spiced apple porridge.

Spiced Apple & Pumpkin Seed Porridge

This spiced apple and pumpkin seed porridge is a cozy, nourishing breakfast that serves one but can easily be scaled up for meal prep. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a warm, balanced start to the day.

Ingredients 

• 40 g jumbo oats

• 1 tsp flax seeds

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

• 250 ml milk of choice

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Apple topping (makes enough for 2–3 servings)

• 2 medium apples, chopped in cubes

• 1 tsp butter

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey (optional)

• Splash of water

• 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds (toasted for crunch)

• A dollop of probiotic or Greek yoghurt
  

Method

1. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, cinnamon, ginger, and a splash of water or juice. Cook for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and caramelised. Stir in maple syrup or honey at the end and set aside.

2. In a separate pan, gently simmer the oats, 200 ml milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir only every couple of minutes to keep the oats creamy but with a bit of bite. Once cooked, remove from the heat. Stir in the protein powder and flax seeds, loosening with the remaining 50 ml milk to reach your desired consistency.

3. In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds for 2–3 minutes until golden and popping. Set aside.

4. Spoon the creamy porridge into a bowl. Top with a generous scoop of warm spiced apples. Add a dollop of yoghurt, sprinkle over the toasted pumpkin seeds, and drizzle with a little extra maple syrup if desired.

Gut Health Benefits

Apples are rich in pectin, a prebiotic fibre that helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support healthy digestion. Pumpkin seeds provide both fiber and zinc, which can help maintain a balanced gut microbiome and support overall digestive health.