Overnight Steel Cut Oats are one of the easiest ways to get a nutritious and healthy breakfast on the go. This simple base recipe for overnight steel-cut oatmeal is made with naturally gluten-free steel-cut oats and water – that’s it! All you need to do is make it the night before and leave it in the fridge overnight! When you wake up, warm with some milk, add some fruit or nuts if desired, and enjoy!
Let me introduce my new favorite overnight oatmeal recipe.
Creamy, nutty, chewy, and delicious – these are not your average overnight oats. Made with steel-cut oats rather than old-fashioned oats, these delicious oats have extra texture and extra bite, but the same amazing creaminess as regular overnight oats.
Top off and stir in all your favorite toppings, sweeteners, and powders.
Can You Make Overnight Oats with Steel Cut Oats?
Yes. And it only requires a few minutes of hands-on prep time (yay!)
In this post, I will share how to make overnight oats with steel cut oats including all my tips and tricks for making the best overnight steel cut oats possible.
Steel Cut vs. Rolled Oats
Steel cut (Irish) oats are made by chopping whole oat groats into smaller pieces. Steel-cut oats are neither precooked, pressed, nor rolled which means they take longer to cook and have a chewier texture.
Rolled oats, on the other hand, are made by steaming whole oat groats and then rolling them to make large, thin, flaky oats. Rolled Oats cook faster and have a softer texture, making them great for baking.
How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Bring water to a boil in a small pot. Stir in the oats and salt and mix well. Right away you’ll notice the tough oats start to absorb the boiled water. Cover and cool completely before placing in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, cook the oat mixture over medium heat for 5 minutes with an additional cup of water, or milk (for even creamier oats).
Stir often and cook until desired consistency and texture are reached.
Liquid to Oats Cooking Ratio
As a general rule, whenever you make overnight steel cut oats you will need 2:1 liquid to oats cooking ratio. So, for every 1 cup of steel cut oats, plan on 2 cups of liquid.
Toppings and Mix-Ins
This is a perfect base recipe. Enjoy plain and simple, or add your favorite toppings and mix-ins to make it your own.
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Honey, maple syrup, or granulated sugar or brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
- Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans
- Chia seeds and flax seeds
- Chocolate chips
- Protein powder
- Dried fruit
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Easily prepare a big batch of these overnight steel cut oats by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling the recipe. Just follow the 2:1 liquid to oats ratio. Keep the leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or divide between smaller jars.
- Leftover overnight oatmeal made with steel cut oats will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- The oats will have a chewier texture on day one, and progressively get softer and more tender as the days go on.
- You may reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. To reheat on the stovetop, place pot with the oats over medium heat. Slowly stir in water or milk until desired consistency is reached and it’s heated through. To reheat in the microwave, place desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl with a few tablespoons of milk or water. Heat on high heat at 15-second intervals until warmed through.
- To freeze leftover overnight steel cut oatmeal, allow oats to soak for at least 8 hours before transferring to smaller, air-tight containers. Transfer to the freezer. Defrost in the refrigerator.
Looking for more delicious oat recipes? Try these reader favorites:
- Rolled Oats vs. Quick Oats
- Baked Oatmeal Cups Recipe
- Crunchy Fall Spiced Granola Recipe
- How to Make the Best Granola Recipe Ever
- Easy Baked Oatmeal Recipe (Dairy-Free)
- Winter Vegetable Soup
Have you tried making this Easy Overnight Steel Cut Oat 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.
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 cup milk of choice (see notes)
Optional Additions
- Chia seeds (flax seeds or hemp seeds)
- Sweetener (honey or sugar)
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Nut butter (almond butter or peanut butter)
- Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan with a fitted lid.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in the steel cut oats and salt.
- Cover with a tight lid (or foil) and allow the oats to come to room temperature. Transfer the pot to the refrigerator to soak overnight.
- In the morning, remove the oats from the refrigerator. You may enjoy them cold as is, with a splash of milk, or warm.
- To reheat, put the pot over medium to medium-low heat. Stir often using a wooden spoon to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Slowly add in the milk, stirring continuously. Continue to cook until heated through and the overnight oats reach the consistency and texture you desire.
- Top with your favorite toppings.
Jessica’s Notes
- If you prefer not to add any type of milk, water may also be used. Milk (plant-based or dairy-based) will give help give the oats a nice and creamy texture.
- Nutritional information does not include toppings or sweeteners.
- You may also prepare this recipe using small mason jars for smaller individual servings. For best results, place 1/4 cup of steel cut oats in 4 small mason jars and fill with 1/2 cup of boiling water each. Mix well to combine, cover each jar, allow them to cool, and transfer to the refrigerator to thicken overnight.
- These overnight steel cut oats will last for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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