This recipe for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats is a fool-proof, hands-off method for making creamy, tender steel-cut oats effortlessly.
Oatmeal is one of my all-time favorite breakfast recipes. From slow cooker oatmeal to overnight oats to Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats, there are endless ways to prepare oatmeal, but the real reason that I turn to oats again and again for breakfast is that they are a powerhouse of nutrients.
Packed with whole grains, fiber, and vitamins, both rolled oats and steel-cut oats are exceptionally healthy and relatively cheap.
Unlike rolled oats, steel-cut oats have a chewier, heartier texture, which is fabulous if you don't care for mushy oatmeal. However, they do take longer to cook.
Enter the Instant Pot!
The Instant Pot cooks the steel-cut oats in minutes and the process is hands-off. Simply combine, press a button, and walk away to get ready for your day!
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal is a hearty, healthy staple for busy mornings! Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it also fills you up with all the good things that will keep you going strong for hours. And because the topping flavor and combinations for steel-cut oats are endless, you will never tire of this simple breakfast recipe.
Key Ingredients
This recipe for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats is cooked with both water and milk or non-dairy milk. This results in the creamiest, most delicious oatmeal and sets this recipe for Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oatmeal apart from the rest!
- Steel-Cut Oats: Be sure to use regular steel-cut oats, not quick-cook steel-cut oats or rolled oats, and select certified gluten-free steel-cut oats if needed. If you find yourself with rolled oats, follow my instructions for Instant Pot Oatmeal, not this recipe for steel-cut oatmeal.
- Liquid of Choice: I recommend a mixture of water and milk of your choice for the creamiest results. Use dairy or non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. It is important to note if you are using a high-fat dairy (like coconut cream or whole milk) do not use more than 1 full cup of full-fat dairy, to ensure the fat in your dairy will not separate.
- Flax Seed: This is an optional ingredient, but I like to add it to my oats for omega fatty acids and additional fiber.
Keys to Remember
Before I walk you through how to prepare steel-cut oatmeal, there are 3 key things to remember to achieve perfectly tender, perfectly creamy, and perfectly delicious Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats.
- Use Pot in Pot Cooking Method. If you are using a mixture of dairy and water to cook your oats, as I recommend, it is best to cook your oats in a separate stainless steel bowl placed on top of a trivet in the instant pot. This will prevent a burn notice and your milk from curdling when cooking. I have provided instructions below if you choose to cook your oats in water alone.
- Use a ratio of 1 cup of oats to 3 cups of liquid for perfect results every time. (***This does not include the water added inside the inner pot when using the pot-in-pot cooking method!) You will not need as much liquid when preparing steel-cut oats in a pressure cooker, as no liquid will evaporate while cooking, as it does on the stove.
- Allow the instant pot to release pressure naturally for at least 10 minutes. Do not do a quick release of pressure when cooking Steel Cut Oats. This will allow the oats to absorb the liquid and become perfectly tender. It will also help prevent oats from spewing out of your vent knob.
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot
- Pour 1.5 cups of cold tap water into the inner pot of your pressure cooker and place a metal trivet or rack inside the inner pot.
- In a stainless steel bowl, combine the oats, with water, milk of your choice, and flaxseed.
- Place the bowl of oats, uncovered, onto the trivet inside the inner pot.
- Place the lid on your instant pot, be sure the venting knob is sealed, and set to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes. This simply means to leave the instant pot alone.
- After 10 minutes, release any remaining pressure and carefully remove the inner pot.
- Dish up the oatmeal and serve with any toppings listed below, or one of your own creations.
Flavor Varieties for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
One of the main reasons I love to make a big batch of plain Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal, rather than flavoring the oats before pressure cooking, is so that each person can flavor their oatmeal exactly as they desire.
Here are a few of my favorite flavorings for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal. Each recipe is for one serving of oatmeal and should be added AFTER the steel-cut oats have been pressure cooked.
- Vanilla Maple: Stir ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ tablespoon of maple syrup into a serving of cooked oatmeal.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and a handful of chocolate chips to each serving of steel-cut oatmeal.
- Almond Joy: Serve steel-cut oats with mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and toasted almonds.
- Pumpkin Pie: Stir 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, ½ tablespoon of maple syrup, ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger into each serving of oatmeal.
- Raisin Nut: Top the prepared steel-cut oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon and 1-2 tablespoons each of raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Apple Pie: Serve the steel-cut oats with chopped fresh apple, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Honey Nut: Top the oatmeal with honey to taste and toasted nuts of any variety.
- Pina Colada: Top steel-cut oats with pineapple chunks, toasted coconut, and sliced bananas. Serve with a splash of coconut milk.
