5 min to make, this easy and healthy oatmeal cereal with hazelnuts and raw cocoa powder is a great way to introduce hazelnuts to your baby or toddler. Made with simple yet filling ingredients, a breakfast oatmeal cereal that will keep your baby happy and satisfied.
I love the taste of chocolate and hazelnuts together. It's that Nutella flavor that just can't be beat. And combining these flavors doesn't have to be unhealthy. We can use chocolate in its healthiest form and incorporate it into a delicious and nutritious meal that can even be served to your baby.
And the best thing about it is that it doesn't have to be a dessert. With no added sugar, this recipe is perfect for a regular, normal breakfast that you can make for your baby and toddler, and that the whole family can enjoy.
Why we love this recipe:
- Easy toddler oatmeal cereal recipe
- Get to give toddler or baby hazelnuts in a safe way
- Full of antioxidants from cocoa powder
- Healthy family breakfast oatmeal
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Ingredients
- Raw cocoa powder - has super-powerful catechins. These help protect the body from all kinds of different diseases. It also has a high amount of magnesium and copper, minerals that are essential for the normal functioning of the body. Check out FAQ below on when you can serve cocoa powder to baby.
- Oats - source of complex carbohydrates, keeping your little one full for longer and providing fiber to aid the digestive system.
- Hazelnuts - provide healthy fats, as well as some vitamin E, copper, and manganese. We use ground here but you can also use hazelnut butter.
- Nutmeg - optional topping with a slightly sweet taste. As a bonus, it has been shown to be good for the immune and digestive systems as well.
How to make? Step-by-step instructions
This is a quick and easy breakfast oatmeal to prepare, even with a hungry toddler waiting to be fed! And if they really can't wait, hand over some strawberries while the oats are cooking.
1. Put the oats in a pot with water and bring to a boil
2. Once boiled, continue to cook over low-to-medium heat until the oats absorb all the water. If you want the oatmeal looser then add more water.
3. About 2-3 minutes prior to the end of cooking, stir in the raw cocoa powder, nutmeg and ground hazelnuts.
4. Once finished, allow to cool.
5. Serve with strawberries or any berries you have, either by mixing them in the cereal or cutting them on the side. You can roll the oatmeal into a ball for easier baby-led weaning or serve with ergonomic cutlery to help your toddler learn to eat with a spoon more easily.
FAQ
Yes. However raw cocoa powder does contain small amounts of caffeine. The amount used in this recipe shouldn't be a problem even for small babies but not all children are the same.
So I would recommend you give raw cocoa powder to your baby for the first time in the morning and watch for any possible hyperactivity symptoms.
Yes. Hazelnuts are a great source of energy, healthy fats and protein and they definitely should be a part of your baby's diet. Since they are a choking hazard serve them ground or in the form of nut butter.
Allergic reactions can vary from small rashes that look benign to severe allergic reactions such as the inability to breathe and anaphylactic shock.
If you don't have a history of food allergies in your family give nuts as any other new food (in the morning ideally) and watch for any reactions.
Severe allergic reactions occur in the first 15 minutes of food ingestion. If you have a family history of nut or any other food allergies, please consult your baby's doctor.
Top Tips
- For looser oatmeal use more water in the cooking process
- Teach toddlers to use spoons by using specific ergonomic cutlery when serving this oatmeal
Possible recipe variations
- Use different nuts - using ground nuts or a nut butter is a great way to introduce different nuts to your baby or toddler. Think of the nuts your baby hasn't tried yet. You can offer cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts etc.
- Use a different grain - ok, it wouldn't be oatmeal cereal then, but you can also replace oats with buckwheat, millet or even quinoa in the recipe
More Baby & Toddler Oatmeal Recipes
If you've tried this or any other recipe on the blog, then please rate it and leave us a comment below!
Recipe
Baby Hazelnut Oatmeal Cereal
Ingredients
- 1½ tbsp oats
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tsp raw cocoa powder optional
- 2 tsp ground hazelnuts or hazelnut butter
- 3 strawberries
- pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Put the oats in a pot with water and bring to a boil
- Once boiled, continue to cook over low-to-medium heat until the oats absorb all the water.
- About 2-3 minutes prior to the end of cooking, stir in the raw cocoa powder, nutmeg and ground hazelnuts
- Once finished, allow to cool.
- Serve with strawberries or any berries you have, either by mixing them in the cereal or cutting them on the side. You can roll the oatmeal into a ball for easier baby-led weaning or serve with ergonomic cutlery to help your toddler learn to eat with a spoon more easily.
Video
Notes
- Oatmeal cereal consistency - to make it looser add more water.
- Use ground hazelnuts or hazelnut butter as whole hazelnuts are a choking hazard.
Nutrition
If you've tried this or any other recipe on the blog, then please rate it and leave us a comment below!
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