Can you put protein powder in porridge? Tips & tricks for a protein-filled brekky

Oat lovers rejoice – the answer to “can you put protein powder in porridge?” is a resounding “yes”. This staple of nutritious brekkies offers a warm, comforting start to the day and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t help you reach your protein goals at the same time.

However, it can take a little trial and error to get the recipe just as you like it. Stories of watery or stodgy porridge and clumped or curdled protein powder might be enough to put you off your breakfast, but with a few insider tips and tricks, creamy, delicious oats are within your grasp. Read on to find out what you need to know before making your next protein powder order.

4 benefits of adding protein powder to porridge

Breakfast is a meal that divides opinions. Do you go for sweet or savoury? Cooked or cold? Oats are one option that combines the best of both worlds and with a scoop or two of protein powder added for good measure, they not only satisfy your taste buds but also provide a host of health benefits:

1. Sustained energy: Oats are a source of complex carbohydrates that provide slow-release energy. Adding protein to your breakfast has been shown to steady blood sugar levels throughout the day, reducing the likelihood of slumps. (1)
2. Muscle support: Whatever the day ahead looks like, a scoop of protein powder in your oats will help you support your muscle health in more active moments and in the long run.
3. Satiety and weight management: Both oats and protein powder are highly satiating. (2,3) This means you’ll feel fuller for longer, helping to manage hunger and reduce unnecessary snacking.
4. Convenience: Preparing a protein-rich porridge is quick and easy, perfect for busy mornings. You can customise it with flavours and toppings to keep your breakfast exciting and utterly delicious.

How to add protein powder to your porridge

When the time comes to make your protein porridge, follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way to your new favourite breakfast:

Step 1: Choose your ingredients

Based on your dietary needs and preferences, choose the protein powder you’d like to add in with your porridge. An organic whey protein powder like our best-selling Pure Unflavoured whey protein mixes really well with oats and milk, making things extra creamy, as well as ensuring the best quality ingredients.

“The Organic Protein Co.’s unflavoured whey mixes incredibly well into porridge to increase the protein content of morning meals.”   Dr Chris Hughes 

Otherwise, you might opt for a plant-based protein powder blend if you follow a vegan diet or perhaps a casein protein powder for a slower-absorbing source of protein. Here, you might also choose your oats – go for organic, if possible – and the milk you’d like to use, whether that’s dairy or an alternative such as almond or rice milk.

Step 2: Prep your porridge

Once you’ve assembled your ingredients, there are a couple of ways you can go about making your protein porridge:

• On the hob: For a standard-sized bowl of protein porridge, add 40g of oats and 250ml of your chosen milk into a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture, stirring regularly, until it begins to thicken and the oats are cooked.
• In the microwave: Use the same quantities of oats and milk for this method, putting the ingredients into a microwave-safe bowl instead. Give the mixture a stir and then pop into the microwave for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Step 3: Adding the protein punch

Here comes the step which requires some testing to ensure your breakfast is to your liking. Depending on your chosen protein powder, milk and oats, you might find different levels of success with each method. The goal is to create a smooth, creamy bowl of porridge, avoiding any bittiness or clumping. Try the below to find the best time to add your protein powder:

• Add your protein powder before cooking: If you’d prefer to add the protein powder before cooking, mix it with the dry oats ahead of adding the liquid. Give it a good stir to make sure the protein powder dissolves into your porridge without clumps. Be aware that heating your protein powder may cause the proteins to become denatured, resulting in an overly thick, stodgy porridge.
• Add your protein powder after cooking (recommended): Alternatively, you can stir your protein powder into the porridge after it has been cooked. This method preserves more of the protein's nutritional value but requires thorough mixing to avoid clumping.

Top tip #1 from protein-porridge fans

The number one tip is to create a kind of ‘protein paste’ to pour on top and stir into your cooked porridge. To do this, mix a serving of protein powder with a dash of water or milk separate from your cooked porridge. Stir together, adding a tablespoon or two more water if needed, until you get a paste consistency. This can then be poured onto your cooked oats and stirred in.

This handy hack avoids two common problems. One, the denaturation of the proteins as you cook it with your porridge and the potential for curdled protein powder. And two, clumpy protein powder that just won’t mix into your cooked oats no matter how hard you try. Certainly one to try!

More tips to avoid clumping

1. Gradual mixing: Add the protein powder gradually, stirring continuously to help it dissolve evenly.
2. Use a whisk: A whisk can be more effective than a spoon for breaking up clumps and ensuring a smooth consistency.

Step 4: Add your porridge toppings

The joy of porridge often comes from the ‘customisable’ toppings you can add. This step gives you the chance to add even more protein to your porridge – think natural nut butters, protein yoghurt, or nuts and seeds – or some added vitamins and minerals such as berries, chia seeds, or flax seeds.

Top tip #2

You can also level up your protein porridge by opting for overnight oats. These can be made the evening before a busy day at work or in batches on Sunday afternoons for the week ahead. This also avoids denaturing the proteins, as there is no heat involved.

Follow the same process but use a jar or container with a lid to store your porridge in the fridge overnight. The oats will absorb the liquid overnight, creating a creamy, delightful, and healthy morning treat – loosen it up with a little milk or water if needed.

Our favourite protein porridge recipes

Why not give some of our favourite protein porridge recipes a go next time you’re feeling inspired in the kitchen? With four options, our protein powders can be the flavoursome, protein-rich addition to even the most simple porridge recipe.

• Kayla’s Nutrition’s Overnight Apple Oats
• Balance by Belle’s Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
• Quinoa, Chia & Blackberry Porridge (a twist on the classic oat porridge)

Put your protein-porridge skills to the test

There you have it – protein powder in porridge is entirely possible and now you know how to make it. Many of the nutritionists who love our protein powder use it to create a balanced bowl of oats in the morning and love how well it mixes to create a smooth consistency. We never use additives, thickeners or emulsifiers to aid mixability – our gentle processing methods create a tasty, creamy protein powder all on their own.

Whether you choose our organic whey protein powders or something different for your protein porridge, we hope you’ve found this blog helpful. Take a look at our FAQs below and sign up for our newsletter for more insights into our products and nutrition tips.