9 Hot Cereal Recipes You Need This Winter

Kru Nid’s Khao Tom (Thai Breakfast Porridge with Bacon)
Photo: Alicia Cho

Chilly winter mornings call for warm, comforting breakfasts. But if you think oatmeal's your only option for hot cereal, think again. There are so many grains out there, with different textures and flavors, and these nine hot cereal recipes prove oatmeal isn't the only breakfast game in town.

01 of 09

Kru Nid's Khao Tom (Thai Breakfast Porridge with Bacon)

Kru Nid’s Khao Tom (Thai Breakfast Porridge with Bacon)
Alicia Cho

This comforting, creamy rice porridge shines with punchy, savory toppings for a hearty meal. Traditional toppings for khao tom can include Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, or eggs, but writer Kat Thompson's favorite version of this dish is topped with fermented mustard greens and crispy bacon.

02 of 09

Farro Breakfast Porridge with Raspberries

Farro Breakfast Porridge with Raspberries
© Constantine Poulos

Missy Robbins, the chef at Lilia in Brooklyn, mixes up her morning breakfast routine with farro porridge, which she tops with a super speedy and delicious (not to mention healthy) sauce made with frozen raspberries and honey. 

03 of 09

Spicy Sesame, Bacon, and Egg Congee

Spicy Sesame, Bacon, and Egg Congee Recipe
Victor Protasio

Taking a cue from Chef Mei Lin of Nightshade, we’re adding spicy pork, creamy egg yolks, and crunchy sesame to classic rice congee. Low and slow cooking is the key to its great texture; adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle bubble that results in tender grains.

04 of 09

Mashed Banana & Whole-Grain Porridge

Mashed Banana & Whole-Grain Porridge
© Chris Court

Making wheat berries for breakfast can require waking up before sunrise, since the grains take at least an hour to cook. But, thanks to new flash-freezing technology, excellent precooked whole grains like barley, quinoa, and wheat berries are ready in the time it takes to brew coffee.

05 of 09

Amaranth Breakfast Porridge with Cinnamon and Sugar

Amaranth Breakfast Porridge with Cinnamon and Sugar

This sweet, gluten-free amaranth breakfast porridge is classically flavored with cinnamon and sugar.

06 of 09

Strawberry Amaranth Porridge with Cardamom

Strawberry Amaranth Porridge with Cardamom

This amaranth porridge makes for a nourishing breakfast that will keep you comfortably full for hours. Amaranth is known for its impressive nutritional record, being very high in protein as well as calcium, iron and phosphorus. The addition of fragrant spices and stewed strawberries makes it almost dessert-like and delicious.

07 of 09

Pearl Barley Porridge with Ham and Eggs

Pearl Barley Porridge with Ham and Eggs

Dave Chang first made this recipe at a food conference in Copenhagen, where he had very little to work with. He simmered barley in local apple cider with chicken stock and kombu, creating a deliciously sweet and savory porridge.

08 of 09

Basic Chinese Congee

HD-201311-r-basic-chinese-congee.jpg

Dress up this classic white rice porridge with your favorite savory toppings, like bacon, Chinese sausage, or onions.

09 of 09

Three-Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon

Three Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon
© David Malosh

Chef Quinn Hatfield cooks big batches of pearled barley and quinoa to keep in his refrigerator for this hot cereal, which comes together in minutes. He also uses the grains in salads. The mixture of cinnamon and chopped dates makes this breakfast nicely sweet—no extra sugar needed.

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