Difference Between Overnight Oats and Porridge

What is the difference between porridge and overnight oats ? Both are actually the same, right? – Somehow it does and somehow it doesn't. In any case, both are popular breakfast dishes that not only taste delicious, but are also healthy.

Both porridge and overnight oats consist of the basic ingredients oatmeal and water or milk , but differ in their preparation. In addition, in contrast to warm oatmeal, overnight oats are enjoyed cold. You can find out everything else you need to know about the trendy breakfast here:

What is porridge and where does it come from?

Porridge is basically nothing more than warm oatmeal, which is eaten predominantly for breakfast. In the meantime, porridge has become the right food trend .

But that was not always the case: cereal porridge is probably one of the oldest meals since people were able to make their own fire. About 15,000 years ago, many nomads settled down and started farming. By the way, historians suspect that the oats originally came from the Near East .

The oldest finds in Europe are probably from the 5th millennium BC: Both in the northern Black Sea region and in Poland, the oats were probably already native at that time. In Central Europe, it was the pile farmers of the Young and Bronze Ages who cultivated oats north of the Main. With the ancient Greeks and Romans, on the other hand, oats were frowned upon as a weed .

Nordic peoples greatly appreciated the plant: porridge was already one of the staple foods of the Scots, Vikings and Germans centuries ago. Especially among the working class in the north of England, porridge was on the menu several times a week.

Oatmeal cooked in water or other liquids is still a national dish in Scotland today and should not be missed at breakfast. The porridge is really iconic here: since 1994, the "World Porridge Making Championship" has even taken place in its own championship for the best preparation.

How to properly prepare the oatmeal

For classic cooked oatmeal, you only need two ingredients: oatmeal and a liquid of your choice . For a filling breakfast for one person, 50 grams of oatmeal and about 250 milliliters of liquid are sufficient. If you strictly pay attention to your calorie intake, water is a good option. The food becomes creamier when you use milk.

Are you a vegan? No problem, because even with plant-based drinks, a hot breakfast succeeds perfectly . Almond, cashew or hazelnut drink makes the food taste like nuts . Naturally, oat drinks also go well with the Scottish national dish. Exotic flair is imparted by coconut milk, which is relatively energy-rich due to its high fat content.

No matter which liquid you choose, the steps are the same: you boil the flakes in milk or water for two to three minutes. It is important to stir vigorously so that the food does not burn.

If you like to enjoy your breakfast with a bit of bite , large leafy oatmeal is ideal. They remain gritty after the cooking time. Fine-leaved flakes , on the other hand, become really creamy . Finally, garnish your porridge with berries ( cranberry ), fresh fruits, nuts (hazelnuts ), spices or other toppings of your choice, such as chia seeds .

What are overnight oats?

No time for a healthy breakfast? This excuse doesn't apply once you've met Overnight Oats. When this new trend was invented is not exactly known. Maybe the food came about by chance because someone wanted to prepare porridge and forgot to turn on the stove?

The insight from this was probably that oatmeal also swells in cold liquid. However, they take longer than when cooking. The name Overnight Oats means oatmeal soaked overnight. Simply prepare in the evening, put in the fridge, and enjoy fresh the next morning.

Overnight oats – the preparation

Just like for warm oatmeal, all you need for overnight oats is oatmeal and liquid . Since plant-based drinks, water or milk do not boil in this preparation method, you need less of them. 40 grams of oatmeal requires around 120 milliliters of liquid if you want to prepare breakfast for one person.

You put the ingredients in a bowl, mix them briefly, and let them swell in the fridge. Soaked overnight, the oatmeal turns into a healthy morning meal without any additional effort . Then, depending on your personal preference, you can refine the porridge with a spoonful of yogurt, fruit, or nuts.

Overnight oats were for a long time completely wrongly discredited because of their high calorie content. Unsaturated fatty acids, such as those found in nuts, protect the heart and vessels, as we know today. Enjoyed in moderation, they make your breakfast even healthier. Sweet tooths serve overnight oats after a night in the fridge with cinnamon, chopped bananas, and chocolate sprinkles.

Are porridge and overnight oats healthy for breakfast?

Oatmeal soaked in cold or hot liquid not only tastes delicious, it also provides many healthy ingredients . One of the reasons why nutrition experts recommend them for diets is the high content of fiber. They are rich in indigestible plant substances that swell up to 100 times their weight in the intestine and ensure a long feeling of satiety.

They also regulate digestion and serve as food for the good bacteria in your intestinal flora. Why more and more athletes eat oatmeal breakfast is due to the high magnesium content: This mineral prevents muscle soreness and ensures better muscle growth . In addition, oatmeal is an ideal plant-based source of iron .

Since vitamin C promotes absorption, it's best to enjoy your porridge with fresh fruit. The beta-glucan contained in the oatmeal also lowers the blood sugar level ^​1​ and makes the oats an absolute superfood. Regularly consumed oatmeal also has a beneficial effect on the appearance of the skin: zinc and biotin are responsible for this.