5 Breakfast Oatmeal Recipes for Toddlers - Sarah Remmer, RD (2024)

By Sarah Remmer, RD | Oct 27, 2021 (updated Jul 17, 2023)
4 Comments

Nutritious, filling and easy, oatmeal is the perfect breakfast for a busy toddler (and big kids too!). These oatmeal recipes for toddlers use large flake oats or steel cut oat for added nutrition.

As a pediatric dietitian and mom of 3, I’m asked all the time: “what do you feed your toddler and big kids for breakfast?”

Oatmeal is always at the top of my list. Nutritious, filling and easy, oatmeal is the perfect breakfast for a busy toddler. Oats are high in soluble fibre- a type of fibre that keeps you fuller longer, naturally decreases your cholesterol levels and stabilizes your blood sugar levels. Oatmeal offersenergy to start your day, and staying power, keeping you fuller longer. They are a great source of thiamine, iron and certain anti-oxidants.

A few helpful notes about these breakfast oatmeal recipes:

Tip #1: Choose large flake or steel cut oats

When you are choosing oats in the grocery store, there are several varieties to choose from. I usually choose large flake oats (old-fashioned rolled oats) or steel-cut oats (which take longer to cook) instead of instant or quick oats. Large flake or steel cut oats are less refined and processed, are lower on the Glycemic Index (are digested slower) and have a grainier texture (which I like) as compared to quick and instant, which cook quicker and produce a smoother, thicker texture. Be careful with instant oats packages which often contain added sugars/sweeteners and other additives.

Tip#2: Cook oats in the microwave using a tall bowl

I’ve made these recipes with busy Moms in mind, so most of them can becooked in the microwave. You can also cook oats on the stovetop (works well for bigger batches and if you’re using steel-cut oats). When you cook in the microwave, make sure to use a tall microwave-safe bowl or dish so that your oatmeal doesn’t come pouring over the sides as it cooks.

Tip #3:Use milk or coconut milk to make oats creamy and delicious!

I’ve given the option of using milk, a milk alternativeor water in most of the recipes. I choose milk or coconut milkmost of the time, because it makes for a creamier oatmeal. Water, soy milk, almond milk or any other milk work too.I’ve kept these recipes fairly simple, but feel free to add extra ingredients like chia seeds, hemp hearts or flax for an extra boost of fibre. Tasty oatmeal toppings are key!

Here are five of my favourite oatmeal recipes for toddlers (I used large flake oats for all recipes):

Oatmeal 5 Ways: Chocolate Berry Overnight Oats & More

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Who doesn’t love waking up to breakfast already made?! Especially one that tastes like chocolate! Simply add milk of choice if needed, heat in the microwave and serve!

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/3 cup Vanilla (or plain) Greek yogurt
• 1 large ripe banana, mashed
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (or to taste)
• 3 teaspoon cocoa powder
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 cup berries (fresh or frozen) of choice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except for the berries), and mix well.
2. Pour equally into 4 small mason jars, topping each with ¼ cup berries).
3. Seal the jars and let the oats soak overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Open the mason jars in the morning, blend in the berries, add any addition milk (if desired) and enjoy! You can also heat in the microwave prior to serving too.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sarahremmer on Instagram and hashtag it #sarahremmer. And if you love this recipe it would mean so much if you could leave a review and rating.

More toddlers breakfast ideas:

• Flourless chocolate lentil protein muffins
• Homemade peanut butter granola
• 3 easy make-ahead breakfast recipes for busy weekdays

For easy, family-friendly recipes, check out my recipe page!

Did you know that we offer personalized nutrition counselling for kids and families? If this is something you’d like to learn more about, please visit The Centre for Family Nutrition.