Finnish Christmas Porridge
Finnish Christmas Porridge – comforting, rich, and warming porridge that we eat during Christmas time in Finland. It symbolizes the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
Traditionally, the porridge is made with porridge rice, but you can also make it with oat kernels like I did in this recipe. Slowly cooked oat kernels will bring a similar texture to the porridge that you would get with using rice, but the flavors and overall consistency are a bit different.
When you make a larger batch for your family or friends, there’s a tradition to hide an almond in the porridge, and whoever gets a plate of porridge with the almond is the lucky one!
You can eat Finnish Christmas porridge with…
- Homemade Berry Kissel (recipe below!)
- Cinnamon sugar
- Cinnamon and sautéed apples
- Your favorite nuts and berries
Finnish Christmas Porridge
Serves 4
- 2 dl (⅞ cup) oat groats
- 4 dl (1¾ cups) water
- 8–9 dl (3½–3¾ cups) plant-based milk
- A knob of vegan butter
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
Rinse the oat grains thoroughly. (Optional: soak them in hot water for 10–20 minutes) Measure the water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the oat grains. Cook until the water is fully absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
Then add the milk and salt. Reduce the heat and let the porridge simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once ready, remove the porridge from the heat and add a knob of butter. Enjoy warm with berry kissel (recipe below) or cinnamon sugar <3
Tips and notes
Note! You need to use oat kernels for this recipe; rolled or quick oats will not work 😉 You can swap out the oat kernels and prepare this Christmas porridge with porridge rice! Just wash the rice well and cook the porridge the same way.
Strawberry Kissel
- 250 g frozen berries (I used strawberries and blueberries)
- 6 dl or 2,4 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons potato starch
- 1-3 tablespoons honey or preferred sweetener (add more if you like it sweeter)
Instructions
Berry kissel
- 250 g (2½ cups) frozen berries (I used strawberries and blueberries)
- 6 dl (2,4 cups) water, divided
- 2 tbsp potato starch
- 2-3 tbsp honey, sugar, or light agave
- a squeeze of lemon juice
Measure the berries and 5 dl (2 cups) of water into a saucepan. Let it simmer over low-medium heat for 20 minutes. Add the honey (or preferred sweetener).
In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 dl (0.4 cup) of water with the potato starch until smooth. Slowly pour the mixture into the boiling water, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Taste, and add more sweetener if you prefer it sweeter. Take the pan off the heat and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
More porridge recipes 🌻
Persimmon Oatmeal (takes under 10 minutes to make!)