Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
This guide will show you how to make the best Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal! This recipe comes out perfectly every single time and reheats wonderfully for healthy meal prep!
What are Steel Cut Oats?
While Old-fashioned oats and steel-cut oats look quite different, they come from the same grain. They are processed differently, Old-fashioned oats are rolled flat, while steel-cut oats are chopped into small pieces. This difference in processing gives the oats different textures and cooking times. Steel-cut oats are chewier and take longer to cook, while old-fashioned oats are softer and cook more quickly. Of the two, Old Fashioned oats are used traditionally to make oatmeal but I love the hearty texture of steel-cut oats.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- KID FRIENDLY – This oatmeal is flavored with maple syrup and cinnamon. Even a picky kiddo will love this breakfast!
- HEALTHY – Oats are heart-healthy and contain fiber and protein. A bowl of steel cut oatmeal is a breakfast option that will help you feel full through the morning.
- INEXPENSIVE – Steel-cut oats come in large containers, usually 30 ounces for less than $5. This makes it a very affordable meal that comes together quickly.
Ingredients for Steel Cut Oatmeal
As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients needed to make perfect Instant Pot Oatmeal! For the complete, printable recipe scroll down.
- Almond Milk: this adds a delicious creamy quality to the oatmeal. You can use another milk alternative if you would like such as oat, rice, or soy milk. DO NOT use regular milk as it will curdle when cooked at a high temperature. If you prefer to leave the milk out you can use water only, but it will not be as creamy.
- Water: as mentioned above this oatmeal is cooked in a mixture of water and almond milk, if you wish to skip the almond milk you can use water only.
- Steel-Cut Oats: this recipe is specifically for steel-cut oats, if you use Old Fashioned, rolled oats or quick cooking oats it will not work. For an Instant Pot Oatmeal using traditional oats follow this recipe instead.
- Maple Syrup: Honey or another liquid sweetener will also work. If you need to reduce the carbs you can use a sugar-free maple syrup like this one.
- Cinnamon and salt: add depth and flavor to the oatmeal.
How to make Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need an Instant Pot. This recipe works in a 6, 8, or 10-quart pressure cooker. To make the best Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal follow the tutorial below:
Add Ingredients to Instant Pot
Add the almond milk, water, uncooked oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt to the Instant Pot and stir to combine. Be sure to stir everything well to ensure there is no burn message.
Pressure Cook
Secure the lid, and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Remember, it will take the machine about 10 minutes to come to pressure, then the countdown on the screen will appear. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow a natural release for 15-20 minutes (15 minutes for chewier oats, 20 minutes for softer oats). After natural release, release the pressure using the valve on the lid. I put a dish towel over the release spout, this helps prevent any hot water or steam from coming out and burning you.
Serve
Once the pressure has been released you can safely open the lid. Stir the oatmeal well and serve! This oatmeal is amazing on its own, but it is equally delicious with additional toppings such as fruit and nuts. Remember if you like your oatmeal creamy you can add an additional splash of almond milk to the finished product!
Oatmeal Toppings
- Fresh Fruit: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, peaches, plums, or pears.
- Nuts and Seeds: sunflower seeds, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews peanuts, chia seeds, hemp, or sesame seeds.
- Nut Butter or Spreads: peanut, almond, or cashew butter, as well as Nutella, or lemon curd. Applesauce is also a great, healthy option.
- Sweet Treats: brown sugar, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, toffee bits, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.
- Spices and Extracts: apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, almond, or maple syrup.
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, cherries all make great additions.
Storage and Freezing
Oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up 4 days. To make this easy for weekly meal prep store the oatmeal in individual containers. Simply warm the oatmeal in the microwave in 30-second increments until warm. Depending on the consistency you prefer you may need to add a splash of milk or almond milk when rewarming.
You can also freeze oatmeal for 3 months in an airtight container! To rewarm that in the fridge overnight then rewarm in 45-second increments in the microwave until warmed through. You may need a splash of liquid as you rewarm.
Tips
- Feel free to sub in honey or agave instead of maple syrup.
- Almond milk is optional but adds creaminess to the oats. Water, oat milk, rice milk, and/or soy milk can all be used in this recipe in place of almond milk.
- DO NOT use regular milk in this recipe, it will curdle in the pressure cooker.
- The pressure cooker will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, then the cooking cycle will begin.
- This recipe will not work with a different type of oat. Use Steel-cut oats only for this recipe.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal FAQ
Yes, you can double this recipe. It does not require additional cooking time, just be sure you stir the mixture very well.
Yes, you do not need to make any additional changes to the recipe.
Definitely, maple syrup, honey, agave, or a sugar-free liquid sweetener all work well.
Other Healthy Breakfast Recipes
- Easy Egg Bites: similar to Starbucks, but much more affordable!
- Instant Pot Oatmeal: a rich, creamy oatmeal made with Old-Fashioned Oats.
- Shirred Eggs: eggs paired with parmesan and baked until perfect.
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars: easy no bake granola bars that are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast!
- Carrot Cake Smoothie: a smoothie filled with fruit and vegetables that tastes like dessert!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened almond milk, NOT regular milk, see notes below
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups uncooked steel-cut oats
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Add the almond milk, water, oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt to the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Secure the lid, and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Remember, it will take the machine about 10 minutes to come to pressure, then the cooking cycle will begin. Once the cooking cycle has completed, allow it to naturally release for 15-20 minutes (15 minutes for chewier oats, 20 minutes for softer oats).
- After natural release, carefully release the pressure using the valve on the lid.
- Serve immediately with toppings of choice!
Notes
Do not use Old Fashioned Oats in this recipe, it will not work the same.
