Instant Pot Oatmeal makes for a fast, easy, and healthy breakfast. Prepared completely hands-off in just minutes, old-fashioned oats cook up to a perfectly creamy consistency right in the Instant Pot. This simple oatmeal recipe can be dressed up and served in endless ways for a wholesome breakfast you will never tire of eating.
While waking up to a slow cooker full of steel-cut oats is dreamy, and grabbing a jar of overnight oatmeal from the refrigerator is a great start to a hot summer morning, I am in love with Instant Pot Oatmeal for many reasons.
- Completely Hands-Off. No waiting for the water to boil. No stirring while cooking. Just set it and forget it.
- Ready in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. I can set everything up for oatmeal in the pressure cooker when I wake up and by the time I have gotten my kids out of bed and dressed, breakfast is ready to be served.
- Customizable. I can make a large batch of oatmeal that can be customized in a million different ways to please everyone in my family. So the person who doesn't like bananas can have raisins and walnuts instead--you get the idea.
- Healthy. Oats are a great source of fiber and whole grains and have a lower GI index, which can help regulate blood sugar. Instant Pot Oatmeal is a breakfast that will keep you full for HOURS.
- Affordable: Oats are an inexpensive staple that can be found at just about any store or purchased in bulk online.
- Allergy-Friendly. This recipe for oatmeal is naturally egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free. And with a few simple modifications, Instant Pot Oatmeal can also be gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Kid-Friendly. While I love Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats, my kids much prefer the texture of regular oatmeal, as do most kids. And with limitless varieties, they never tire of eating this Instant Pot Oatmeal.
👉Given that you can prepare Instant Pot Oatmeal so quickly and it is such a healthy breakfast option, this is a recipe you will find yourself making again and again!
What you Need
- Oats: This recipe is designed for old-fashioned rolled oats. not quick-cooking or steel-cut oats. Be sure that your oats are labeled gluten-free if needed.
- Milk: For the creamiest oatmeal, use any variety of milk or nondairy milk as a portion of your cooking liquid.
- Water: For the best results, use water in addition to milk to cook the oats.
- Flaxseed: Flaxseed is an optional ingredient that adds omega fatty acids and fiber to the oatmeal. You can use either whole flaxseed for added texture or ground flaxseed for this oatmeal recipe.
- Heat-Safe Bowl: To cook the oats in a mixture of water and dairy, you will need a heat-safe bowl.. I recommend a stainless steel bowl, but a deep cake pan designed for the instant pot will work as well.
- Rack: Use a metal trivet to lift the bowl above the water.
How to Cook Instant Pot Oatmeal
Making old-fashioned oats in the Instant Pot is incredibly simple. RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE.
- Place the trivet in the inner pot of your pressure cooker and pour in 1 cup of cold water for 6-quart instant pots and 1.5 cups of water for an 8-quart Instant Pot.
👉Remember to use cold tap water, not warm water as that will ultimately change the cooking time.
- In a heat-safe bowl, mix the oats and liquid together with a bit of flaxseed, and then place that bowl onto the rack inside the prepared Instant Pot.
- Put the lid on your instant pot, turn your valve to "sealed", and set your pressure cooker to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. I have found it takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Allow your oatmeal to sit in the Instant Pot for 5-10 minutes before doing a quick release of the remaining pressure--see my tips on doing a quick release in my Instant Pot 101.
👉I would not release the pressure right away, because this may cause your oatmeal to bubble up and spill out the pot it is being prepared in.
- Serve the oatmeal warm with any desired toppings.
Flavor Varieties
There are about as many varieties of oatmeal as there are people. One of the main reasons I love to make a big batch of plain Instant Pot Oatmeal is so that each person can flavor their oatmeal exactly as they desire.
Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot Oatmeal serving ideas. Each recipe is for one serving of oatmeal.
- Vanilla Maple: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and ½ tablespoon maple syrup.
- Almond Joy: use coconut milk as your dairy or top cooked oatmeal with a bit of coconut milk before serving and top with mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and toasted almonds
- Pumpkin Pie: mix in 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin puree, ½ tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Raisin Nut: top oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon and 1-2 tablespoons each of raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Apple Pie: top oatmeal with chopped fresh apple, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup.
- Honey Nut: stir in 1 tablespoon honey and top with toasted nuts of any variety.
- Pina Colada: top oatmeal with pineapple chunks, toasted coconut, and sliced bananas. Serve with a splash of coconut milk.
- Savory Sausage and Cheese: add in ¼ cup cooked crumbled sausage and ¼ cup shredded cheese.
- Savory Bacon and Egg: top oatmeal crumbled bacon and a fried egg
- Berries and Cream: stir in ¼ cup of fresh berries. ½ teaspoon vanilla and ¼ cup yogurt
Preparing In Advance
Even if you are cooking for one, I recommend preparing a full batch of Instant Pot Oatmeal. Once cooked, allow the oatmeal to cool slightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings as desired.
