Overnight Steel Cut Oats
These steel cut overnight oats are creamy, nutty, and lightly sweetened with honey or maple syrup. The oats are briefly simmered in water, then mixed with milk, cinnamon, and peanut butter (or almond butter) before resting overnight. A wholesome, make-ahead breakfast that's both hearty and naturally gluten-free.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 229kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups water - See notes
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- pinch of salt
- ½-1 cup milk - dairy or plant-based, see notes
- 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup - or honey (optional)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter - or almond butter (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon - (optional)
- Optional toppings: fresh fruit, chopped nuts, seeds, or extra nut butter
Instructions
- Simmer the oats: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the steel cut oats and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the oats begin to absorb the liquid.
- Remove from heat: Turn off the heat and let the oats cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the ½ to 1 cup of milk, the maple syrup (or honey), preferred nut butter, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
- Cover and chill: Cover the pot or transfer the oats to a lidded container. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Serve: In the morning, stir the oats and add more milk as needed. Enjoy cold or warmed gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Notes
- Water or Milk Options: You can make this recipe using only water for a lighter, less creamy texture, or only milk (dairy or non-dairy) for extra richness and creaminess. Simmering the oats in a 2:1 liquid-to-oats ratio applies either way.
- Texture: Briefly simmering the oats softens them just enough for a creamy yet slightly chewy bite.
- Sweeteners: Adjust to taste with honey, maple syrup, agave, or your preferred natural sweetener.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir in a splash of milk or water before serving to loosen the oats.
- Freezer Option: Freeze in single portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving cold or reheating gently with a little extra milk or water.
Nutrition
Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 2mg
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