Air-Fried Porridge: A Quick, Easy Breakfast Option

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's not hard to see why. They're one of the cheapest and healthiest cooking appliances on the market. Air fryers can give food a crispy texture without using any oil, and they're also more versatile than you might think. While they're typically used for cooking chips, chicken nuggets, and sausages, you can also make porridge in an air fryer. This paragraph will discuss the benefits of making porridge in an air fryer and provide a simple recipe for those interested in trying it out.

Air fryer porridge recipe

Porridge is a great breakfast option, and you can make it in an air fryer! This recipe will guide you through the simple process of making a warm and comforting bowl of porridge using your air fryer. It's a quick, easy, and hassle-free method that delivers perfectly cooked oats every time.

Ingredients:

• Oats (rolled or old-fashioned oats are recommended)
• Water (boiling)
• Milk (optional, for a creamier texture)
• Salt
• Toppings of your choice (chocolate, Biscoff, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc.)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Ovenproof dish or ceramic bowl that fits in your air fryer
• Kitchen towels or oven mitts

Instructions:

• Place your desired amount of oats in the oven-proof dish or bowl. A 6-inch baking pan or dish is ideal for cooking one cup of oats to prevent overflow.
• Pour boiling water over the oats and give it a good stir. You can also add milk for a creamier texture.
• Place the dish in the air fryer and set the temperature to 180°C or 350°F. Set the timer for 5 minutes for the oats to soften and thicken.
• After 5 minutes, remove the dish from the air fryer and add your favourite toppings. You can add chocolate or Biscoff for a sweet treat, or go for healthier options like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.
• Put the dish back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. This step will gently melt your toppings and give them a slight crisp.
• Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer using kitchen towels or oven mitts as it will be hot.
• Enjoy your warm and delicious air fryer porridge!

Tips:

• If you prefer a creamier porridge, use milk instead of water or add a combination of both.
• Avoid using steel-cut oats as they require a longer cooking time and may not achieve the desired creamy texture.
• For a sweetener, you can add maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar to your porridge.
• Get creative with your toppings! You can add fresh or dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or even a drizzle of Nutella.
• Always be cautious when handling hot dishes and use appropriate protection, such as oven mitts or kitchen towels.

Ingredients and toppings

The ingredients you'll need for air fryer porridge are simple: oats, water, and salt. You can also add milk to make your porridge creamier. If you're making oatmeal, it's best to use old-fashioned rolled oats or gluten-free oats for the best results, and avoid steel-cut oats.

For toppings, you can get creative and choose from a variety of options to customise your porridge. Here are some ideas:

• Sweeteners: Maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, coconut sugar, or plain white sugar.
• Fresh fruits: Banana, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
• Dried fruits: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates.
• Nuts: Toasted almonds, walnuts, pecans, or peanuts.
• Seeds: Pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Nut butter: Almond butter, peanut butter, or sun butter.
• Decadent toppings: Grated dark chocolate, chocolate chips, whipped cream, Nutella, or sprinkles.
• Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cardamom, or pumpkin spice.

You can also try out different flavour combinations for your porridge. Here are some suggestions:

• Banana nut: Chopped banana, walnuts, and cinnamon.
• Pumpkin spice: Brown sugar, canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and a splash of cream.
• Chocolate peanut butter: Peanut butter, cocoa powder, and honey or maple syrup.
• Chocolate almond butter: Almond butter, cocoa powder, honey, and sliced banana.
• Maple and brown sugar: Maple syrup, brown sugar, chopped toasted pecans, and ground cinnamon.
• Strawberries and cream: Chopped strawberries, a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk, and honey.
• Carrot cake: Finely grated carrot, golden brown sugar, raisins, chopped walnuts, and ground cinnamon. Top with lightly sweetened Greek yogurt.
• Pina colada: Finely chopped pineapple, shredded coconut, and a dash of coconut milk.
• Black forest cake: Chopped fresh Bing cherries, cocoa powder, sugar, a dash of cherry liqueur, and whipped cream.
• Birthday cake: Sugar, vanilla extract, and sprinkles.

Ovenproof dish

Yes, you can make porridge in an air fryer! It's a great way to make a quick, easy, and tasty breakfast with minimal ingredients and preparation.

To make porridge in an air fryer, you'll need an ovenproof dish that fits inside your air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Place your chosen oats (rolled oats or steel-cut oats are recommended) in the ovenproof dish.
• Pour boiling water or milk over the oats. You can also add your choice of milk, such as almond or oat milk, for a creamier texture.
• Give the mixture a good stir to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
• Place the dish inside the air fryer. Set the temperature to 180°C or 350°F and cook for about 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, check on the porridge. It should be starting to soften and thicken. Give it a stir to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
• If you'd like to add any toppings or mix-ins, such as chocolate, cinnamon, nuts, or dried fruit, do so now. You can return the dish to the air fryer for another 30 seconds to 1 minute to gently melt the toppings.
• Your porridge is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Using an air fryer to make porridge offers several benefits. It's a faster and more energy-efficient method compared to traditional stovetop cooking. The air fryer also provides consistent heating, resulting in evenly cooked porridge with a crispy top. Additionally, the air fryer is easier to clean than a pot, making it a convenient option for busy mornings.

However, it's important to note that the intense heat of an air fryer may require a slight adjustment in temperature and cooking time. Lower the temperature by around 25°F (or 15°C) and increase the cooking time by a few minutes to achieve the perfect creamy consistency. Remember to stir the porridge occasionally during the cooking process.

With these simple steps and adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of porridge made right in your air fryer, exploring new flavours and textures beyond the traditional stovetop method.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time settings for your air fryer porridge will depend on the type of oats used and the consistency you are aiming for.

For a simple porridge made with oats and water, set the temperature to 350°F and the timer for 15 minutes. After this, stir in your desired add-ins, then return the bowl to the air fryer, reducing the temperature to 300°F for another 15 minutes.

If you are making a baked oatmeal dish, a higher temperature of 350°F to 400°F for 10-13 minutes will give your porridge a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior.

For a basic oatmeal, a lower temperature of 180°C for 5-6 minutes will be sufficient to soften the oats, and you can add 30 seconds to a minute more to gently melt toppings such as Biscoff or chocolate.

When cooking porridge in an air fryer, it is important to remember that the intense heat may require a slightly lower temperature to avoid overcooking or burning. Therefore, you may need to decrease the temperature by around 25°F (or 15°C) and increase the cooking time by 5-7 minutes per cup of oats to achieve the desired consistency.

Stirring and serving

Once your porridge is cooked, carefully remove the hot pan using kitchen towels or oven mitts. Place it on a wire rack. Stir in your choice of toppings, such as brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup, or chocolate. You can also add fresh or dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or other ingredients like nut butter or yogurt. Cover the pan and let the porridge rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the oats to soften and thicken. Then, serve and enjoy!

If you want your toppings to melt, like chocolate, place the dish back in the air fryer for 30 seconds to 1 minute after adding your toppings.

Frequently asked questions