Whether you make a big batch for the week or whip up a fresh bowl in the morning, this steel cut oats recipe is done right and quickly. A nutritious, cozy, budget-friendly breakfast that’s endlessly customizable.
⭐️ Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal: recipe at a glance
- Totally hands-free: No stirring or babysitting required. Perfect for busy mornings
- Super creamy texture: If you are wondering how to make oatmeal super creamy, the pressure cooker does it for you!
- Meal-prep friendly: Make ahead, let them cool, store in a sealed container and refrigerate or freeze for later use. You can also store individual portions for an on-the-go breakfast.
- Customizable: What’s oatmeal without toppings? Sweet or savory toppings make every breakfast bowl different. Suggestions below!
- Dietary: Oats are naturally gluten-free but some brands process their oats in facilities that process grains that contain gluten. This recipe is made with 3 ingredients oats, water and salt which keeps this recipe vegan. Optional additions are butter and/or or milk. Choose plant-based options if preferred.
🔎 What is Steel Cut Oatmeal?
Steel-cut oats are a minimally processed whole grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. They’re rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, plant-based protein, iron, and antioxidants. This nutrients are linked to heart health, cholesterol control, and steady energy through the morning.
Because steel cut oats are digested more slowly than instant varieties, they can help support more stable blood sugar levels, especially when paired with protein, healthy fats, or fruit.
🔎 Ingredients, Substitutions and Swaps
For the complete list of ingredients and their exact quantities, check the printable recipe card below.
- Steel cut oats: Also known as Irish oats or “pinhead” oats. When possible buy organic oats that are minimally processed.
- Water: That is all that is needed however adding a healthy splash of milk, almond milk, cashew milk or oatmilk adds richness and extra creaminess to the end result.
- Pinch of salt: I use sea salt or Kosher salt.
- Optional: Toasting the oats in a little bit of butter (or plant-based butter) gives the oatmeal a richer, nuttier flavor.
🔎 How to Make Steel Cut Oats Like a Pro?
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for exact directions and cooking times.
- Toast the Oats (optional but worth it!): Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and melt the butter. Add the steel cut oats and toast until fragrant. This step deepens the nutty flavor, just like toasting grains or spices.
- Add Liquid: Pour in the water (or water with a bit of plant-based milk such as almond milk or oatmilk), and a pinch of salt. Stir briefly to combine.
- Pressure Cook: Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure cook on High for 6 minutes. Once the timer finishes, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. This builds a luxuriously creamy texture. Then carefully release any remaining pressure.
- Stir and Serve: Open the lid and stir as some liquid may sit on top; that’s normal. The oats will absorb it as they cool. Serve with your favorite toppings.
🔪 Recipe Tips: Prep & Adjustments
- Natural release matters: Letting the pressure release naturally makes your oatmeal extra creamy and fluffy.
- Avoid burnt notices: Make sure you use more water than dairy milk to help minimize the Instant pot’s burn warnings. Remember you can always add milk (regular or plant-based right before serving.
- Make it ahead: Cook a big batch, then refrigerate it or freeze it. Storing oatmeal in individual portions makes busy mornings a lot easier.
- Toasting the oats is optional: I highly recommend toasting the oats in a bit of butter (or plant-based butter) as it adds a rich, nutty taste to the oatmeal. However, If you prefer, you can skip this step.
🔎 How to Customize your Oatmeal Bowl?
Plain oatmeal is like a white canvas of nutritious goodness. Like plain rice or toast, they can be dressed, topped and drizzled to your taste. Most important, most of the suggestions below, are probably already sitting in your pantry or fridge.
- For oatmeal with a creamier texture: Add a healthy splash of milk or plant-based milk right after the cooking is done. Stir and enjoy!
- Add protein to your oatmeal: Serve with a swirl of nut butters (peanut butter, cashew or almond butter are our favorites). Mix in a hefty sprinkle of chia seeds or flaxseeds.
- Make it sweeter: Fruits like berries, bananas, apples, and mango are great toppings. Frozen fruit can be used as well. Dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, chopped dates or apricots, and coconut flakes add sweetness and flavor. A swirling of Nutella or fruit jams, a drizzle of maple syrup or date syrup are always a good idea.
- Crunchy toppings: Chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, seeds like pepitas and pumpkin seeds, and/or nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts or Crunchy Candied Pecans, give this porridge a bit of crunch.
- Spice it up: Using spices like cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice add warmth and flavor.