FAQs on Making Oatmeal in the Instant Pot
No! I prefer to make my oats using milk to keep the oatmeal super creamy. That said, if you are not using dairy or nondairy milk to make your oatmeal, there is no need to use the pot-in-pot cooking method. Simply mix together 2 cups of oats with 3 cups of water directly inside the inner pot. Cook on HIGH pressure for 1 minute (not 3 minutes) with 5-10 minutes of natural pressure release.
For oats to cook properly, you need to use a ratio of 3:2 liquid to oats. When cooking oats in your instant pot, much like rice, you will NOT need as much liquid as you do when cooking on the stovetop. This is because, when you cook oats on the stove, some of the liquid is evaporated, but in the pressure cooker, no liquid is evaporated.
NO! When I first wrote this post, I suggested using an oven-safe glass dish, since then Pyrex has come out to say that their dishes are not safe in the Instant Pot, therefore I no longer recommend using any glass heat-safe dish. Stainless steel is the way to go to be safe!
Yes! To use quick-cooking oats simply reduce the cooking time from 3 minutes on HIGH pressure to 1 minute on HIGH pressure.
More Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
- Instant Pot Yogurt
- Perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
If you enjoyed this recipe for Instant Pot Oatmeal, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup water plus water for inside pressure cooker
- 2 cups milk any variety
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed
Instructions
- Insert the trivet into the Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup of cold water inside the inner pot for a 3 or 6-quart instant pot and 1.5 cups of cold water into an 8-quart instant pot.
- Inside a 7-cup heat-safe bowl, mix together the oats, 1 cup water, 2 cups milk, and flaxseed. Please note that Pyrex is NO longer approved for using inside and instant pot.
- Place the bowl on top of the trivet and put the lid on the Instant pot. Set Valve to "sealed" and set manual or time to 3 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5-10 minutes before carefully releasing any additional steam by using a wooden spoon to turn valve to vent.
- Remove the bowl carefully from the pressure cooker and then serve with desired toppings or allow to cool and store in fridge to reheat as needed.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- You need a total of 3 cups liquid to 2 cups oats for oats to cook properly. If you want your oats to be really loose, use an additional ½ cup of dairy or water.
- You can use all water or all dairy. In my experience all water is incredibly bland and using all dairy/non-dairy as your liquid doesn't result in oats breaking down into a creamy texture.
- It is important to note if you are using a high-fat dairy (like coconut cream or whole milk) you MUST use only half full-fat dairy products with half water so the fat in your dairy will not separate.
- You will also need additional water under the trivet for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2017, updated in 2022 with a new video.
Rickie Bansbach
Tried your recipe today in my Instant Pot and it turned out really well! So much easier than standing there by the stove and stirring, stirring, stirring. Thank you for taking the time to work it out and share it.
I used all water for the liquid so I can share some oatmeal with my dogs.
And I have to tell you about these pots! I've been looking for pots or bowls to use in my Instant Pot for pot-in-pot cooking. Found a set of bowls that are practically perfect. Stainless steel, the have lids, and they have handles!
They come in a set of three. The medium and small bowls fit in the Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1.
KINDEN Mixing Bowl Stainless Steel -12mm Composite Bottom Nesting Bowls with Handle and Lids for Pressure Cooker, Food Preparation, Fruit, Salad, Camping, Storage, Durable 3 Piece Set,2QT,3QT &4QT
https://amzn.to/2CMiq0F
Kristen Chidsey
I love that you are sharing your oatmeal with you dogs so sweet! And those bowls are great!! Thank you for sharing that as well.
Molly
I've been looking for a recipe to make oatmeal for the entire week of breakfasts - how do you reheat this recipe? In the microwave? Do you add liquid in before heating?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Molly--that is exactly what I do for the week myself. Once it is done cooking in the pressure cooker, I let it cool and then cover and store in fridge. In mornings, I dish out oatmeal into bowls and add a bit extra milk (if needed) and reheat individual servings in microwave. This works best for my family as on school days breakfast is at different times for each of us. Hope that helps!
Alicia
HELP! I have tried 3 times and 3 times I have got the BURNT signal.
I put 1 cup of old fashioned oats with 3 cups of skimmed milk. Then only 1 min on high pressure and half way it says it is burnt. Why??????
🙁
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Alicia, I am so sorry for your frustration. You can not put dairy into your instant pot, unless you are using the pot in pot method. Dairy will cause your Instant Pot to get a burn notice. My directions state you need to place your oats and milk in an oven safe bowl. Then pour 1 cup water into the inner pot. Place trivet inside your instant pot and then place your oven safe bowl on trivet and proceed with cooking. If you do not want to use pot in pot you need to use only water to cook your oatmeal.
Anita
Third time I have used my insta pot. I didn't have a glass bowl that fit in my 6 qrt .instapot. I put ingredients into pot directly and I also used 2 cups if 1% milk for the liquid. Added raisins and cinnamon. Turned out perfect. Pot doesn't look to hard to clean up.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! So glad this was easy for you to follow!
Jane Anderson
I have the 8 quart instant pot. I like to use Pot in Pot so I am trying your recipe now. Should the pip be covered? With something like aluminum foil? How would it turn out if it was or wasn’t covered?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jane, there is no need to cover your pot in pot, unless the recipe states to do so. (In that case you would use foil) But this works perfectly uncovered. Enjoy!
annee
sooo i don't want 6 servings, can i do 1 cup oats and 1 cup water and 1 cup almond milk
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Annee! I have tried doubling this recipe and cutting in half with fabulous results. Use 1 cups of oats to 1.5 cups total liquid.
