Spiced Buckwheat Porridge - Naturally Gluten-Free

Spiced buckwheat porridge is easy to make and packed full of goodness. This naturally gluten-free breakfast is ready in 20 minutes but can also be cooked ahead of time and reheated.

This recipe was first published in February 2020

I have a love-hate relationship with traditional oat porridge. Though I always love the look of it, I just cannot get along with the texture. I find it far too gloopy for my liking.

But at last, I've found a solution to my breakfast woes with this spiced buckwheat porridge.

What Makes this recipe special?

I have a long list of positives about this buckwheat porridge:

• this recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare
• and it’s a wonderfully healthy breakfast option
• it's naturally gluten-free
• and it comes loaded with nutrients

But for me, the best feature of this gluten-free porridge is its texture.

Unlike oat-based porridge, this version is not sticky or gloopy. Instead, the buckwheat softens in the milk it is cooked in but retains a definite bite to it. Some would describe it as slightly chewy.

I've added a little chai spice to my recipe and sweetened it very slightly, but it can be made with just 2 ingredients (buckwheat and milk) and still be regarded as delicious.

Ingredients

Despite its name, buckwheat is unrelated to wheat. It's actually a fruit seed, classed as a cereal grain, and it is gluten-free. So it makes a good choice of grain for people who are sensitive to wheat.

Home cooks can typically find buckwheat in the form of flour, flakes or groats. My gluten-free porridge is made using groats - essentially this is buckwheat in its whole form.

Buckwheat groats are usually stocked in the supermarket in the rice & grains section. Failing that, try the gluten-free aisle.

These nobbly looking groats have a distinct nutty flavour and lend themselves equally well to both sweet and savoury recipes.

Buckwheat is also highly nutritious:

• It's a healthy source of protein, fibre and energy, especially when in its whole-grain form (the groats)
• Whole-grain buckwheat is also loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Unsurprisingly, with these character traits, there are numerous health benefits accredited to eating this popular superfood.

All in all, buckwheat is a fantastic ingredient to consume regularly, so weaving some into a tasty and easy to make breakfast is really just sensible planning in my view.

Step By Step Instructions

It's incredibly easy to make this gluten-free buckwheat porridge:

Step 1: Put the groats into a saucepan with the spice and sugar

Step 2: Add the liquid (I recommend full-fat milk or a dairy-free milk replacement)

Step 3: Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes, then turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid and let stand for 10 minutes

And that's it. After the standing time the buckwheat porridge is ready to serve.

Cooking Tips and FAQs

Tips

• Don't forget to stir the pan regularly, to avoid the groats sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. Treat it as you would a risotto
• And rather like a risotto, I like my buckwheat porridge with a little bit of bite. If you prefer it very soft, cook for a few minutes longer (though I would avoid cooking beyond 20 minutes as the groats can turn mushy beyond this stage)
• Once ready to serve, add a little more liquid if you prefer a looser consistency to your porridge
• You can choose to omit the sugar at the cooking stage and just sweeten at the end if preferred. Once cooked, add a little at a time, tasting as you go, until it is sweet enough for you
• Before adding extra sweetness to the base porridge recipe, think about your toppings. Remember that fruits contain natural sweetness, so you may not need as much sugar in the porridge as you might think
• If you are intending to make a large batch to store and heat up as required, remember that the buckwheat will continue to absorb liquid as it sits in the fridge. This means that at the point of reheating, a splash of additional milk may be required to return it to the desired consistency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Serve

This buckwheat porridge can be eaten just as it is, but I like to top mine with a variety of healthy goodies.

Try any of the following:

• fresh berries
• mixed seeds
• flaked coconut
• toasted cacao nibs
• fruit compote
• nuts
• roasted plums
• tropical fruit such as pineapple and mango
• dried fruits

My favourite combinations are:

• raspberries, mixed seeds & almonds
• berry compote, raspberries, toasted cacao nibs and coconut

I find the natural sweetness imparted from the fruit toppings sufficient in this healthy yet creamy gluten-free porridge recipe, but an additional drizzle of honey or maple syrup could also be added if desired.

More Buckwheat Groat Recipes

If you are concerned you'll be buying another store cupboard ingredient for just one purpose, don't be.

They can be cooked in liquid to soften them or eaten just as they are. Topping a salad with a few raw groats in lieu of croutons adds some definite crunch. Or try adding them to muesli.

This grain is very versatile and can see you through from breakfast to supper time. Take a look at these buckwheat groat recipes for inspiration:

• Roasted Buckwheat with Mushrooms & Onions (Polish Kasha)
• Savoury Buckwheat Breakfast Bowl
• Broccoli Buckwheat Salad
• Cashew Buckwheat Curry

More Exciting Breakfast Ideas

• Fruity Breakfast Crostini
• Chocolate Orange Breakfast Parfait
• Huevos Rancheros Style Cornmeal Crepes
• Balsamic Strawberries on Brioche Toast