Easy Oaty Pudding

Tiny knows how important it is to eat a healthy breakfast before a big day of exploring… one that includes whole grains, fruit, protein and a little bit of fat. But when you're still sleepy, that can be a lot to think about in the morning. To help get her day off to an easy and delicious start, Tiny learned how to make this creamy oatmeal pudding. She simply mixes all the ingredients in a jar before bed. By morning, breakfast is ready to eat and Tiny is ready to greet the world!

The best part about this recipe is that you can add whatever you like… dried, fresh, or frozen fruit, nuts, seeds, spices. 

Some of Tiny’s favorite combinations are listed down below, but don’t be afraid to use your imagination and try some new things. You can switch out the milk and yogurt for nondairy or reduced fat varieties if you like, but try to stick to the plain, unsweetened types.

The Pudding

1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not instant, not steel-cut)

1/3 cup whole milk

1/3 cup whole milk yogurt

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

¼ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

pinch of salt

Optional:

1 tablespoon millet (for extra crunch) or 1 tablespoon chia seed (for a silkier pudding)

On Summer mornings, Tiny enjoys this recipe right out of the fridge, but if you prefer a hot cereal, 30-45 seconds in the microwave is enough to warm it right up. This is also a great camping breakfast… just be sure to keep it chilled overnight in a cooler or insulated thermos.

Variations:

These are just a handful of Tiny’s favorite mix-ins. Be creative and use this opportunity to try some fun new fruits and spices. If you decide to add a very juicy fresh fruit, the pudding might be a little runny, so just use a bit less milk (1/4 cup instead of 1/3 cup).

Summer Stone Fruit Oaty Pudding:  Reduce the milk in the recipe to ¼ cup. Add 2 tablespoons of diced fresh peaches or plums, 1 tablespoon of dried cherries, and (optional) 1 tablespoon of sliced, natural (with skin) almonds.

Apple Crisp Oaty Pudding:  Add 2 tablespoons of diced fresh or dried apple, ¼ teaspoon of apple pie spice, and 2 tablespoons of your favorite granola.

            

 

Tropical Oaty Pudding:  Use light coconut milk in place of the whole milk and add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried diced mango, and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut flakes.

Holiday Oaty Pudding:  Add 2 tablespoons of cranberries, 1 tablespoon of slivered almonds, 2 teaspoons of minced candied ginger, and 1 pinch each of ground clove and ground cinnamon.

We hope you have fun trying a variety of flavors as you add your own twist to Tiny's basic oaty pudding recipe! Feel free to share some of your favorite mix-ins below.

Visit us at www.TinyTastesWorld.com

This post created by Kat Craddock

Photo credits: Cassie Sciortino