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We love Instant Pot Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge for breakfasts, snacks and lunches! Throw a few things in the Instant Pot, including a whole, uncut delicata squash!, and with only about 5 minutes’ labor, you have a beautiful, wholesome porridge.
This macronutrient-rich recipe is Gluten-free, Paleo, AIP compliant and GAPS-friendly … but serve it to anyone who loves porridge. Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge is easy to make, delicious and naturally sweet!
Gluten-free, Paleo, AIP & GAPS ingredients
Think hot pumpkin porridge, but so much better. Delicata squash are naturally sweet, with almost a caramelized flavor, like nature’s candy. This winter squash is very affordable (especially if you have a Trader Joe’s in your area) and perfect for Gluten-free, Paleo, AIP and GAPS diets.
This porridge combines delicata squash with fall apples for the perfect texture and flavor.
What else gets added to make Instant Pot Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge so special? Actually — bone broth and gelatin! But you’d never know it. These glycine-rich foods nourish the gut, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. (You can read more about glycine [found in bone broth and gelatin!] here.)
What bone broth to use? Here‘s the best homemade bone broth recipe — it teaches you how to avoid rancid fat (which is common with long-cooked broths).
Also slippery elm! This herbal ingredient is optional, as it’s not compliant for those just starting out on the AIP Diet. Otherwise, I recommend it! Here’s why.
I show nuts (below) as a topping on the porridge. Of course, AIP folks aren’t going to use those.
Have fun with the toppings, based on your restrictions: coconut, fresh or frozen berries, sliced banana etc.
Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge for breakfasts, snacks and lunches
One afternoon my 15-year-old daughter said to me as she ate this Squash Porridge chilled as pudding, “Mom, this pudding you made is soo good.”
Then I happily overheard a conversation between my teenage kids, while my daughter continued to eat the leftover porridge cold as pudding:
Son: Isn’t that stuff so delicious?
Daughter: Mmm, so good.
🙂 (My son ate the porridge hot that morning for breakfast.) So I recommend the loveliness not only as hot porridge, but I pour it into 8-ounce canning jars for lunches and snacks.
How to reheat leftovers of Instant Pot Porridge
Just warm leftovers of Instant Pot Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge gently in a saucepan over low heat, breaking the gelled pieces up as you occasionally stir.
You can also heat up leftovers in the Instant Pot using the “Warm” button.
Leftovers last well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can you use another kind of squash
You certainly can. Just know that delicata is unusually sweet, seriously like winter squash candy. So you may need more sweetener if you make that substitution.
Other winter squash options to consider are butternut, kabocha, acorn or sugar pumpkins.
If you use one of these larger squash, you’ll need to peel, seed and cube the squash before cooking. (The delicata’s peel is edible; no peeling or cubing means one less step.)
Instant Pot tips for Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge
Instant Pot Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge takes just 8 minutes to cook.
If you’re in a hurry, put the broth and squash in the Instant Pot’s insert pot while you’re prepping the apples. Press the “Sauté” button, which will pre-heat the pot and broth, decreasing the time it would otherwise take the Instant Pot to come to pressure and temperature. (Don’t leave the Sauté button on too long, though, because there isn’t a lot of broth. We don’t want it to simmer and evaporate, just warm up a bit.)
Once your ingredients are all in the pot, press the “Cancel” button before choosing the “Manual” setting and proceeding with the recipe.
A QPR (quick pressure release) will also speed things up after the timer goes off.
Apple-Delicata Squash Porridge
Equipment
- Instant Pot or other pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 4 small or 2 large apples unpeeled, flesh cut from the cores
- 1 delicata squash washed and whole
- ½ cup bone broth with little fat, or water instead
- 3 Tablespoons slippery elm optional for those on AIP
- 2 Tablespoons gelatin or up to ¼ cup if eating the porridge hot (not chilled as pudding)
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup , or honey for GAPS diet
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon each: cloves and ginger
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Place whole, uncut delicata squash into insert pot. Add apple chunks. Add bone broth and spices. Make sure rubber ring is in place in the Instant Pot lid, and secure lid, closing steam valve. Choose Manual setting and 8 minutes.
- When timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes; then press Cancel, place a dish towel over steam valve and open it to release any remaining pressure. Remove lid and insert, so the pot's contents begin to cool.
- When cool enough to handle, place delicata on a plate or cutting board. Cut in half length-wise and remove seeds with spoon. (They come out very quickly and easily.) Place squash halves and pot's contents (apples, broth and spices) into blender.
- Add remaining ingredients: optional slippery elm, gelatin, maple syrup and sea salt. Blend for about 30 seconds, until smooth. Serve with optional toppings, or pour into portable containers for packing in lunches.
Notes
Nutrition
By the way, this is the Instant Pot I use.
More easy, healthy grain-free breakfast recipes
- Turkey, Apples and Onions Hash
- Beef and Apple Breakfast Sausages
- How to Oven Bake Applegate Farms Breakfast Sausages
- Sweet & Savory Breakfast Cookies
- AIP Lemon Blueberry Coffeecake — serve with a side of homemade sausage patties
- Delicata Squash, Apple, Pork and Bacon Breakfast Casserole (we LOVE this for special occasions)
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Wow Megan, THIS is so lovely! I can’t wait to try it. I love the conversation between your kiddos, so cute! I’m glad you heard it. I’m sure that warmed your heart. xo
Megan Stevens says
Yes, it totally did! 😉 You can imagine. I cook so much for them, so often. It’s really fun when a new recipe wins their hearts on the first try, and it’s different from all the usuals PLUS they all 3 can eat it, and it’s healthy!! Thank you!! xo!
