Healthy Rolled Oat Fingers

In recent years, rolled oats have gained quite a following especially amongst parents and health enthusiasts.

Like many, we were curious too. Seriously, what’s so special about rolled oats?

Oats are usually associated with fibre and has gain fame for being able to fill one up for longer, which makes it a good meal for those hoping to lose weight or watch their diets. Mention “oats” and many relate them to older folks by terming it “老人麦” or ” Lao Lang Beh” (in Hokkien) as their boring pale-looking appearance makes them look less than appetising too. Rolled oats are de-hulled then steamed, which partially cooks the oat, and then flattened between two rollers. They are sometimes referred to as old fashioned oats.

For babies, rolled oats are favoured for being a super food. That’s because rolled oats are:
– packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals like iron and manganese which aids in haemoglobin production (for red blood cells) and energy generation

– high in energy which is much-needed for growing bubs

– easily digestible, making it an ideal choice for immature digestive systems of our little ones

With the plethora of information, rolled oats seem like a superb choice and they can be spruced up to enhance their delectable factor! Here’s the simple recipe for Healthy Oat Fingers, inspired by a fellow mummy, Wong Yen Li, from Malaysia. She’s a real inspiration who wakes at 4am every day to prepare her daughter’s meals before heading to work. I take my hat off her!!

Healthy Rolled Oat Fingers
~ yields around 20pcs, depending on shape and size

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons rolled oats, washed and soaked overnight then drain before use. No need to cook.

0.5oz milk (You may use breastmilk, formula or fresh milk) – The original recipe called for 20g of milk but I’ve adjusted it as the mixture became too wet to handle. Milk can also be omitted if preferred.

1 medium size carrots/potatoes/sweet potatoes, steam and mash

Method:
1) Mix mashed carrots/potatoes/sweet potatoes with rolled oats and milk.

2) Pour mixture into clean plastic bag and snip off a corner.
Tip: avoid cutting off too much as it will result in a bigger hole and the watery mixture may be more tricky to control.

3) Squeeze mixture onto lined or greased baking tray in your desired shapes and sizes.

4) Bake in preheated oven for 25min at 175degree or till mixture becomes dry. Allow to cool before serving.

 

 

General guidelines for cooking rolled oats: 

Put soaked oats into pot and bring it to a med-high heat, then turned lower to simmer with the lid on. They will be ready in about 5-10 minutes. Water:oats ratio 1 (or 1 1/2) cups of water to 1 cup of oats. Some prefer an even softer oatmeal, by using 2:1 ratio of water:oats instead.

 

So what did little Vera think of these rolled oat fingers?

 

 

Tips:

– This is another versatile recipe which is really easy to prepare. Other ways of incorporating rolled oats: mix with different tubers and roots, preferably those that are less wet so that it’s easier to form shapes – purple carrot, bananas, pumpkin, butternut squash, purple sweet potato.

– Rolled oats can also be incorporated into other foods for additional fibre and more nutritious. e.g. Pancakes, or used as an option to replace carbo like rice when cooking porridge.

– Rolled oats can also be sprinkled onto meats for extra crunch and goodness, and offers a tasty dimension to the palates with its flavours when cooked in different styles. Add a dash when roasting chicken or pan-frying fish – they are good for adults as well.

– If you need a dummy-proof breakfast or lunch, cook rolled oats over stove for 20minutes, add fruits (for sweetness and vitamins) or eggs and meat (for savoury option) and cook it like instant oatmeal for a hearty meal that’s easy on the tummy for both babies and adults. Talk about a 1-pot wonder ;)

– Babies between 7-12mo can try rolled oats but due to the texture and chewiness, some preferred that they get first dips when older. Consider playing with the consistency – add more water or milk for a more fluid meal. Personally, baby V only tried it at 14mo.

 

We hope you enjoyed our simple and quick share of recipe that works great with babies and even adults! Have you used rolled oats in other recipes? Do share them with us too!

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