Amaranth porridge

This creamy instant pot amaranth porridge is high in protein and a more nutritious option for breakfast or dessert.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

I discovered Amaranth in researching how to introduce solid foods to my baby. I then came across the “flavour window”. As babies are being introduced to solid food, this window allows babies to be willing to try more flavours and textures. Eventually, when they enter toddlerhood and beyond, they are therefore used to more foods and this helps to reduce picky eating.

When I first made this porridge, I applied what I knew from making oats as a porridge for myself. What I did not realise was how much longer it would take than the recipe I had found online said! I made the porridge on the stove and it took a long time for the porridge to get soft and not have a hardness to it. I therefore needed to keep adding liquid and had to keep stirring the porridge to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

As a way to avoid these problems, I then had an idea to try making the porridge in the Instant Pot as I knew steel cut oats (which is a more longer-to-cook type of oat) could be made in the Instant Pot. Now, the Instant Pot is the only way I make amaranth porridge as it takes less of my time and comes out how I like it every time.

This porridge is good for breakfast as you can add your nuts, seeds and fruit to it with milk. But I also like having this as a desert option as you could have it a little bit sweeter with some peanut butter, milk and butter and it satisfies my sweet tooth.

What is amaranth?

Amaranth is a seed, similar to quinoa, and is grown in Asia, North America and South America. It is a pseudocereal which means amaranth is a seed that can be made into a cereal whereas normal cereals are made from grass.

Nutritional Properties of amaranth

• Amaranth is free from gluten
• Is high in protein and dietary fibre, vitamin B6 and folate
• Cooking reduces the nutritional properties of amaranth but is still a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and manganese.

Amaranth porridge Video

Here is a step-by-step video showing and explaining how to make this creamy amaranth porridge.

Tips for making Amaranth porridge

1. Using the instant pot is easier than cooking the amaranth on the stove. When I tried to cook the porridge on the stove, it required stirring frequently to avoid sticking to the bottom and adding liquid. Meanwhile, the InstantPot can be set and left until the porridge is done.
2. Depending on your preference, the liquid used to cook the porridge can be changed. I have tried almond milk but I imagine using cashew or coconut milk could be nice as well. Using whole milk as the only liquid will give the most creamy porridge.
3. When the porridge cools down, it becomes thicker. Therefore to reheat the porridge, I like to heat it on the stove and add more liquid until its the consistency I like.
4. Additions that can be added to the porridge are:
   • mashed banana
   • dried white mulberries
   • cocoa nibs
   • hemp hearts
   • pumpkin seeds
   • sunflower seeds
   • extra milk depending on how you prefer the consistency of your porridge

Tips for making Amaranth porridge suitable for Baby Led Weaning

1. The amount of good fat that you can include in babies meals will help in the development of their brain and body. Therefore I prefer to use whole milk and add unsalted butter to make the porridge extra rich and creamy.
2. To add sweetness to the porridge, I like to add mashed banana.
3. Adding tahini (sesame seed paste) and smooth unsalted peanut butter helps to expose your baby to allergenic foods regularly.
4. To expose baby to the tree nut allergen, I like to add almond milk for up to half of the cooking liquid. If this is done, I recommend not giving any other allergens like dairy, tahini or peanut butter with the porridge unless you know that your baby is not allergic to these.

How long does the amaranth porridge keep in the fridge and freezer?

The porridge keeps in the fridge for 5 days.

It lasts in the freezer for up to 6 months – I like to freeze the porridge into pre-measured portions so I can defrost only what I need.

Amaranth porridge Recipe

Ingredients you will need:

1 cup amaranth

2 cups whole milk (you can also use other milks in this recipe – I have tried almond milk. If another milk is used in addition to whole milk, be sure that the total amount of milk is 2 cups).

1 cup water

1 teaspoon sweet cinnamon (this is optional but I recommend adding it as it gives a lovely taste and flavour to the porridge)

How to make Amaranth porridge

1. To the instant pot, add the amaranth.

2. Then add the liquid – i.e. : milk and water. I chose to use whole milk and almond milk so this is what I am adding to the Instant Pot at this stage.

3. Then add the sweet cinnamon.

4. Use a whisk or spatula to mix the ingredients together and scrape down the sides of the Instant Pot.

5. Put on the lid of the Instant Pot and close it. Then set your Instant pot on High Pressure for 12 minutes on High.

6. Then allow for natural release for 10 minutes then do a quick release of the pressure.

7. When you’ve taken the lid off, stir the porridge and serve while hot. The consistency of the porridge should be that when you run the spatula through it, there remains a space in the porridge.

Tools you may need:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Instant Pot

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Pin it for later