If you’ve ever wished breakfasts came with fewer battles and more smiles, chocolate porridge might just be your new best friend. Yes, it’s chocolate for brekkie… but stay with me. When made with oats, milk and a sensible amount of cocoa, chocolate porridge can be a surprisingly nutritious, kid-friendly option. 

Oats may support better digestion, improve satiety and provide long-lasting energy for children, thanks to their high fibre content (especially beta-glucans), which help keep blood sugar steadier through the morning. A study found that kids (11-13 years old), who eat whole-grain breakfasts may have better concentration at school compared with those who skip breakfast.

So if you want a meal that feels like a treat but fuels like a champion, this recipe ticks every box. 

Turn Breakfast Into a Family Wellness Habit

Start every morning with meals that are both kid-approved and nourishing. Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids shows you how to create simple, balanced breakfasts that make mornings fun, stress-free, and full of energy for the whole family.

Grab your copy of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids today and make healthy, happy mornings a reality for your family.

Why Make Chocolate Porridge?

Chocolate porridge is a simple way to give kids a nutritious start to the day. Oats are rich in fibre, slow-release carbs and essential minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc. A review on oat composition notes that oats also contain high-quality protein, unsaturated fats and unique antioxidants, along with β-glucan, a soluble fibre linked to healthy cholesterol and blood-sugar control. In short, oats offer far more than most cereals on a nutritional level.

Add cocoa powder and you bring in even more antioxidants. Pair it with milk or a fortified dairy alternative and you get a boost of calcium, which is crucial for growing bones.

In addition, research suggests that familiar tastes, like chocolate, may help picky eaters feel more comfortable trying foods they usually reject. Serving a well-loved chocolate flavour on a wholesome oat base can make breakfast easier, gentler and more enjoyable for selective eaters.

How to Make Chocolate Porridge

Making chocolate porridge is ridiculously easy and perfect for busy school mornings. Here’s a simple method:

1. Heat the oats and milk
Combine rolled oats and your choice of milk in a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat, stirring occasionally.

2. Add cocoa powder and sweetener
Mix in unsweetened cocoa powder. Add a small drizzle of honey or maple syrup if your kid prefers a sweeter flavour.

3. Stir until creamy
Let it thicken until you reach a velvety, pudding-like texture.

4. Adjust and serve
Taste, adjust sweetness and finish with your favourite toppings.

Easy Topping Ideas for Chocolate Porridge

A fun bowl topping can make breakfast feel more like dessert, minus the sugar rush. These additions add texture, colour and nutrients to your child’s morning bowl.

Sliced bananas and strawberries

Bananas add natural sweetness while strawberries bring a fresh, juicy contrast. Both fruits are rich in vitamin C and potassium, helping support immunity and energy.

Drizzle of honey or peanut butter

Honey adds a gentle sweetness, while peanut butter gives a creamy, protein-rich boost. Peanut butter also contains healthy fats which help kids stay fuller for longer.

Sprinkle of chia seeds or crushed nuts

Chia seeds offer omega-3s and fibre, while nuts contribute healthy fats and crunch. They’re great for texture and nutrition all in one sprinkle.

Mini chocolate chips for a treat

A few mini chips on top go a long way—kids feel like they’re having dessert, but you’re still in control of the sugar levels. It’s the perfect compromise.

Fresh berries and yoghurt swirl

Berries add antioxidants and colour, while a swirl of yoghurt brings creaminess and gut-friendly probiotics. It also balances the chocolate flavour beautifully.

Make breakfast both nutritious and delicious! Try our Breakfast For Fussy Eaters: Recipes That Actually Work for simple, kid-friendly ideas.

The Bottom Line

Chocolate porridge proves you don’t have to choose between nutritious and delicious. With wholesome oats, antioxidant-rich cocoa and kid-approved toppings, it’s a breakfast that fuels the day without the fuss. Try different toppings, adjust the sweetness and make it your own. You might even find yourself sneaking a spoonful too.

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Meet Dr Nick Fuller

My Story

As a father, I know first-hand that raising healthy and happy children is tricky. Children are fussy, particularly at the end of the day when they are shattered. We also live in a society where companies seek to profit from what we feed our kids; incorrect and damaging advice is pushed on us and marketed towards our children, and we have no time.

But with these recipes and resources, you and your children can enjoy simple and well-founded food and lifestyle choices for lifelong health.