Refined-sugar-free healthy chocolate oatmeal with cocoa powder and sweetened with a mashed banana is perfect for toddlers, kids and the whole family.
Made in just 5 minutes, in one pot, with chia seeds and milk (whole or plant-based), it is a breakfast oatmeal for toddlers that will keep them energized and full for hours.
We already have a number of oatmeal recipes but you can never have enough breakfast recipes, right? Especially with rolled oats.
The fact that you can combine different kinds of milk (dairy and non-dairy), fruit, nuts (or nut butters), cinnamon, or cocoa powder, must make oatmeal the most frequent breakfast served to babies and toddlers.
At least in our house.
This chocolate oatmeal with cocoa powder, chia seeds, and mashed banana is the ideal recipe for a morning where you are in a rush but still need to whip up something wholesome and filling for your little one.
Why we love it
- 5 min breakfast oatmeal
- Perfect oatmeal for toddlers
- Refined-sugar-free, using mashed banana as a sweetener
- Contains antioxidant-rich cocoa powder for the chocolate taste
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Ingredients
- Banana - a ripe banana is easier to mash (and sweeter). Bananas are primarily made of carbohydrates so they keep your child full and give them lots of energy. Also high in potassium.
- Rolled oats - cook more easily and are easier for toddlers to eat but really any kind will do. They are a great source of complex carbs and fiber and minerals like manganese and potassium.
- Whole milk - for babies and toddlers between 1 and 2 years old, who can tolerate dairy, I would recommend using whole milk. For the older ones, skimmed milk should be fine. An excellent source of fat, protein and calcium.
- Chia seeds - give this oatmeal the perfect consistency (but are optional in the recipe). Good source of fiber and the "healthy" fats.
- Cocoa powder - gives the oatmeal its chocolate taste (and color). Use the raw unsweetened version as it contains phytonutrients that have strong antioxidants and therefore can support heart health.
- Cocoa powder does a little caffeine. It shouldn't be an issue in the amounts used for this recipe, however, some kids may be more sensitive to caffeine so I would advise offering it for the first time in the morning and watching out for any hypersensitivity "symptoms".
How To Make
1. Prepare the ingredients. Mash the banana with a fork.
2. Cook the oatmeal. Put the oats and milk into a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Mix the rest of the ingredients. Lower the heat and mix in the mashed banana, chia seeds, and cocoa powder.
4. Remove the pot from the heat once your oatmeal has reached the desired consistency.
3. Cool and serve. Allow to cool before serving. We love to serve it with a teaspoon of peanut or hazelnut butter and some raspberries or strawberries.
Top Tips
Use instant rolled oats. They are faster to cook and easier for baby/toddler to eat.
Use cutlery to teach a toddler to use a spoon independently. We use the ergonomic Doddle cutlery.
FAQ
Babies and toddlers CAN have chocolate since they start eating solid food. However, the general advice is to avoid added sugars until the age of 1 (ideally 2). The reason for this is that we are all biologically accustomed to the sweet taste so if we start offering added sugars from day 1, it may result in babies and toddlers refusing to eat other foods which are nutritionally superior to chocolate and sweets.
Yes, you can use the same amount of plant-based milk or water as we use whole milk in the recipe. We often use unsweetened oat or almond milk.
Yes. If you use bigger rolled oats your cooking time will most likely double as they need longer to soften and cook. You could also use steel-cut oats if that is what your family prefers but they tend to be a little harder for babies to eat.
Variations
Mix the seeds. Flaxseed is an excellent substitute for chia seeds since it also has the ability to thicken the oatmeal but any other seeds (or nuts) of choice can be a great alternative.
Give it your own touch. Experiment with spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to make this healthy chocolate oatmeal for toddlers taste even better.
Make oat-pudding. Another great way is to add all ingredients (except milk) into a blender and blend until you have a flour-like consistency. Then simply add the milk and cook until you have an oat pudding.
More Breakfast Recipes
If you've tried this or any other recipe on the blog, then please rate it and leave us a comment below!
Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal for Toddlers
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp raw cocoa powder
Instructions
- Mash the banana with a fork.
- Put the oats and milk into a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Lower the heat and mix in the mashed banana, chia seeds and cocoa powder.
- Move the pot from the heat once your oatmeal has reached the desired consistency.
- Allow to cool before serving. Serve with nut butter and/or fruit.
Notes
Variations
Mix the seeds. Flaxseed is an excellent substitute for chia seeds since it also has the ability to thicken the oatmeal but any other seeds (or nuts) of choice can be a great alternative. Give it your own touch. Experiment with spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to make this healthy chocolate oatmeal for toddlers taste even better. Make oat-pudding. Another great way is to add all ingredients (except milk) into a blender and blend until you have a flour-like consistency. Then simply add the milk and cook until you have an oat pudding. Substitute plant-based milk. Use whichever kind of milk you prefer - we often use unsweetened oat or almond milk.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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