Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats are a healthy and hearty breakfast that is quick and easy to make. This Instant Pot Oatmeal doesn’t require any stirring, it’s quicker than cooking steel cut oats on the stove top and always turns out creamy and delicious.
Oatmeal is a nutritious, budget-friendly and versatile breakfast option yet some people think of it as a bland and mushy option you should only eat during hospital visits.
Instant oatmeal packets are loaded with sugar which counteracts all the health benefits of cooked oatmeal.
Homemade oatmeal doesn’t have to be plain and boring. There is a variety of oatmeal toppings and mix ins that will transform any basic oatmeal recipe into the best breakfast ever!
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
Steel Cut Oats also called Irish oatmeal and pinhead oats, have a great chewy texture and nutty flavor.
There are different ways to cook steel cut oats besides the stove top. These oats can be cooked in the microwave, a slow cooker or crockpot and can be made like overnight oatmeal however, my favorite method of cooking steel cut oats is in the pressure cooker. The pressure cooker seals in the flavors and cooks the oats to tender perfection in only 6 minutes. That is what I call a quick oats recipe!
What is the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats?
Are you wondering what are steel cut oats and what makes them different and more flavorful than other oats? Steel Oats are less processed than rolling oats and quick oats. Let me break it down for you.
- Oat Groats: This is the de-hauled oat grain. This is the most intact form of this grain sold in markets.
- Steel Cut Oats, Irish Oats or Pinhead Oats: These are oat goats that have been chopped with steel blades into 2 or 3 pieces. This makes them minimally processed. Steelcut oats are have a better texture and flavor than other varieties.
- Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are made from oat groats that have been steamed so they can pass through roller mills without cracking. Rolled oats come in many varieties. Each variety requires different cooking times and are also different in thickness. Regular Old Fashioned Oats are thicker than Quick Cooking Oats and Instant Oats are the thinnest of them all.
- Scottish Oats: These are simple oat groats that have been ground. They are great for baking.
Ingredients for Steel Cut Oats in Instant Pot
- Steel Cut Oats
- Water: You can use almond milk or a combination of water and cow’s milk, however you should use more water than milk.
- Butter: This is an optional ingredient. I like toasting the oats in a little butter for added flavor.
- Pinch of Salt
Cooking Steel Cut Oats in the Pressure Cooker (how to process steps)
- Turn the instant pot to sauté. melt the butter and toast the oats for a couple of minutes. Press cancel.
- Pour in the water and salt.
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. After the pressure cooking time is over, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 to 15 minutes. Release the remain pressure. Open the lid and stir.
Are Steel Cut Oats Gluten Free?
Oats are naturally gluten free. Some oats are processed in facilities that process products with gluten. This can cause cross contamination. It’s best to read the product’s label to make sure it is certified gluten-free.
Benefits of Cooking Steel Cut Oatmeal in Instant Pot
I like to cook steel cut oats in the pressure cooker because it reduces the cooking time significantly. There’s no soaking required, it can be made ahead and in big batches. You can make instant pot oatmeal “hands-free” as no stirring is required. Just set the cooking time and let the pressure cooker do the work.
Is Steel Cut Oatmeal Healthier?
Steel Cut Oats like other types of oats have many health benefits. Oats are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant-based protein.
Studies have shown that oats can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels and assist in weight loss.
Oats is a whole grain that is naturally gluten-free which is great for people with celiac disease.
What Is The Ratio of Water To Steel Cut Oats?
For perfectly creamy oatmeal, I use:
- 1 part steel cut oats : 3 parts water or dairy free milk.
- If you would like to use dairy for cooking the oatmeal, use 1 part steel cut oats : 1.5 parts water : 1.5 part cow’s or goat milk.
Do You Rinse Steel Cut Oats Before Cooking?
When making Instant Pot oatmeal, you don’t need to rinse or soak the oat before pressure cooking them.
How Long Do Steel Cut Oats Take To Cook?
- When cooking steel cut oats in the pressure cooker, I set the Instant Pot timer for 6 minutes of cooking time on high pressure. This results in super creamy oats.
