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If your kids are fans of oatmeal, you need to give this farro breakfast bowl a try. It’s warm, hearty, and full of fiber to help keep them fuller longer, plus just enough sweetness so they’ll actually eat it.
It’s an easy way to add variety and more whole grains to your child’s breakfast menu and shake up the cereal, toast, pancake routine.
Table of Contents
Why Serve Farro for Breakfast?
Farro is a whole grain packed with fiber, plant-based iron, and omega-3s – three helpful nutrients to start your child’s day. It’s more filling than most cereals, and because it has so much fiber, it will keep their snack requests at bay, at least for a little while.
This is one of those “build your own” bowls that works great for providing autonomy at meals for picky eaters, adventurous eaters, and everyone in between. Try setting out a few toppings and letting your kids mix and match their farro breakfast bowls. This gives them control, and you (hopefully) get fewer complaints.
Check out more kid-friendly farro recipes here.
Ingredients for Farro Breakfast Bowls
Cooked Farro
This farro breakfast bowl recipe works great with leftover farro, or you can cook some up fresh for this recipe. To make farro, bring a pot of water to boil like you would pasta, add the farro, boil until tender, and drain off excess water. The time will depend on what type of farro you’re using. I recommend getting a pearled farro or a quick cooking farro like the one from Trader Joe’s.
Maple Syrup
When you’re making meals from scratch, there’s certainly the benefit of controlling the ingredients, such as added sugar. Use as much or as little maple syrup as you’d like. You can substitute honey as well.
Ground Flaxseed
Ground flaxseed is a great option to add to these farro breakfast bowls to add more fiber, iron, and even some protein too. Make sure to use ground or milled flaxseed. Whole flaxseed is really difficult to digest, and since kids aren’t typically great chewers, it will just pass right through them and they’ll miss out on all the benefits. Learn more about ways to use flaxseed here.
Milk
Feel free to use whatever milk your family enjoys. You only need a splash, but you can add as much as you’d like.
Salt
The salt in this recipe is optional, but it really does help bring out all the other flavors.
Cinnamon
What’s oatmeal without a little cinnamon? sprinkle in as much or as little as you’d like, or leave it out all together if it’s not your thing.
Fruit
Again, another ingredient you can customize based on your child’s preference. We love using berries in our farro breakfast bowls, but banana and peaches work well too. If you don’t have any fresh fruit on hand, give frozen or even canned fruit a try in this recipe.
How to Make Farro Breakfast Bowls
To make your customizable farro breakfast bowls, simply combine the farro and milk in a microwavable bowl and heat until warm for 30-second increments. If using a saucepan on the stovetop, heat over medium-low heat until warm.
Once your farro is warm, add the ground flaxseed, a dash of salt and cinnamon and drizzle with fruit and maple syrup.
Let your kids help make their farro breakfast bowls or offer some of the ingredients deconstructed for them to add in themselves.
Make-Ahead Tip
Cook a batch of farro once and reheat individual portions all week. Just warm, top, and serve.
Whether your kid is a breakfast lover or someone who “just wants a snack,” this bowl checks the boxes for nutrition, comfort, and taste. It’s one of those feel-good meals that’s easy on you and their appetite.
Make It a Customizable Breakfast Bowl
One of the easiest ways to help kids try new foods (without the pressure) is to give them choices. Set out a few simple toppings and mix-ins, and let them build their own farro breakfast bowl. This makes breakfast more interactive and gives kids a sense of control over what goes on their plate.
Here are some easy, kid-friendly topping and mix-in ideas:
Toppings:
- Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Sliced banana
- Diced apples or pears
- Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or prunes)
- Mini chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
- Toasted coconut flakes
- A sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
Mix-Ins:
- Nut or seed butter (peanut, almond, sunflower)
- Plain or flavored yogurt
- Chia seeds or ground flaxseed
- Maple syrup or honey (for kids over 1)
- A splash of milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Let your child choose 2–3 toppings to build their own bowl. This will help them feel more involved and can lead to more adventurous eating over time.
Farro Breakfast Bowl with Berries and Flax
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- Sauce pan for cooking farro
- Measure cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
To Make Cooked Farro
- 1/2 cup farro uncooked
- 1 1/2-2 cups water
To Make Individual Farro Breakfast Bowl
- 1/2 cup farro cooked
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup fruit diced or chopped
- 1 tbsp milk
- pinch salt
- pinch cinnamon
Instructions
To Cook Farro
- Bring a pot of water to boil like you would pasta, add a 1/2 cup of uncooked farro, boil until tender, and drain off excess water. The time will depend on what type of farro you’re using. I recommend getting a pearled farro or a quick cooking farro.
Farro Breakfast Bowl Assembly
- In a microwave-safe bowl combine farro and milk. Microwave for roughly 30 to 60 seconds or until warm and milk is slightly absorbed.
- Add salt, ground flaxseed, maple syrup, and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Add diced fruit or other toppings and enjoy!
