Favorite Chia Seed Oatmeal – Yummy Toddler Food

With an easy method and the option to flavor with a range of fruit, Chia Seed Oatmeal is a delicious, nutritious breakfast for kids…and parents! You can make one batch to share or even double it to warm up for easy breakfasts all week long.

I love oatmeal of all kinds—oatmeal with fruit, banana bread oatmeal, carrot cake oatmeal—and I really love adding in extra nutrition so it’s both filling and yummy. Chia seeds are awesome in oatmeal because they add fiber and healthy fats and soften up nicely.

They can also help the oatmeal hold together so older babies and 1-year-olds can enjoy it easily as a finger food for baby. And it’s a favorite high fiber food for kids.

This recipe is straightforward and involves cooking the oats, adding milk and chia seeds, and choosing a fruit for flavor (and more vitamins) if you’d like. You can use fresh, dried, or frozen fruit depending on what you have.

(You may also like these yummy options for chia seeds: Coconut Chia Pudding, Chocolate Chia Pudding, Blueberry Chia Jam.)

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe for Chia Seed Oatmeal, you will need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.

• Rolled oats: Often called “old-fashioned oatmeal,” look for these in the cereal aisle of your supermarket.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds cozy flavor to this oatmeal recipe.
• Pure vanilla extract: This is optional but recommended for flavor.
• Chia seeds: You can use the more typical black chia seeds or white ones (which may visually blend in a little more).
• Milk: You can use whole dairy milk or any nondairy milk you prefer.
• Add-ins: Fresh or frozen berries, raisins, or banana are all great additions to this oatmeal.

TIP: I love this topped with extra fruit and granola, so you have a lot of options here to build on the base recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use a different type of oats, including instant or steel-cut and you can even make this one serving at a time in the microwave if you prefer. Look in the Notes at the very bottom of the recipe for all of those options.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s the process for making this Chia Seed Oatmeal recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.

1. Add the water, oats, cinnamon, and vanilla to a pot.
2. Bring to a simmer and cook until the oats are just soft.
3. Add the milk and chia seeds.
4. Add the fruit and cook for just a few more minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.

TIP: I like to cook the oats in water to start, then add a little milk to make them extra creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat to serve, adding milk as desired if the oatmeal thickens in storage.

Best Tips for Success

• Divide the recipe in half to make a smaller amount.
• Make the base recipe, then stir in your desired fruit when you reheat the portions to change things up throughout the week.
• To Make One Serving in the Microwave: Add ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 cup water to a heat-safe bowl. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in 2 tablespoons dried fruit or ½ cup fresh fruit and 2 teaspoons chia seeds, and cook for an additional minute. Serve with milk.
• To Make with Steel-Cut Oats: Use 1 cup steel-cut oats and 4 cups water. Simmer on medium-low heat until the oats are soft, about 20 minutes. Stir in milk and chia seeds as directed above.
• To Make with Instant Oats: Use 2 cups quick or instant oats and 4 cups water. Simmer on medium-low heat until the oats are soft and the water is absorbed, about 5-8 minutes.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
• Dairy-free: Use your favorite nondairy milk.
• You may also like Banana Bread Oatmeal, How to Make Oatmeal with Fruit, Baby Oatmeal, Quinoa Cereal, and Instant Oatmeal.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment and rate the recipe below!

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Fruit Add-In (choose one, optional)

Get Recipe Ingredients

• Heat 4 cups water in a medium pot over high heat.

• When about to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and add the oats, cinnamon, and vanilla.

• Cook, stirring often, until the oats are softened and the water is absorbed, about 4-6 minutes.

• Stir in the chia seeds, milk, and fruit of choice, if using.

• Cook for an additional 4-6 minutes or until the fruit is soft and the liquid is absorbed.

• Remove from the heat. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.

• Serve warm with any additional toppings and additional milk.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat to serve, adding milk as desired.
• Divide the recipe in half to make a smaller amount.
• Make the base recipe, then stir in your desired fruit of choice when you reheat the portions to change things up throughout the week.
• To Make One Serving in the Microwave: Add ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 cup water to a heat-safe bowl. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in 2 tablespoons dried fruit or ½ cup fresh fruit and 2 teaspoons chia seeds, and cook for an additional minute. Serve with milk.
• To Make with Steel-Cut Oats: Use 1 cup steel-cut oats and 4 cups water. Simmer on medium-low heat until the oats are soft, about 20 minutes. Stir in milk and chia seeds as directed above.
• To Make with Instant Oats: Use 2 cups quick or instant oats and 4 cups water. Simmer on medium-low heat until the oats are soft and the water is absorbed, about 5-8 minutes.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
• Dairy-free: Use your favorite nondairy milk.

Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 207mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 42IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 2mg

This post was first published March 2022.