- I allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes.
- The instant pot takes about 8 minutes to come to pressure.
- Cooking Instant Pot steel cut oats from start to finish takes 24 minutes of completely hands free cooking.
Topping and Mix Ins for Steel Cut Oatmeal in Instant Pot
- Nut Butters: Add some extra protein by mixing in peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or your favorite nut butter!
- Milk: you can use dairy or plant based milk for extra creaminess.
- Fresh or Frozen Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, apples, mango, etc.
- Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries, dried cherries, raisins, dried apricots, dates, dried coconut shavings and prunes among others.
- Cooked Fruit: Applesauce, compotes and jams are good options.
- Nuts and Seeds: Chopped pecans, sliced almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and more!
- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate: Chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, dark chocolate shavings or Nutella.
- Honey and Syrups: Maple syrup, butter pecan or fruit syrups.
- Spices and Extracts: Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, vanilla extract, almond extract.
- Savory Toppings: Grated cheese, olive oil, butter, fried, poached or scrambled eggs, avocado slices, olive tapenade, roasted, sautéed or grilled veggies, nutritional yeast or bouillon powder, leafy greens like fresh arugula.
Storing and Freezing Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
This hearty instant pot porridge can be made ahead and in big batches which is great if you want to meal prep.
How to Refrigerate Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
Allow the instant pot oatmeal to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For convenience, divide the oatmeal into smaller portions. You can store individual or small servings topped with fruit and nut butters. You can keep the fruit topped in the fridge for 2-3 days (depending on which fruit you use).
How to Freeze Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
You can freeze oatmeal for up to 3 months. To freeze oatmeal in small portions, place the cooled cooked oatmeal in muffin tins, ice cube trays or silicone molds. Place these in the freezer. When frozen, you can remove the oatmeal from the trays or molds and transfer them to freezer safe resealable storage bags or airtight containers. Place in the freezer.
For bigger portions, use airtight containers. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
You can reheat oatmeal in the microwave or on the stove top over medium heat. Add additional water, milk or almond milk as needed to adjust the consistency of the oatmeal.
Steel Cut Oats Instant Pot Recipe Tips
- If you prefer, you can skip toasting the oats in butter. Simply add the oats, water and salt and cook as directed.
- The butter adds a rich taste to the oats. If you worry about the calories, the amount of butter used is very little for the amount of oatmeal this recipe yields.
- When you open the lid of the pressure cooker, you will see that there’s liquid on top of the oats. You can stir the oats to incorporate the liquid (this is what I usually do) or just allow the oatmeal to sit for 20 minutes. The oatmeal will absorb the liquid.
- Make sure to use Steel Cut Oats (Irish Oats) to make this recipe.
Take A Look At These Other Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
- Bananas Foster French Toast
- How To Cook Bacon In The Oven
- Nutella French Toast Roll Ups
- Double Chocolate Waffles
- Potato and Chorizo Hash
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter optional
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 3 cups water or almond milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot/pressure cooker to “saute”. Melt the butter and stir in the steel cut oats. Toast the oats, stirring frequently for a couple of minutes or until the butter has been absorbed and the oats are fragrant. Press the keep warm/cancel button on the instant pot.
- Add the water or almond milk and the salt. Close the lid and lock the pot. Make sure your release valve is in the sealing position.
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then do a quick release for the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and stir the oats as some of the liquid may have stayed on top. Serve with your favorite mix-ins and/or toppings.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Make sure you use steel cut oats (Irish Oats) to make this recipe.
- If you prefer, you can skip toasting the oats in butter. Simply add the oats, water and salt and cook as directed.
- When you open the lid of the pressure cooker, you will see that there’s liquid on top of the oats. You can stir the oats to incorporate the liquid (this is what I usually do) or just allow the oatmeal to sit for 20 minutes. The oatmeal will absorb the liquid.
- Cooked steel cut oatmeal will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Store it in an airtight container.
- This recipe freezes well.
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