A comforting, savory, healthy protein porridge oatmeal! This protein oatmeal is a creamy blend of vegan protein and frozen blueberries. It’s a high-protein breakfast recipe bursting with flavor.
Finding ways to kick off your day with a high-protein breakfast that isn’t eggs or a smoothie can be a challenge.
And if you’re like me and get a workout in during the wee hours of the morning, you’re probably getting sick of protein shakes for breakfast (even if they’re as yummy as this chunky monkey protein shake!)
Thankfully, this high-protein porridge is not only indulgent but fueling as well!
Bursting with flavor and swirled with coconut milk, it works as both a healthy, protein-packed breakfast or a warming, recovery-based post-workout meal (truly, as a Certified Nutrition Coach I use it for both!). Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
You'll fall in love with protein porridge because it's:
- Dairy-free and gluten-free (depending on oats)
- Easy to make
- Great for chilly mornings
- Has 14 grams of protein per serving
Ingredients You Need
This post-workout protein porridge is made with minimal ingredients to bring you all the flavor without all the work.
Rolled Oats: a great recovery meal, rolled oats are a complex carbohydrate that helps replenish your stores post-workout. Make sure to use “regular” oats and not quick oats to maintain the texture of the bowl (learn more about the differences in oats). And grab gluten-free as necessary!
Protein powder: the protein you choose will make a difference to both the texture and the flavor of the bowl (more on that below). This protein oatmeal uses vegan protein powder (one of the best ways to add protein to oatmeal) to give it its fuel and keep you full for hours.
Honey: part of the sweetness in this bowl comes from the protein and the other from raw honey.
Coconut milk: make this protein porridge extra creamy by using the thick part of the can and not the water.
Plant-Based milk: to counter the protein powder you’ll need a lot of milk. Use your favorite plant-based milk substitute (oat milk, soy milk, etc) but know that homemade hemp milk works best.
How To Make Protein Porridge From Scratch
- In a saucepot combine the oats, both milk, and water.
- Heat at just over medium until the mixture begins to bubble.
- Stir in the frozen blueberries and continue to cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and mix in the honey and protein powder.
- Portion into bowls and top with more blueberries, coconut cream, or pecans.
Step By Step Photos
Add Ons For The High Protein Breakfast
This blueberry protein porridge recipe is delicious all on its own.
And if you’re trying to moderate calories, keep it as is.
However, if you want a bowl full of comfort, add in any of the following ingredients to step it up a notch:
- Toasted coconut
- Pecans
- Coconut cream
- Nut butter
- Sliced bananas
- Chocolate chips
- More berries
- Crunchy granola
- Dairy-free caramel sauce because.. why not?
Important Teaching Tips
Due to the pea protein in vegan powder, it tends to absorb liquid very easily. However, each protein powder has a unique breakdown.
Thus, the protein powder you choose will affect the texture of the oatmeal.
Make sure not to heat the oatmeal too much when cooking/after adding the blueberries. You want a lot of liquid left to add in the protein powder.
Otherwise, it will turn into a sticky, thick mess versus creamy and smooth.
Fresh blueberries will work in place of frozen but you’ll want to add one tablespoon of water with them.
Likewise, the small “wild” blueberries work in place of the regular ones. Personally, we like the wild ones best because there’s more of them.
The high-protein powder oatmeal is delicious drizzled with nut butter but you can also add in something like peanut butter powder if that's your thing. Add in just 1 tablespoon at a time to start.
Choosing A Protein Powder
This protein porridge was made with Genuine Health’s Fermented Protein Powder.
Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder helps fuel your goals, recover and stay full.
Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, this vegan protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic. It’s also been voted one of the best tasting vegan protein powders.
But best of all is that this protein is fermented. This helps break down the “anti-nutrient” in grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes that often causes bloating.
This protein powder literally gives you the best of both worlds.
Though the protein oatmeal can be made with other protein powders, you’ll want to learn how to choose a protein powder for your goals before adjusting the recipe.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Protein Porridge
Yes! Adding protein powder into your morning oatmeal can make for a high-protein breakfast which will help keep you full. Likewise, consuming protein powder in oatmeal post-workout is a great way to help muscles recover after exercise. One thing to note though is that each protein powder is different in flavor and in the way it absorbs liquid. Both of these will affect the texture and flavor of the high protein oatmeal.
When adding protein to oatmeal you want to make sure to add it after cooking the oatmeal (and ensure there’s enough liquid to do so). Otherwise, the protein powder will absorb too much and you’ll be left with a sticky, dense, mess.
