How To Make Oatmeal For Babies | Eat Well With Lex

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If you’re starting solids and wondering how to make homemade oatmeal for babies, this simple method is one of the easiest places to start. Homemade oatmeal is affordable, customizable, and grows right alongside your baby.

If you’re new to starting solids or baby-led weaning, I also have a baby-led weaning guide that walks through safe textures, first foods, and what to expect at each stage.

This baby oatmeal recipe skips the boxed baby cereal and uses pantry staples you likely already have. You control the texture, flavor, and ingredients, which makes it a great option for babies just starting solids.

Why Oatmeal Is a Great First Food for Babies

Oatmeal is often recommended as one of the first foods for babies, and for good reason:

• It’s gentle on little bellies
• Easy to adjust in texture
• Naturally filling
• Simple to combine with fruits, veggies, or nut butters

When prepared at home, oatmeal can also double as homemade baby cereal, without unnecessary additives or preservatives.

One thing to note is that store-bought baby cereals are usually fortified with iron whereas homemade cereal is lower in iron content. This is entirely okay because babies can get iron through breastmilk and formula.

Reasons to Love Oatmeal for Babies:

• Nutrient-dense. It is packed with antioxidants, fiber, manganese, iron, and zinc. 
• Great way to introduce texture. You get to control the texture from thin to thick and grainy.
• Easy on your baby’s digestive system.
• Prevent constipation. It is fiber-rich and acts as a natural laxative. 
• Easy to make. These two homemade methods only need 5-10 minutes
• Budget-friendly. You can make a ton for a fraction of the cost. 
• Freezer-friendly. Can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer

What Type of Oats to Use

For baby oatmeal, I recommend starting with:

• Rolled oats (most versatile)
• Quick oats (also work well)

Steel-cut oats are harder to break down and not ideal for early stages unless blended extremely smooth.

How to Make Oatmeal for Babies at Home

There are two simple ways to prepare oatmeal for babies depending on your preference and how you plan to serve it.

Method 1: How to Cook Baby Oatmeal

This is the most common and beginner-friendly method.

1. Combine oats and water (or breastmilk/formula after cooking)
2. Simmer until very soft
3. Blend or mash to your desired consistency

This method works especially well for baby oatmeal at 6 months, when a smooth, spoonable texture is important.

Tip: I like to use breast milk as a thinner but if you choose to do this make sure to use fresh milk and not thawed out milk because breastmilk should not be refrozen.

Method 2: Oat Powder (Homemade Baby Cereal)

This is a great option if you want quick prep.

1. Blend dry oats into a fine powder
2. Stir into warm water or milk
3. Cook briefly or let thicken naturally

This creates a smooth homemade baby cereal texture that’s easy to digest.

Baby Oatmeal Texture Tips (By Age)

Getting the baby oatmeal texture right matters just as much as the ingredients.

• 6 months: Thin, smooth, pourable
• 7–8 months: Slightly thicker with soft mix-ins
• 9+ months: Thick, textured, mashable

Always adjust based on your baby’s readiness and comfort.

Flavor Ideas for Baby Oatmeal: 

While oatmeal is great by itself, it’s even better when flavored. I started with plain oatmeal at 4.5 months then after my baby tried a few different foods I added flavor with a pinch of cinnamon or fruit puree.

Here are 3 tasty flavor combinations for baby oatmeal:

1. Mashed banana or pear
2. Applesauce
3. Cinnamon (small amount)
4. Nut butters (thin and well mixed)

Tip: Mash or blend the fruits so that they can easily mix into the oatmeal.

Other nutritional supplements to add to baby oatmeal (6months+):  

1. Chia seeds
2. Hemp seeds
3. Flax meal 

Oatmeal for Baby Led Weaning

Yes, oatmeal can absolutely work as oatmeal for baby led weaning.

To serve safely:

• Make it thicker
• Offer on a pre-loaded spoon
• Or mix with mashed fruit to help it hold shape

This allows babies to self-feed while still getting all the benefits of oatmeal.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

• Reheat gently and thin as needed
• Store cooked oatmeal in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Freeze in silicone trays for easy portions

Here is how I freeze and store my baby oatmeal:

1. Pour the oatmeal puree into a freezer safe mold or container.
2. Place the mold or container into the freezer and allow the puree to freeze completely. I usually freeze them overnight.
3. Once frozen, pop out each cube of frozen puree and store in freezer ziploc bags or stasher bags. Make sure to label with the date. 

Tools for Making Homemade Baby Food:

• Food processor or Blender
• Baby food maker (recommended by many moms)
• Storage containers
• Steamer basket 
• Suction Bowl
• Baby Spoon
• Freezer Mold
• Stasher Bag
• Bibs

More Baby Food Recipes You Might Like

• Soft fruit and veggie purées for early solids
• Make-ahead baby meals that work for busy days

Below is my go-to baby oatmeal recipe that works for spoon-feeding or baby-led weaning.

Homemade Oatmeal for Babies

This easy baby oatmeal recipe is a simple first food made with pantry staples. It can be blended smooth for beginners or thickened for baby-led weaning, making it a flexible option that grows with your baby Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a ReviewPrep Time 5 minutes minsCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 10 minutes minsCourse BreakfastServings 2

Equipment

• Baby Blender

Ingredients 1x2x3x

• ¼ cup rolled oats or quick oats
• ¾ –1 cup water
• Breast milk or formula optional, for thinning after cooking

Optional add-ins (age-appropriate):

• Mashed banana or pear
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Ground cinnamon pinch
• Smooth nut butter thin and well mixed

Get Recipe IngredientsGet Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Method 1: Cooked Baby Oatmeal

• Add oats and water to a small saucepan.
• Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft (about 5–10 minutes).
• Blend or mash to reach desired texture.

Method 2: Homemade Baby Cereal (Oat Powder)

• Blend dry oats into a fine powder using a blender or food processor.
• Add oat powder to a saucepan with water.
• Cook over low heat, stirring, until thickened.
• Adjust texture as needed before serving.
• Thin with water, breast milk, or formula as needed.

Notes

• Always serve oatmeal plain at first to monitor for reactions.
• Avoid honey until age 1.
• Adjust texture based on your baby’s readiness and comfort level.

Texture & Age Guide

• 6 months: Very smooth and thin
• 7–8 months: Slightly thicker with soft mix-ins
• 9+ months: Thick, textured, mashable

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