- For a savory twist: Top your steel cut oatmeal with sautéed greens, a soft-boiled egg, poached eggs, grated cheese, nutritional yeast, olive oil, or avocado slices.
🔎 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 groats 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ratio of steel cut oats to water?
To cook steel-cut oats in the pressure cooker, I use 1 part steel cut oats : 3 parts water or for a creamier texture I use 2.5 cups water and half cup of dairy or plant-based milk. If cooking on the stove top, use 1 part of oats with 3 to 4 cups of water (or a combination of water and dairy or plant based milk.
Which is healthier, regular oatmeal or steel cut oatmeal?
Steel cut oats are consider a bit healthier because they are less process than regular or instant oatmeal.
Are steel cut oats gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free however some oats are processed in facilities that process products containing gluten. Check the label to make sure is certified gluten-free.
Do you need to rinse the oats before cooking them?
No. Rinsing oats before cooking is unnecessary.
🔎 Make Ahead, Storage, Freezing and Reheating
- Make Ahead and Storing: Store cooled oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge or 7 days.
- Freezer: Portion into freezer containers or freezer-safe resealable bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.Thaw in the refrigerator, overnight.
- Reheating: It can be heated in the microwave or on the stove to over low heat. Stir in additional water, dairy or plant-based milk as needed to adjust the consistency of the oatmeal.
💛 Intentional Cooking
Your priorities, your recipe. Learn about Intentional Cooking.
A simple budget-friendly breakfast like oatmeal remind us that nourishing food doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive or complicated. Steel cut oats is an ingredient known to lower cholesterol and keep your sugar levels steady. If your budget permits, buy eco-friendly, options. Minimally processed, organic, non-MGO oats are best. Sugary instant oatmeal packages are convenient but throughout the years I have been limiting them and only eating them when other options aren’t available (like when traveling).
👀 Take a look at these other breakfast recipes:
🛒 Essentials you’ll adore for this recipe
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Instant Pot Duo 6Qt.
I’m not big on kitchen gadgets, but my pressure cooker is a non-negotiable. There’s a reason they’re standard in restaurant kitchens. They cook faster and lock in flavor. I own this model in three sizes… I call that commitment.
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Steel-Cut Oats – Organic
Made from freshly milled organic oats, these oats are minimally processed. They have a chewy texture and firmer bite than rolled oats. I personally use this brand – and they aren’t paying me to tell you that.
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Glass Jars, Airtight with Bamboo Lids
These stylish, glass jars are airtight, reusable and non-toxic. They are ideal for meal-prep.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, optional
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 3 cups water, or almond milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Optional Step (toasting the oats)
- Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and melt the butter. Add the steel cut oats and toast them, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 2 minutes. This optional step deepens the flavor and gives the oats a nice toasty, nutty taste. Press the keep warm/cancel button and add water/salt. Stir to combine.
Without toasting the oats
- Add the steel cut oats, water and salt into the instant pot. Mix to combine. Alternatively, you can use a bit less water and add a big splash of milk (dairy or plant-based) to make the oatmeal a bit creamier. Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- 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. This softens the oats creating a luxurious creamy texture. Then carefully release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and stir the oats as some of the liquid may have stayed on top. The longer the oats sit, the more they will absorb any liquid. Serve with your favorite mix-ins and/or toppings.
Notes
- Get the right oats: This recipe is made with steel cut oats, aka Irish oats or pinheads
- Toasting the oats: This is an optional step that only takes about 2-3 minutes and adds a nice toasty, nutty flavor to the oats. You can use regular or vegan butter.
- Water vs milk: Because we are pressure cooking oatmeal, make sure you use mostly water for this recipe. You can supplement some of the water with milk, but too much dairy may give you a “burnt error”
- After pressure cooking: When you open the lid of the pressure cooker, you will see that there’s liquid on top of the oats. (this is normal). Simply stir to combine.
- Too runny?: If the oatmeal seems too runny for your taste, allow it to sit in the pot for 10-20 minutes. The oats will absorb the liquid.
- Make oatmeal extra creamy: Add a healthy splash of milk, almond milk, cashew milk or oatmeal, str and allow the oats to absorb the liquid until you reach your desire consistency.
- Storage: Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
- Freeze. Cool and store in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Instant Pot coming to pressure: Depending on the model, pressure cookers may take 8 to 15 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking timer starts. This time is not included in our calculations above.
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