freeze them and take them out as needed.
Danielle says
How deep do you make these? And how many fingers do you get out of a batch?
Really keen to try these out
Amy says
Hi Danielle, Sorry I am just seeing this now. I make them around 1 cm thick. I use a very small dish and the mixture fits perfectly. You only get around 4 small fingers from each mixture. ??
Lexi says
Hello! Are raisins really okay for under a year? I’m afraid of choking of course. My little eating machine is 8.5 months old. Thank you!
Amy says
Hi Lexi, I was happy to give my little ones raisins at 8.5 months (not too many due to the sugar content) I think they are small enough not to be a choking hazard. If it makes you more comfortable then you could always chop them up a bit.
Ana Cristina says
I don’t have microwave, is there any other way to do these porridge fingers?
Amy says
Hi Ana, I haven’t tried these in the oven but I’m sure they would work well as I make similar products to these in the oven. You could try my fruity oat breakfast bites – https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/ or my mango and coconut oat bars – https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/coconut-mango-oat-breakfast-bites/
Ash says
LOVE THESE!! I didn’t have any apple puree and couldn’t be bothered to make any so i just used grated apple and breastmilk and my 7mo is gobbling them up. She hasnt really gobbled up anything yet so this is a first.
Amy says
Hi Ash, I’m so please she loves them and thank you so much for your feedback. I hope she gobbles up plenty of these recipes for you in the future!
Kelly says
Hey there, I just made these but mine are mushy. I ended up putting them in the microwave for 2 mins 30 secs as our microwave is fairly old. Are they supposed to be mushy or more like the consistency of a soft granola bar?
My baby is eating them anyways 🙂 but not sure how well they’ll store.
Amy says
Hi Kelly, they shouldn’t be mushy – you should be able to pick them up as in the picture. Maybe spread the mixture out a bit more, they were maybe too thick? I have a pretty powerful microwave but the timings were the same as given in the Baby-led Weaning book. Alternatively you could bake in the oven. I’ve popped them in the freezer before and re heated before serving and they worked well.
Sandy says
How long do you soak the rolled oats for? Overnight, or just a few minutes?
Did you use a fine-grain rolled oat, or the chunky type?
Amy says
HI Sandy, I just soaked them for a few minutes. I used fine-grained oats.
Erin says
Probably a dumb question but what are porridge oats?
Amy says
Hi Erin, Scottish porridge oats are rolled oats. 🙂
Leanne says
Looking forward to trying these for my six month old…I’m sure my 3 year old will be more than happy to test out as well! Thanks for posting info for oven-made option as I don’t have a microwave either.
Amy says
Thanks Leanne, I hope they are a success! (with your 6 mth and 3 yr old!)
Mrs T says
These look fab but I don’t have a microwave. Can these be made by another method?
Thanks
Amy says
I haven’t tried them in the oven but do make similar oat cookies in the oven. I’d cook for 15 mins at 190c/375f/Gas5. Let me know how they go!
Mary Croft says
Love love love these! My 20 month old is going through a phase of eating hardly any fruit and veg. Made the carrot cake version and he loves them! Oh how it makes me smile to see him tucking in to all that is healthy. Keep the recipes coming, we’re enjoying eating them too!!
Amy says
Oh thanks for your positive feedback! It is so lovely to hear. I’m glad your 20 month is enjoying the recipes 🙂
Mary Croft says
quick question; how long would these last? I made a bit of a rookie mistake and left them on a tub on the side and my son has been eating them over a few days (I made a few batches as he loved them so much) realised today that they’d started growing a bit of mould! Should have thought about the milk maybe! Would you keep them in the fridge?
Amy says
I would definitely keep them in the fridge. I actually made a large batch and then frozen them. I took a couple out the night before or quickly defrosted them in the microwave in the morning. Worked ok. Wasn’t as good as freshly cooked but the boys didn’t complain.
nicola says
Hi if u use formula milk to make these how long will they last in the fridge as obviously a bottle of formula only lasts 2 hrs?! Thanks
Amy says
Hi Nicola, thanks for your question. I’m presuming they would be ok in the fridge but I have not had much experience with formula and I can’t really answer your question, sorry. I’ve only ever made them with cows milk.
nicola says
Hi thanks amy. So will be 6 month old be ok making them with cows milk as i know u can cook with cows milk from 6 months?! Thanks x
Amy says
Hi Nicola, yes I made these with cows milk for Rory at six months.
Melissa says
You can make any food using cows milk as long as its being heated, porridge, pasta, eggs etc
Julia says
My 13th month gobbled these up! Carrot cake one was a particular favourite. Easy to do as well, fab.
Amy says
I’m glad that they were a success!I also like the fact that they are so easy to make. Yesterday I made some porridge fingers with blueberries pushed in them. Both boys loved them and they are even quicker to make!
Marion Davidson says
The flavours added to the basic recipe sure made a difference! Lovely!
Amy says
I’m glad you liked the different flavour profiles. I made another batch of porridge fingers this morning and added blueberries. It worked really well and was so quick, you should try it!
Rachel says
Hi, I’m new to blw. Is this porridge oat fingers meant to be soft?
I’ve made this for my 6 months old. Just wasn’t sure if it’s cooked enough
Amy says
They are a funny texture, hard to describe. Yes they are soft but you should be able to slice it into a finger to pick up.
Deborah TimmonsDeb says
I dont like to microwave the babies food. Can I bake these or cook some other way
Amy says
Hi Deborah, Yes you could bake these but without trialling I can’t say for sure the timings. You could try these fruity oats breakfast muffins (https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/fruity-oat-breakfast-bites/) or these Mango Coconut breakfast bars (https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/coconut-mango-oat-breakfast-bites/) 🙂