Both whey protein and vegan protein can be added to oatmeal. However, whey protein powders tend to be sweeter and absorb less liquid. Whereas vegan protein powders are pea-based and absorb more liquid. The kind of protein powder you choose will affect how you cook the oatmeal as well as the texture and the flavor.
Other High Protein, Dairy-Free Recipes You’ll Love
- Oven-baked protein oatmeal (make ahead breakfast!)
- Egg & veggie scramble
- Cookie dough overnight protein oats
- Protein trail mix cookies
- Gluten-free blueberry bagels
- Peanut butter overnight oats
- Easy cookie dough protein balls
- Slow cooker porridge
- Easy gluten-free bagels
- 4 Ingredient protein pancakes
- Easy banana protein pancakes
- Espresso overnight oats
- Healthy, no-bake protein bar
- How to choose a protein powder
- High protein snacks
- Healthy breakfasts
Blueberry Protein Oatmeal
Video
Equipment
- Small pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup regular rolled oats gluten-free as needed
- ½ cup frozen blueberries wild is best
- 1.25 cup hemp milk or almond milk
- ⅓ cup vegan protein powder
- 2 tbs honey
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine the oats, hemp milk, and half of the coconut milk.
- Heat over medium heat until a rolling boil just begins.
- Mix in the frozen blueberries and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. You want to keep as much liquid in the pot as possible (versus boiling it off).
- Remove from heat and stir in the honey and protein powder. Mix really well until all protein powder is combined.
- Swirl in the remaining coconut milk, portion into bowls and top with extra berries or pecans.
Notes
- Due to the pea protein in vegan protein powder, it tends to absorb liquid very easily. However, each protein powder has a unique breakdown.
- Thus, the protein powder you choose will affect the texture of the protein oatmeal.
- Make sure not to heat the oatmeal too much when cooking/after adding the blueberries. You want a lot of liquid left to add in the protein powder.
- Otherwise, it will turn into a sticky, thick mess versus creamy and smooth.
- Fresh blueberries will work in place of frozen but you’ll want to add one tablespoon of water with them.
- Oat milk, soy milk, and hemp milk all work in the recipe.
- Likewise, the small “wild” blueberries work in place of the regular ones. Personally, we like the wild ones best because there’s more of them.
- Learn more about Gluten-Free Pantry Staples to have on hand for this recipe!
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
KC says
Topped it with a handful of extra berries or some crunchy pecans and it was perfect!
fitasamamabear says
Pecans make oatmeal better every time 😀
Marie says
Adding protein to oatmeal is the only way it keeps me full for any substantial amount of time. It's such a great hack to make oatmeal work for you and not just drive up your blood sugar so you crash in an hour or two. The fat from the coconut milk is also great at helping with the satiety. Love this recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Yes!! It's such an easy add-in too.
sarah says
Easy and delicious to fuel you up for a day chasing the kids!
fitasamamabear says
Haha too true!
Jess says
Such a tasty breakfast
fitasamamabear says
The best!
nancy says
this sweet and savoury oatmeal porridge was perfect this week since I'm feeling a bit under the weather. So soothing.
fitasamamabear says
Glad it's a comfort!
Judith says
So tasty! A great idea for breakfast.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you like it!
Crystal says
This is my kind of breakfast- easy, healthy, and full of protein! Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
It's a great one for sure!
Rosanna says
Delicious! We loved this!
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo!
Giangi Townsend says
Great recipe and we all love it. A wonderful way to start our day.
Thank you for sharing.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoy it!
Audrey says
I’ve been trying to up my protein this was a great recipe
fitasamamabear says
Glad I can help!
Gen says
We feel amazing when we start the day with this oatmeal! Doesn’t hurt that it’s super tasty, too. Thank you for another excellent recipe!
fitasamamabear says
It's just so HEARTY!
Jenn says
This is so good on a chilly morning! I love how hearty and warm and satisfying it is, and the blueberries are the perfect touch of sweetness!
fitasamamabear says
The blueberries are definitely a nice pick em up!
Mandy Applegate says
This is a really great recipe for those mornings when you want something a little more substantial than just a shake. The blueberries and protein powder give it a nice flavor and the oats make it filling.
fitasamamabear says
It's definitely filling, I love the creaminess, makes it comforting!
Greta says
This is a perfect breakfast for me. Thanks for sharing it. It's saved!
fitasamamabear says
It's a comforting one for sure!
MacKenzie says
This is perfect! Thank you for sharing I’m always looking for high protein breakfast recipes.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoy it!