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    BLANK » Recipe Index » Caribbean Dishes

    Jamaican Oats Porridge (Vegan, GF)

    Last Updated January 10, 2023. Published May 7, 2020 By Charla 10 Comments

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    oats porridge collage

    Start your day with this satisfying and heart warming Jamaican Oats Porridge. Delicious super creamy vegan island style oatmeal made with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, a plant based milk of your choice and sweetened with coconut condensed milk.

    porridge with orange topping

    If you are looking for a creamy breakfast bowl that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, then you definitely need to become acquainted with this porridge.

    It's tasty, healthy and packed with energy boosting nutrients that the body needs.

    Growing up my family like most Caribbean households ate porridge for breakfast. We didn't consume it daily but there wasn't a week that went by without having a huge bowl.

    I would sometimes feel like I was spoiled for choice, some days we would have Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge. and other days it would be Green Banana Porridge.

    Whatever the case, breakfast was fun filled and delicious alike. You can even make something random like this Vegan Caribbean Breakfast that's made from scramble tofu, leafy greens, pear (avocado) and plantain.

    Jamaican oats porridge was also on rotation as well. I love it so much that I just had to share another childhood favourite of mine with you all.

    One thing I should add is that Jamaican/Caribbean oats is more on the creamy side. We generally don't use steel cut oats and the texture of the our oatmeal is very smooth almost to the point where the oats looked like they have dissolved..

    In terms of appearance you definitely won't see the oatmeal that's absorbed most of the milk, you know that mushy/dense textured oats. This is more of a gruel or congee texture

    Jamaican oatmeal focuses more on flavour, sweetness and texture in no typical order with quick oats or old fashioned (rolled oats) being the preferred choice.

    close up of the porridge

    The different types of oats

    The length of time your porridge will take to cook depends on which oats you are using

    Steel cut (aka Irish oats): Yield a chewy and nutty texture. They are whole grain hulls that have been cut once or twice with steel blades hence the name. They take at least 20 minutes to cook through.

    Old fashion oats: These are whole grain that have been toasted, steamed, flatted and flaked. Due to their coarse texture they tend to hold their shape when cooking and absorb a lot more liquid. They take 10-15 minutes to cook through.

    Quick oats: These oats have been cut, steamed and rolled thinner. These oats yield a more silky smooth texture and take about 5 minutes to cook. This is my favourite type to use.

    Instant oats: They have been pre-cooked and pre-dried for immediate use. These oats tend to pop up in sachets and are usually microwave friendly and take 1 minute to cook.

    Ingredients you will need

    ingredients for jamaican oats porridge

    • Oats: choose from the options above and use your preferred cooking oats
    • Plant based milk: Use a creamy plant based milk that is full fat so coconut, almond or cashew milk work best.
    • Cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla (not pictured): all are used for flavouring, don't skip!!
    • Coconut condensed milk: This is the game charger sweetener which makes the porridge uber creamy!
    • Pink salt: a pinch of salt to balance things out

    How to make jamaican oats porridge

    steps 1-2 add water and milk

    • In a medium sized saucepan, add the water and plant based milk then bring to a boil (Picture 1 & 2).

    steps 3-4 adding spices and vanilla

    • Once boiled stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla (picture 3 & 4).
    • Reduce the heat to medium and pour the oats into the saucepan while continuously stirring so the oats are evenly combined and doesn't clump (picture 5).

    steps 5-6 adding oats and coconut condensed milk

    • Allow the porridge to cook for 5-7 minutes and stir frequently to avoid sticking. If the porridge thickens up too much during the given time add a splash of water
    • Finally, pour in your coconut condensed milk and pink salt and sweeten to taste (picture 6).

    Other flavours and toppings to try

    • Citrus: why not add the zest of a lemon/lime/orange
    • Warming spices: Ginger, mace, star anise, bay leaves,caraway
    • Garnish: Banana, strawberries, mango, pineapple, raisins, toasted coconut, nuts/seeds

    Do oats need to be soaked overnight?

    If you struggle to break down the starch then yes you may want to use the liquid that the recipes calls for and soak overnight instead. Then follow the rest of the instructions.

    Is it normal for the porridge to thicken as it cools down?

    Yes,  If you leave the porridge overnight or to cool down completely it will thicken up. You can obtain its original texture by adding a splash of water/milk when re-heating.

