Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats is a warm and healthy breakfast perfect for busy mornings. Today I’m sharing how easy it is to make steel cut oatmeal in the Instant Pot so they turn out perfectly creamy and delicious every time!
The more I use my Instant Pot, I more I realize how much I need it. It may not be useful for everything, but here’s the thing – it cooks all the things that no one ever wants to cook on the stovetop (rice, beans, butternut squash, potatoes) and it does so perfectly every single time!
It’s no surprise then that steel cut oats also cook perfectly in the Instant Pot. While not exactly a time saver – it will still take about 30 minutes to get deliciously creamy steel cut oatmeal on the breakfast table – it is completely effortless. No watching or keep an eye out, no tinkering with the heat settings, and no frequent stirring.
All you have to do to make perfect Instant Pot steel cut oats is add everything to the pot, secure the lid, select the correct time and settings, and wait. It couldn’t be easier.
What are steel cut oats?
Steel cut oats are made by chopping whole grain oat groats into 2-3 smaller, more manageable pieces using steel blades (hence their name). Steel cut oats are the least processed of all the oats and cook faster than the whole oat groat but slower than old-fashioned oats (rolled oats).
How to Cook Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Type of oats: Steel cut oats (Irish oats)
- Cooking ratio: For every 1 cup of steel cut oats, add 2 1/2 cups of water (plus 1 or more cups of milk added after the oats have finished cooking)
- Cooking time: 4 minutes at high pressure with 15 minutes natural pressure release
Similar to my Instant Pot oatmeal recipe, the primary difference when pressure cooking steel cut oats is that it calls for a longer cook time and more time to let the pressure release naturally. This makes sense since steel cut oats, unlike rolled oats, are not precooked.
Toppings Ideas
My favorite way to serve any type of cooked oatmeal is steaming hot with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a splash of ice-cold milk. Here are a few other ideas to get you started:
- Dairy milk or dairy-free milk
- Cinnamon
- Fresh or frozen fruit
- Honey or pure maple syrup
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
- Applesauce
- Nuts
- Vanilla extract
Reasons to Love Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- It’s a hands-off breakfast ready in about 30-35 minutes
- Unlike old fashioned oats, steel cut oats are chewy and textured
- All you need are steel cut oats, water, and milk (and maybe a couple of your favorite toppings)
- It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants
- They are naturally vegan and gluten-free (just be sure to purchase oats that say that they are certified gluten-free)
- Steel cut oats are naturally sugar-free (until sugar is added) so enjoy this delicious breakfast guilt-free!
More Oat Recipes,
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Overnight Oats Recipe
- DIY Healthy Instant Oatmeal Recipe (Breakfast Meal Prep)
- Baked Oatmeal Cups Recipe
- Easy Baked Oatmeal Recipe (Dairy-Free)
- How to Make the Best Granola Recipe Ever
- Crunchy Fall Spiced Granola Recipe
Have you tried making this easy Instant Pot steel cut oats recipe?
Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats - not the quick-cooking kind
- 5 cups water
- pinch of salt - optional
- 1 cup milk - (almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, cow milk, etc.)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh or frozen fruit
- Milk - dairy-milk or non-dairy milk
- Nut butter - peanut butter, almond butter
- Sweetener - honey, maple syrup, brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon or Nutmeg
- Nuts and Seeds
Instructions
- Add the steel cut oats, water, and a pinch of salt to the bowl of a 6-quart Instant Pot. Mix to combine. Secure the lid and turn the pressure release valve at the top of the lid to the "sealing" position.
- Cook the oats for 4 minutes on high pressure (it will take about 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach full pressure before the timer will begin counting down).
- Once the time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid once the pressure valve pops up and all of the steam has been released.
- Immediately stir in 1-1½ cups of your favorite dairy or dairy-free milk. Mix well. Allow oats to rest for 1-2 minutes before serving topped with all of your favorite toppings.
Jessica’s Notes
- You may double this recipe. Should you do so, there is no need to increase the total cook time.
- Do not cook more than 4 cups of steel cut oats in the Instant Pot at the same time.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or store it in the freezer for up to one month.
- Reheat leftovers in a small slow cooker set on the lowest setting, or on the stovetop set over medium-low heat. Add additional water or milk as needed.
- If cooking your steel cut oats in an 8-quart Instant Pot, reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes. If using a 3-quart Instant Pot, cut the recipe in half (cook only 1 cup of oats at a time).
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Can I use quick cook steel oats?
Quick cook steel cut oats are cut smaller than traditional steel cut oats, meaning the increased surface area makes them cook quicker.
The time will have to be reduced, as this recipe is written for traditional steel cut oats 🙂
easy and perfect consistancy