Kelsey Steffen says
Mmm, I think I’d eat mine warm while my kids would most certainly enjoy it cold as a pudding! It’s always such a blessing to hear kiddos appreciate (and actually like) healthy food!
Megan Stevens says
Yes, so true! I like mine warm best, too! And kids are so drawn to jello type foods.
Carol @studiobotanica says
Pinning to try after Christmas when I an unpack my brand new iPot!!
Sure sounds like a winning recipe. Must have made you smile to hear the kids talking about how Mmmm good it is!
Megan Stevens says
Yes, thank you, Carol. Enjoy and enjoy your new IP!! 🙂
Marjorieann1977 says
Just pinned to my AIP board. Hubby will love this! He’s been on the hunt for some good breakfast options and this one has broth – win!
Megan Stevens says
Great, Marjorie! Thank you for the pin, too!
linda spiker says
What a beautiful and comforting porridge!
Megan Stevens says
Thank you, Linda!
thefoodhunter says
What an interesting combination. I would love to try it.
Megan Stevens says
Not too sweet comfort food. 🙂
Karen Heckle Durbin says
The bone broth…is that chicken or beef or does it really matter?
Megan Stevens says
It can be either. 🙂
Danielle Hennessy says
Is there a way to make this in a slow cooker instead? Haven’t hopped on the instant pot trend yet
Megan Stevens says
Hi Danielle, I’m sure there is. 🙂 I haven’t done it that way, so I can’t give you the cooking instructions. I would increase the bone broth, though, because liquid evaporates more in the slow cooker, and then determine how long it will take to cook the squash through, perhaps 3 hours? You may have to experiment a bit.
Robin says
What size squash? I appreciate recipes that provide a measurement for produce. I will try a 15 ounce squash and let you know how that works
Megan says
Hi Robin, any average size delicata works great here. Most are about the same size, and slight variations will not affect the success of the recipe. It just needs to fit in the IP! 🙂
Ak says
Do you put in the squash with skin? Sounds like you tossed in all of it but the seeds. Thank you.
Megan says
Yes, amazingly, yes! 🙂
Brittany says
This looks amazing – I love getting veggies into breakfast foods (it’s difficult with no eggs, I’ve found) and this will be a nice alternative to my ‘carrot oatmeal’. Question though…would it work just as good to seed first and then put in IP?
Megan says
Yes, probably fine. I’m just lazy, so the other works best for me. 🙂 🙂
Cheryl says
What bone broth do you use? I am new to this and don’t want to get the wrong thing. thanks!
Megan says
Hi Cheryl, thanks for the question. I make my own. That recipe is here: https://eatbeautiful.net/2014/07/23/how-make-bone-broth-avoid-rancid-fat/ But I also really love Perfect Supplements’ bone broth powder because it’s well sourced and shelf stable, so it’s super convenient to always have on hand. You can use the code BEAUTIFUL10 at checkout for 10% off your order: http://bit.ly/31Pjv2B If you prefer bone broth in a carton, I like Kettle and Fire’s, which is here: https://amzn.to/2KH6dzp Cheers! 🙂
Jean Choi says
This sounds so comforting, and I can’t wait for the Fall to make this! I love how quickly it comes together too.
paleoglutenfreeguy says
I LOVE paleo versions of oatmeal, porridge, etc. This looks so great and I bet you could leave out the maple syrup and the apple would still make it kinda sweet.
Beth Ann says
How long and what pressure for a stove top pressure cooker?
Megan says
Hi Beth Ann, I don’t have that appliance, so I’m sorry I don’t know.
Kassia says
For this to serve as a meal, could I add some coconut cream or heavy whipping cream to the mix? Or egg yolks? It seems too low in fat to be a meal….more of a dessert. I can serve it as a dessert/side dish of course, just thinking about how to make it work for breakfast 🙂
Megan says
Hi Kassia, I’m always big on protein for breakfast, so personally I like it fortified with collagen with sausages on the side. Adding heavy cream sounds amazing, hard to go wrong there, and I love the idea of adding extra fat. Yes, I think whisking in raw egg yolks will work well, and the coconut cream sounds good too. I vote more fat and more protein, sounds good!
Beth says
Hi what pressure level on instapot? I trying high.
Megan says
Yes, high. 🙂
Rena says
Can this be frozen? I have made it several times and it is never the same color as yours but super yummy but wondering if I can freeze and thaw out to eat cold later.
Megan says
Hi Rena, I’m so glad you like the recipe. I haven’t tried to freeze it, but I think it will work fine. The main thing is that freezing tends to accentuate the water content of certain foods, like soups or possibly this porridge. So I’d consider pouring off any extra water when you defrost it, and then stirring in a tablespoon of coconut oil or cream after re-heating to maintain the velvety texture, as needed. You may also wish to stir in a little extra sea salt before freezing, which can help when freezing certain foods. Lastly, I’d cover the surface with a piece of parchment before putting on the lid, to protect the porridge from air.