    Do oats contain gluten?

    No, oats are gluten free and safe for people who are gluten intolerant. Usually the problem with gluten exposure lies with the facilities or the handling process.

    Depending on how sensitive you are to trace contamination, you may want to purchase oats that are specifically labelled as "gluten free".

    Notes and tips

    • If the porridge thickens once cooled, add a splash of water/milk to restore its original texture
    • Feel free to use whatever plant based milk you prefer. I like rotating between coconut and almond milk.
    • This recipe has a higher milk content but you are more than welcome to use half milk and half water
    • For a creamy consistency I highly recommend using my Coconut Condensed Milk recipe.
    • You can use coconut sugar, agave or maple syrup but the porridge won't be as creamy.
    • Use a non sticky saucepan to avoid excess sticking.
    • Once the oats are added to the pot, keep on stirring to avoid an uneven consistency.
    • The time the oats take to cook will depend on which ones you are using quick oats take 5 minutes and old fashion oats take 10-15 minutes.
    • If you are using old fashion oats you will most likely need to have 1-2 cups more of milk/water on standby to add if/when the porridge thickens up.

    porridge with tea and spoon

    Other porridge recipes you may like

    • Jamaican Rice Porridge
    • Peanut Porridge
    • Yellow Plantain Porridge
    • Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 

    **Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

    porridge with fruit

    Jamaican Oats Porridge

    Start your day with this satisfying and heart warming Jamaican Oats Porridge. Delicious super creamy vegan island style oatmeal made with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, a plant based milk of your choice and sweetened with coconut condensed milk.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Jamaican
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Charla

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Oats (Rolled or Quick) use gluten free if you are sensitive to trace
    • 2 ½ cups plant based milk coconut milk or almond milk
    • ½ cup Water
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • ⅛ teaspoon Pink salt
    • Coconut condensed milk to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a medium sized saucepan, add the water and plant based milk then bring to a boil.
    • Once boiled stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and pour the oats into the saucepan while continuously stirring so the oats are evenly combined and doesn't clump.
    • Allow the porridge to cook for 5-7 (rolled oats will take 10-15) minutes and stir frequently to avoid sticking. If the porridge thickens up too much during the given time add a splash of water
    • Finally, pour in your coconut condensed milk and pink salt and sweeten to taste

    Notes

    • If the porridge thickens once cooled, add a splash of water/milk to restore its original texture
    • Feel free to use whatever plant based milk you prefer. I like rotating between coconut and almond milk.
    • This recipe has a higher milk content but you are more than welcome to use half milk and half water
    • For a creamy consistency I highly recommend using my Coconut Condensed Milk recipe.
    • You can use coconut sugar, agave or maple syrup but the porridge won't be as creamy
    • Use a non sticky saucepan to avoid excess sticking
    • Once the oats are added to the pot, keep on stirring to avoid an uneven consistency.
    • The time the oats take to cook will depend on which ones you are using quick oats take 5 minutes and old fashion oats take 10-15 minutes.
    • If you are using old fashion oats you will most likely need to have 1-2 cups more of milk/water on standby to add if/when the porridge thickens up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 396mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!
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    About Charla

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      May 07, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      This looks amazing! Definitely putting on my breakfast menu for next week!

      Reply
      • Charla

        May 07, 2020 at 2:18 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites

      May 07, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      How have I never thought to use coconut milk in oats before (I love both!)?? This sounds so amazing!

      Reply
      • Charla

        May 07, 2020 at 2:19 pm

        Thanks Lauren, it's a really game changer!!

        Reply
    3. Rhonda Albom

      May 07, 2020 at 12:49 pm

      I like the idea of putting coconut in porridge. I think it will make them quite tasty. I'm going to try this in the morning.

      Reply
      • Charla

        May 07, 2020 at 1:01 pm

        I hope you like it Rhonda

        Reply
    4. Danielle Wolter

      May 07, 2020 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      Now this would be the perfect breakfast or dessert! It sounds so delicious and I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Charla

        May 07, 2020 at 11:51 am

        Thank you so much Danielle.

        Reply
    5. Jack

      May 07, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      This porridge is delicious, full of spiced flavours!

      Reply
      • Charla

        May 07, 2020 at 11:50 am

        Thank you Jack

        Reply

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    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes. Learn more about me

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