Porridge fingers (oatmeal fingers) are a great 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!
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Porridge fingers are a mess-free solution for serving oatmeal to babies. While you won't be rushing to make these for yourself, they are perfect for baby-led weaning, offering an easy-to-handle alternative to traditional porridge.
If your baby enjoys these, be sure to explore our range of hand-held baby oatmeal breakfasts, including mango baked oatmeal, plum baked oatmeal, blueberry breakfast balls, raspberry breakfast balls and fruity baked oatmeal cups.
Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Super quick to prepare and cook
- Being finger-formed they are easy for babies to pick up (resulting in a much quicker cleanup at the end!)
- Serving food in different ways allows babies to get used to different textures and food experiences.
- Customisable - flavour this easy breakfast with a variety of ingredients!
Ingredient Information
The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You only need two ingredients to make the basic porridge recipe
- Oats - Porridge oats (old fashioned rolled oats) produce a better result than quick oats. Steel cut oats are not suitable in this recipe.
- Milk - I used cow's milk but you can use milk of choice.
However, you can flavour oatmeal fingers with a range of fruits, vegetables and spices. The recipe card below includes the following three flavours
- Raspberry and Coconut addition of crushed raspberries and desiccated coconut
- Carrot Cake addition of grated carrot, apple puree (apple sauce), ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
- Apple Pie addition of grated apple, apple puree and cinnamon
Of course, you can get creative, just try to keep the ratios the same. Some other addition suggestions include mashed banana, blueberries, chopped raisins, pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree or a range of fruit purees.
Step By Step Instructions (with Images)
This section features step-by-step photos for visual reference. The complete recipe can be found by scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Mix Porridge Finger Ingredients.Combine oats and milk for the plain version, or add additional ingredients for flavored variations. Let the mixture sit until it becomes mushy.
- Press mixture into microwavable dish. Use the back of a spoon to do this until the mixture is flat. 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.
- Microwave. Cook for 2 minutes, though microwave timings may vary. Check periodically; the cooked mixture should be soft but cuttable.
- Cut and Serve. While still hot, cut the mixture into fingers. You may need to tidy up the edges as you cut. Allow the fingers to cool before removing from the dish and serving.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration:Once oatmeal fingers have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight storage container and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
- Freezing: Allow the fingers to cool and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before offering them to your baby.
Recipe FAQs
Porridge fingers are suitable for babies who have started solids and are developmentally ready, typically 6 months of age plus.Â
This recipe contains dairy, a common allergen. Ensure you have safely introduced dairy to your baby before offering these fingers.Â
As will all new foods, create a safe eating environment and closely supervise your baby during mealtime.Â
Not personalised advice - for informational purposes only. Consult with your paediatrician regarding the introduction of solid foods and any potential allergy risks for your baby.
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 small quantities.  These fruity baked oatmeal cups or mango baked oatmeal are similar ideas that have been specifically developed for baking, I would suggest trying this recipe instead.
Yes, these fingers do have a slight gummy texture. This is a basic recipe designed to provide an easy way to serve oatmeal to a baby. The soft malleable texture is perfect for little ones. Although cut into bars they are very different to granola bars.Â
More Breakfast Recipes
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Porridge Fingers
Equipment
- Microwave
- Microwavable Dish approx 13cm x 10 cm (5x4 inch)
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
- ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
Carrot Cake Porridge Fingers
- 1 tbsp Unsweetened Apple Puree (apple sauce)
- 1 tbsp Grated Carrot
- â…› 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.
Flavoured Versions
- Add the oats, milk (2 tbsps only) and additional ingredients for the desired flavour.
- Continue from step 2 of the plain porridge finger recipe
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutritional facts
*First Published May 2015, the post has been updated to include process shots, video and more detailed recipe information.
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.