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Peanut Porridge is a hearty, creamy, luscious porridge made with raw peanuts, quick oats, warm spices, and sweetened condensed milk for a sweet, comforting breakfast. Learn how to make Jamaican peanut porridge from scratch in less than 20 minutes with this easy recipe!
For more Jamaican porridge recipes, try my Hominy Corn Porridge, Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge and this Jamaican Green Banana Porridge recipe next!
Table of Contents
- Peanut Porridge
- Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- What is Peanut Porridge?
- Health Benefits of Peanut Porridge
- What Does Jamaican Peanut Porridge Taste Like?
- What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)
- Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Jamaican Peanut Porridge
- How to Make Vegan Peanut Porridge
- Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Peanut Porridge
- Serving Suggestions and Tips
- Recipe Variations and Substitution
- Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Interested in more Jamaican Recipes? Check These Out!
- Peanut Porridge Recipe
- DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
- ARE YOU STILL HUNGRY?
Peanut Porridge
Sweet, nutty and velvety smooth, nothing beats a warm bowl of peanut porridge first thing in the morning. This popular Caribbean porridge is a breakfast staple across Jamaican households and it’s bound to become your new favourite breakfast too!
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- A Healthy Breakfast – with heart-healthy oats and peanuts packed with good fats, protein and fiber, this porridge is a nutritious meal that keeps you satisfied until lunchtime.
- Totally Customizable – whether you make it with milk or vegan ingredients, it’s absolutely delicious. Try some of my other suggested add-ins for a yummy twist.
- Easy to Make – this ingredient list is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that don’t require a trip to a special grocery store. In fact, you probably already have everything you need to make this in your kitchen right now!
What is Peanut Porridge?
Peanut porridge is a Jamaican porridge made with raw peanuts, water, milk, spices and sweeteners. It’s a popular street food in Jamaica, served out of huge pots along the side of the road. It’s usually served at breakfast.
Health Benefits of Peanut Porridge
Jamaican peanut porridge with oats is the perfect way to start your day. Here are some of the benefits:
- Naturally gluten-free.
- An excellent source of protein.
- A well-balanced vegetarian or vegan meal.
- Lowers cholesterol, which helps to prevent heart disease.
- Contains fiber which supports a healthy digestive system.
- Rich in iron, a mineral that reduces fatigue and energizes the body.
What Does Jamaican Peanut Porridge Taste Like?
Peanut porridge is sweet with a nutty taste. The added nutmeg and cinnamon give it a warm, cozy flavour.
What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)
- Blender – to combine peanuts, oats, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla into a smooth purée.
- Medium Saucepan – to cook the porridge.
- Whisk – used when the peanut and oat mixture is initially added to the boiling water.
- Wooden Spoon – to smooth out any lumps for a creamy consistency.
Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
* MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE LISTED IN THE RECIPE CARD NEAR THE BOTTOM OF PAGE *
- Raw Peanuts – use unsalted, redskin peanuts. Ensure they are raw and not roasted peanuts.
- Quick Oats – this adds nutrients and thickens the breakfast porridge.
- Milk – divided.
- Water – the base of the porridge.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – this adds more flavour to the porridge and makes the other flavours pop.
- Spices – ground nutmeg or freshly grated, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – or sugar, sweeten to taste
How to Make Jamaican Peanut Porridge
In a medium saucepan, add water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Then, in a blender (or blender cup), combine the peanuts, oats, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Purée until you’ve reached your desired texture (silky smooth or with some texture).
Pour mixture into boiling water and whisk constantly to prevent lumping. Continue to whisk until mixture has thickened. After approx. 5 to 7 minutes, or when porridge has thickened and has slow large bubbles, add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk or water to thin porridge to your desired consistency.
Stir with a spoon and let simmer on low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes then sweeten with condensed milk or sugar to taste. Serve hot, and enjoy!
How to Make Vegan Peanut Porridge
Follow the instructions above or on the recipe card, swapping out the milk and condensed milk for coconut milk (or almond milk or oat milk) and dairy free coconut condensed milk. If you can’t find the vegan condensed milk, replace it with sugar.
Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Peanut Porridge
- When purchasing peanuts, ensure they are clean with unbroken shells and do not have a rancid odor.
- If you don’t have a high speed blender, soak the peanuts overnight in water.
- This cooks quickly but needs to be closely monitored. Continue to stir periodically as it cooks in order to ensure the porridge doesn’t get lumpy.
Serving Suggestions and Tips
Serve peanut porridge with Jamaican water crackers or hardo bread.
Recipe Variations and Substitution
- Flour – don’t like oatmeal? Use flour instead. It thickens the porridge and gives it a smoother texture.
- Green Banana or Plantains – for a heartier porridge and a naturally sweetener, add either or both. This is often what street vendors use for traditional Jamaican peanut porridge.
- Sweeteners – use brown sugar or white granulated sugar as a replacement for sweetened condensed milk. Depending on how sweet you like your peanut porridge, use both.
- Peanut Butter – this enhances the overall flavour of the porridge and boosts the peanut flavour. Add the peanut butter to the blender. You may need to add additional milk if the porridge becomes too thick.
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
Yes. Make enough for meal prep and enjoy this porridge all week long for breakfast. To save some prep time, deshell your peanuts ahead of time.
Storage Instructions
Store peanut porridge after it has completely cooled. Then place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave or use the stovetop. As it cools, the porridge thickens so add more milk or water if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The blended peanut mixture is added to a pot of boiling water over medium heat. Once the mixture is combined with the water, the porridge boils for about 15 minutes.
Add water in increments of one tablespoon and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Blend more oats and add them to the porridge as it continues cooking on the stove.
Constantly whisk the porridge in order to prevent it from lumping. You can also strain the porridge after it is cooked.
Interested in more Jamaican Recipes? Check These Out!
- Hominy Corn Porridge
- Green Banana Porridge
- Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
- Jamaican Stew Peas
- Jamaican Ginger Beer
- Bulla Cake
- Ackee and Saltfish
- Roast Breadfruit
- Jamaican Easter Bun
- Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding
- Jamaican Banana Fritters
Peanut Porridge
Equipment
- Blender
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup Raw Peanuts, unsalted, redskin
- 1 cup Quick Oats
- 2 cups Milk, divided
- 3 cups Water
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg, or freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- pinch Salt
- Sweetened Condensed Milk, or sugar, sweeten to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add water and bring to a boil over medium heat. In a blender (or blender cup), combine the peanuts, oats, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Purée until you've reached your desired texture (silky smooth or with some texture).
- Pour mixture into boiling water and whisk constantly to prevent lumping. Continue to whisk until mixture has thickened. After approx. 5 to 7 minutes, or when porridge has thickened and has slow large bubbles, add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk or water to thin porridge to your desired consistency.
- Stir with a spoon and let simmer on low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes then sweeten with condensed milk or sugar to taste. Serve hot, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Do you grind the oatmeal, peanuts and spices (as in the pictures) first and then add the liquids or just put all in blender????
Hi Bobby! Great question, I add all the ingredients in the blender and then puree. No need to do them separately! Hope this helps! Also, don’t forget to adjust the thickness by adding more/less water or milk! Hope you enjoy!