Fancy waking up to a nice warm hug?

Fancy waking up to a nice warm hug?

July 03, 2025

This Comforting Apple Porridge is a simple, healthy, and budget-friendly breakfast that’s perfect for chilly mornings. Made with fresh apples and pantry staples like rolled oats, it will help keep you full and energised all morning. 

Hot Tip:
Not all oats are the same! Rolled oats are better than quick oat sachets. They’re lower in GI, meaning they raise blood sugar slowly, keeping you fuller for longer and helping you avoid big sugar spikes. Plus, they’re cheaper. So when making porridge, go for traditional rolled oats! 

Serves = 2

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup dairy or *non-dairy milk
  • 2 whole pitted dates, sliced
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 apple (cut slices from one slide for garnish and grate the rest)
  • 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

For cooking on the stove:

  1. In a small saucepan, add the oats, water, milk, sliced dates and cinnamon over medium heat.
  2. Cook the porridge on a steady simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir often to create a smooth and creamy mixture.
  3. While the porridge is cooking, on a chopping board cut slices from one side of the apple (reserve for garnish), then grate the rest of the apple. Chop walnuts to desired size.
  4. Add the grated apple and walnuts to the saucepan and stir for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Serve the porridge into 2 bowls, top with sliced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For cooking in the microwave:

  1. In a microwave safe container, mix together the oats, dates, cinnamon, and half the water and milk.
  2. On a chopping board cut slices from one side of the apple (reserve for garnish), then grate the rest of the apple. Chop walnuts to desired size.
  3. Cook the porridge in the microwave for 1 minute and stir. Repeat this 3 times before adding the grated apple and walnuts, then repeat the process for 2 more minutes.
  4. Serve the porridge into 2 bowls, top with sliced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Tweaks

  • Add extra milk or water to loosen the porridge so it’s not too thick and ‘gooey’.
  • Substitute the apple with pear and the dates with sultanas.
  • *If using non-dairy milk, look for varieties with added calcium.

This warm hug is from our friends at No Money, No Time.