Imagine starting your day with a cozy bowl of vanilla porridge, topped with tender poached pears and a crunchy gingerbread walnut crumb. I mean, doesn’t that just sound the best?! This recipe is all about warmth and comfort, combining creamy oats with the sweetness of spiced poached pears and the spiced crunch of a festive crumble. It’s the perfect breakfast for those chilly mornings when you need something extra special to kickstart your day. Simple to make, yet totally indulgent, this dish will quickly become your go-to for a cozy, satisfying morning treat!
What is the best type of oats for porridge?
The best type of oats for porridge depends on your texture preference and the amount of time you have to cook them up in the morning. Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats, cook quickly in about 5-10 minutes and offer a creamy texture, making them a great all-rounder with good levels of fibre. Steel-cut oats, which are whole oat groats chopped into pieces, take longer to cook (20-30 minutes) but provide a chewy, nutty texture and have a slightly lower glycemic index, keeping you fuller for longer and supporting stable blood sugar levels. Instant oats, while convenient and quick (1-2 minutes), can become mushy and have a higher glycemic index due to processing, making them less ideal for sustained energy release and this is why I avoid these ones. Whole oat groats, the least processed form, take the longest to cook (around 45 minutes to an hour) and have a firm texture, offering the maximum nutritional value with the highest fibre and nutrient content. Each type has its benefits, so the best choice depends on your specific needs and time available, but for this recipe, I recommend the goos old fashioned organic rolled oats.
Can I make porridge with non-dairy milk?
You absolutely can make porridge with non-dairy milk for a creamy consistency and higher protein intake (i.e soy milk, almond milk etc). However, in this vanilla porridge recipe I’ve just used filtered water for simplicity and it works a treat!
How can I make my porridge creamier?
To make your porridge creamier, use a higher ratio of liquid to oats, such as 2:1 (two parts liquid to one part oats), and cook it slowly over low heat. I prefer to cook mine on the stove for this. Opt for milk or a combination of milk and water instead of just water, as milk adds richness and creaminess. My favourite for this is soy milk but again, in this recipe I just used water. However, I do make it both ways often! Another tip is by stirring frequently during cooking this helps release the starches from the oats, which thickens the porridge and gives it a smoother, creamier texture.
Vanilla Porridge with Poached Pear and Gingerbread Walnut Crumb
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This cozy Vanilla Porridge is topped with tender poached pears and a spiced gingerbread walnut crumb, creating a warm and indulgent breakfast that’s perfect for chilly mornings. It’s high in plant protein and satiating, keeping you fuller for longer! This recipe makes two servings *see note.
Ingredients
1 cup Rolled Oats
2 cups Filtered Water (or plant milk)
2 scoops Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder
2 tsp Maple Syrup
- Gingerbread Walnut Crumb
1/4 cup Raw Walnuts
1/2 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1 tbsp Coconut Oil
1 tbsp Coconut Sugar
- Poached Pear
1 Pear
1 cup Water
1 tsp Cinnamon (1 cinnamon stick)
1 Star Anise
1 tbsp Coconut Sugar
1 tsp Orange Rind (optional)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius. Prepare your walnut crumb by placing all ingredients into a food processor and chop until a fine crumb is achieved. It should not be too dry or too sticky/wet. Place crumb onto baking sheet and place into the oven for no more than 10 minutes, checking half way through to ensure nothing burns. Nuts can burn easily in the oven.
- Cut your pear in half, and remove the core and seeds. Place the pear into a small saucepan with the rest of the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for up to 15 minutes. Once cooked and infused, remove from saucepan and place aside.
- Next, to make your porridge, add oats, water and protein powder into a saucepan on the stove over low-medium heat. Stir frequently for 5 minutes. Once cooked to your liking, take off the heat.
- Pour porridge into bowl. Place half the pear onto the oats. Sprinkle over the walnut crumb. Finish with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
- If you are wanting to make just one serving of this recipe, simply halve the recipe or save the second serving for the following day – I find this works best for my breakfast meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 2
