Here is the perfect, ultra-creamy peanut porridge recipe for you to try. This nutrient-dense porridge is a great way to start your day and can be whipped up in minutes.
Made like a classic Jamaican porridge, this silky, warming bowl of flavored oats is super simple to make.
It's no secret that I love starting my day with porridge and this peanut porridge is the newest addition to my porridge routine.
It's a fantastic recipe to kick-start your day due to it's high protein content from raw peanuts. Plus it's rich and creamy texture makes it a satisfying breakfast that keep you feeling full preventing mid-morning hunger pangs.
If you love this recipe, try my delicious Banana Porridge recipe. Check out my Millet Porridge and Sorghum Porridge recipes for alternate grain options.
What is peanut porridge?
Peanut porridge is a traditional dish in various cultures, especially popular in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean (Jamaica). It’s essentially a warm, hearty meal made from peanuts, grains (oats in the case of this recipe) and often sweetened with condensed milk, sugar, or honey.
It can be enjoyed as a warm breakfast, delicious snack, or sweet dinner.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Taste and texture: This peanut porridge has a creamy, super cozy, satisfying texture. The raw peanuts, spices, ground oats, and other ingredients give the dish a lovely light flavor.
- Nutrient-dense: Peanuts are a good source of plant protein and they are associated with heart health.
- Easy and quick: Thanks to soaking the peanuts and the blending step, cooking the porridge takes only a few minutes.
- Family-friendly: Both kids and adults will love this creamy, slightly sweet hot cereal.
Ingredients & substitution notes
- Raw peanuts: The raw peanuts get soaked until soft to make them easy to work with in this recipe. Choose unsalted peanuts that are totally raw.
- Oats: Rolled oats or old-fashioned oats work best for this recipe. They add a creamy texture to the porridge.
- Milk: You can use any type of milk you prefer, such as cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Try coconut milk if you love tropical flavors.
- Maple syrup: Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences. You can substitute it with honey or agave syrup. Brown sugar, coconut sugar, and cane sugar also work.
- Vanilla extract: Go for pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Vanilla gives the porridge a lovely taste and goes well with the peanut butter.
- Cinnamon (optional): For a bit of warmth. Use ground cinnamon as opposed to a cinnamon stick.
- Peanut butter (optional): Choose natural peanut butter without added sugars or hydrogenated oils if possible.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make peanut porridge
STEP 1: Soak the peanuts in ½ a cup of water overnight in a small bowl or for a minimum of 2 hours.
STEP 2: Drain and add the peanuts to a blender with all the other ingredients.
STEP 3: Use a high-speed blender if possible and blend until smooth.
Step 4: Transfer the peanut mixture to a small saucepan. Allow the mixture to simmer on low to very low for 1-2 minutes. Stir constantly until the mixture is cooked and thick. Taste and adjust the taste and texture. Add more liquid if it’s too thick.
Top tips
- Soak peanuts: This is a key step to achieve silky, creamy porridge.
- Consistent stirring: to prevent burning.
- Low heat: It needs to cook low and slow. Don’t try to speed up the cooking process by boiling the porridge at a high heat.
- Serve immediately: While still hot for the best consistency.
- Adjust sweetness: Up or down, depending on your preference.
- Adjust consistency: Add a little more milk if you prefer it thinner.
- Choice of oats: Avoid using instant oats – go for rolled or old-fashioned oats.
- Get creative with toppings: Make this dish your own!
- Use a high-speed blender: This is key to a fine texture.
Variations
- Dairy-free/ vegan: Use a plant-based milk of choice.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats and check the label on your peanut butter (if using) to ensure it is free from gluten.
Optional add-ins
- Banana: add to blender for more sweetness an subtle banana flavors
- Dates: add pitted dates to the mixture for some delicious caramel flavors
- Cocoa powder: to add some chocolatey taste
- Spices like nutmeg, clove and cardamon
- Protein powder: add a scoop of protein powder for a boost in protein
- Flax and chia seeds for a superfood boost
Topping ideas
- Tropical topping: Toasted coconut, dried or fresh mango. Make sure to use coconut milk in the recipe.
- Fresh fruit: Use what’s seasonal – give it a winter or a summer twist.
- Caramel & Apple: A drizzle of my 2-Ingredient Caramel Sauce and baked or grated apple.
- Middle Eastern mix: Dried or fresh figs, honey, pomegranates, and toasted pistachios.
- Chai spice: Add some spice chai mix or some pumpkin spice as the season calls for it.
- Green bananas: Cook some sliced green bananas in a pan with vegan butter.
- Granola: Store-bought or try my Applesauce Granola.
Pairing
These are my favorite drinks to serve with this peanut porridge:
Storage
This porridge is best eaten immediately, but if you have leftovers, it can be stored later. Let the porridge cool completely before packing it into a sealed container.
The peanut porridge can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. You might need to add extra liquid when heating it as it thickens quite a bit.
FAQ
To some extent, peanut porridge can taste similar to peanut butter because both are based on peanuts. However, the overall flavor can be quite different- it tastes much more like raw peanuts with a strong nutty flavor.
Soaking peanuts before blending serves them a few purposes. 1. It softens them, which makes it easier to blend. 2. Soaking can help make the peanuts more digestible. 3. It improves the texture and flavor (much more subtle).
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Peanut Porridge
Equipment
- 1 blender
- 1 small saucepan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup raw peanuts *with skin
- ⅓ cup oats
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- peanut butter (optional)
Instructions
- Soak raw peanuts in ½ cup of water for at least 2 hours or overnight.¼ cup raw peanuts
- Drain and add soaked peanuts together with all the other ingredients to a (high-speed) blender. Blend until smooth.⅓ cup oats, ½ cup water, ½ cup milk, 3 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt
- Transfer the mix to a small saucepan. Let simmer on low to very low heat for about 1-2 minutes or until thickened while constantly stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon.
- Taste and adjust sweetness and texture. For a sweeter porridge, add more maple syrup, for a thinner, less sticky porridge, add a splash of milk.
- Add toppings of choice and enjoy immediately (it will continue to thicken).
Video
Tips & Notes
- Dairy-free/ vegan: Use a plant-based milk of choice.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- Don't skip soaking the peanuts: Soaking softens them and improves the texture and flavor (much more subtle).
- Stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Low heat: It needs to cook low and slow. Don’t try to speed up the cooking process by boiling the porridge at a high heat.
- Choice of oats: Avoid using instant oats – go for rolled or old-fashioned oats.
- Use a high-speed blender: This is key to a fine texture.
- Adjust consistency: Add a little more milk if you prefer it thinner.
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