We all love a good bowl of porridge on a cold winter morning – it’s nourishing, comforting, and just the right kind of warm hug to start your day. But let’s be honest: plain oats and milk can get a little… predictable.

So if your porridge is feeling a bit beige, we’ve got you covered. Here are some simple but delicious ways to take your winter breakfast from basic to beautiful – with toppings, textures, and flavours that make your mornings worth waking up for. Grab your oats either standard or wheat free from the bulk section. You can also choose from rolled oats or quick oats.

🍎 1. Poached Fruit & Spiced Syrup

Top your oats with poached pears, apples, or plums simmered in a splash of orange juice, cinnamon, and star anise. The syrup soaks into the porridge, giving it a fruity, spiced depth that feels like dessert-for-breakfast – in the best way.

Bonus tip: Add a dollop of Greek yoghurt or crème fraîche for contrast.

🥥 2. Coconut Cream & Toasted Nuts

Cook your oats with a mix of coconut milk and water for a tropical twist, then top with toasted almonds, walnuts or pepitas, a drizzle of honey, and a spoonful of coconut cream.

It’s rich, nutty, and slightly exotic – like your porridge went on a spa retreat.

🍫 3. Cacao, Banana & Nut Butter Swirl

For the chocoholics (guilty!), stir in a spoonful of raw cacao powder or dark cocoa as you cook. Add sliced banana and a swirl of almond or peanut butter (or whatever nut butter is your favourite!) on top, then finish with a few cacao nibs or dark chocolate shavings.

This one’s like a warm hug and a mood booster in a bowl.

🍊 4. Winter Citrus & Honeyed Ricotta

Brighten things up with a splash of citrus: segments of orange, blood orange, or grapefruit on top of your warm oats, paired with a spoonful of ricotta sweetened with a little honey and vanilla.

Zesty, creamy, and perfectly fresh – this combo is like sunshine on a cloudy morning.

🌰 5. Chai-Spiced Everything

Tired of cinnamon on repeat? Try blending your oats with brewed chai tea instead of water or milk. Add ground ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves, then top with caramelised banana or dates and chopped pecans.

Warm, spicy, and just a bit fancy.

✨ One Last Spoonful of Advice…

Porridge doesn’t have to be fancy to be fantastic –  but a little imagination goes a long way. Think of your bowl as a blank canvas, and don’t be afraid to experiment with your favourite fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, what’s in season, what’s in your pantry, or what just makes you happy.

Because sometimes, the smallest upgrades bring the biggest comfort.