Judy
Thank you for this pip recipe. It came out perfectly creamy and delicious. I added 3/4 T of pure maple syrup, 2 T chia seeds and 2 cups vanilla almond cashew (25 calorie ea. cup) "milk" with the 1 cup of water mixed into the oats. I put in 1cup HOT water into the pot so that it would come to pressure faster, which it did (2 minutes to pressure). The entire time was 15 minutes. When I opened the lid I thought that there was too much liquid but then I remembered that stirring it several times would make the liquid get more incorporated into the oats. My other suggestion is to make aluminum foil packets (foil folded into thirds lengthwise and wrapped around the trivet handles to act like long handles) to make taking out the bowl with the oats in it easier. I just finished my last spoonful with banana and cinnamon. DELICIOUS! Thanks again, Judy
Kristen Chidsey
Yay!!! I am so glad you enjoyed this Judy! And love the tip for the aluminum foil trivets.
Kristin
Thank you for posting this recipe! I’m a newbie to IP cooking and this is my first PIP attempt. It turned out great. I used 3 cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk with my 2 cups oatmeal. So creamy. Going in as a breakfast rotation.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!! I am so glad you enjoyed! This Instant Pot can be overwhelming, so I am glad you found my explanations helpful.
Matt
Is the 1 cup of water in the bottom of the pot our of the 2 cups in the recipe? so 1 cup in the bottom and 1 cup in the oatmeal with 2 cups of dairy?
Kristen Chidsey
That is correct Matt! Enjoy!
Erica
Is the bowl placed inside the pressure cooker in order to make it easier to clean?
I reduced the water to 1c, and made it without the bowl and rack. (I couldn't find the rack.)
I am making the oatmeal now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Erica. The pot in pot method is NECESSARY if cooking your oatmeal with dairy. You can not pour dairy directly into your pressure cooker and not get the burn warning. If you are using all water, you will be fine--just a bit messier to clean up.
Kathleen Graham
Thank you so much for asking this question .... I was confused too and I was hoping someone had asked. I love things cooked in the instant pot and I think my husband will really enjoy this ... plus I don't have to worry about getting distracted and burning my oatmeal. Win/Win
Kristen Chidsey
I am glad you ask questions too!! It helps me better write posts in the future 🙂 I hope you love this oatmeal Kathleen!
Bill checco
Can steel cut be substituted? And would the water and or almond milk amounts change?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Bill, the directions would be different. Here are my directions for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats.
connie berg
Kristen, This is a 10 star recipe!
Thank you so much for sharing!!
I used vanilla flavor almond milk (next time trying coconut milk). I also added 1 Tbsp of chia seeds to your recipe. When done, I stirred in some blueberries & I used stevia for my sweeter.
Kristen Chidsey
WAHOO!!! I am so happy you shared your success with us all Connie! We love this recipe and grateful that others are finding it a success in their homes as well.
christa
i use 2 cups of water and 2 cups of oatmeal even when not using the extra bowl right?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Christa, If you are only using water, you would use 2 cups oats with 3 cups of water and then NO milk. Hope you enjoy!
Freddie
trying your receipe as I type.....really enjoy creamy oatmeal so I cannot image the instant pot doing anythning but at high pressure cook. sadly no bananas at hand at the moment but my 100% Canadian maple syrup is standing by. thanks so much.
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you enjoy Freddie! The IP makes the most creamy oatmeal in my opinion. And I have to say, I am partial to Canadian Maple Syrup, so I don't think you will be disappointed.
Jenny
This is amazing.Thank you for sharing recipe! Came out perfect!
Kristen Chidsey
WAHOO!!! Thanks for sharing your success Jenny!
Sean Mahan
I've never made instant pot before, but I'm definitely going to try it. Must be delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Oatmeal in your instant pot is spectacular.
Ss
We normally love doing banana and peanut butter oatmeal. Do you think u could add a mashed banana and some peanut butter to the oats and then do the high pressure? (using quick oats so 5 mins)
Kristen Chidsey
I LOVE peanut butter and banana together. I would definetely add 1-2 bananas sliced to the oatmeal and up to 1/4 cup peanut butter. As long as you are making this using the pot in pot method, there will be no issues at all adding the banana and peanut butter. If you are making this just in your inner pot--just add the peanut butter and banana on top of the oats and don't mix in until after it is finished cooking. And yes, 5 minutes for quick oats! Enjoy!
Megan
Thanks so much for the recipe! Other recipes I've found for oatmeal in the instant pot use all water, and my kids did not go for it. We have oatmeal at least once a week for breakfast--I'm going to try this next time!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I totally understand--my kids would not do just plain milk either! Enjoy!
Juliana
Thanks much for the recipe. My first try with oatmeal. Mine has chia seed, apples, & cinnamon in it. Hoping for a good batch cause I’ll make it every week. I love old fashioned oats like my mom used to make! Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope it turns out perfectly for you Juliana!