- Savory Sausage and Cheese: Top each bowl of oatmeal with ¼ cup cooked breakfast sausage and ¼ cup shredded cheese.
- Savory Bacon and Egg: Top the serving steel-cut oatmeal crumbled baked bacon and a fried egg or poached egg.
- Berries and Cream: Stir in ¼ cup fresh berries, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and ¼ cup plain or vanilla yogurt into each serving of oatmeal.
- Banana Chia Almond: Top steel-cut oats with sliced banana, 2 teaspoons chia seeds, and chopped almonds.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Made In Inner Pot
If you want to prepare steel-cut oats directly inside the inner pot without using the pot-in-pot cooking method, you need to make two key modifications.
- Use ONLY water as your cooking liquid. Combine 1 cup of steel-cut oats with 3 cups of water inside the inner pot. Feel free to double for a larger batch of oatmeal.
- Decrease the cooking time. Using a stainless steel pot inside the inner pot means the cooking time is a bit longer. If preparing directly in the inner pot, decrease the cooking time from 8 minutes to 6 minutes on high pressure. Be sure to still allow for 10 minutes of natural pressure release.
More Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
- Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole
- Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Frittata
If you enjoyed this recipe for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats, please leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cups steel-cut oats no exception!
- 1 cup water plus more for cooking inside the inner pot
- 2 cups dairy or non-dairy milk any variety*
- dash kosher salt
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed optional
Instructions
- Insert the trivet or rack inside the inner pot of your pressure cooker. Add 1-½ cups cold tap water to the inner pot.
- Inside a 7-cup heat-safe bowl, mix together the oats, 1 cup water, 2 cups milk of choice, a dash of salt, and flaxseed if using. Please note that Pyrex is NO longer approved for use inside an instant pot.
- Place the bowl on top of the trivet/rack and put the lid on Instant Pot. Set Valve to "sealed" and set the cooking time for 8 minutes on high pressure using the manual or pressure cook function.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the bowl carefully from the pressure cooker and then serve with desired toppings.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally shared in 2018 but updated in 2023 with a new video and photos.
YL Field Of Dreams
What kind of pot did you use inside the pot..was it stainless steel?
Kristen Chidsey
I actually used a glass oven safe dish.
YLFieldOfDreams
Turns out perfectly..like the addition of flax seed. 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
WAHOO!!! We just enjoyed this this morning!
Jacob
Newbie question: should I put a lid on the inner pot to prevent condensation getting in? I've never been quite sure with "inner pot" recipes!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jacob! I never worry about condensation for oats, but for something like a cheesecake or creme brulee or lasagna, I would cover with foil. Hope that helps.
jennifer
Thank you for the recipe. Can you recommend an online site to order fresh steel cut oats?
Thanks
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jennifer, I am not aware of any great company that ships FRESHLY cut steel cut oats. I purchase mine at a co-op where I buy my wheat grain too, but they don't ship. I do know that amazon has some great oats and I really like this brand: https://amzn.to/2WSshez. This brand is non-gmo and organic.
Ercilia Pinto
I need to make a batch of oatmeal for about 6 people. What amounts would you suggest. Also, can I do half 2% milk and 1/2 water (personally I make it in the microwave with only milk= super creamy). I got the IP just b4 Christmas and see many posts for 1 serving only...please help.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ercila. This recipe serves 6 and yes, you can use half 2% or even half whole milk. I hope you enjoy😊
Amanda
Aha! I am excited to try this out! I’m going to get it set up minus the liquids tonight and add the milk/water in the morning. I tried making some from a different recipe last week and kept getting the burn notice in my 8 qt instant pot. This pot-in-pot should fix that issue.
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, this will fix that burn notice for sure!! Enjoy!!
Linda
I'm new to Instant Pot cooking. I tried the steel cut oats in the recipe booklet with a 2:3 ratio of oats to liquid. I didn't think that was enough liquid. Your 1:3 is perfect. I use water, so I put everything right in the ceramic pot. I make a double batch and after cooled a bit, spoon the oats into 12-count muffin pans. (Using the instant pot, I do not fill up both pans like I used to when using the stove method.) I put wax paper over the tops and put in the freezer. Once frozen (about 5 hours or overnight), I put them into gallon zipper freezer bags and keep them in the freezer. I take out 2 each morning, put them in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes, add my almond milk, fruit, and eat!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Linda! I absolutely LOVE that you freeze your oatmeal in individual amounts. That is a great tip for busy mornings and meal prep. Thank you so much for sharing that with us all 🙂
Joanne Minuete
I used to make steel cut oats in crockpot overnight. Tried it in instant pot using 1 cup oats with 2 cups soy milk and 2 cups water. Noticed that via instant pot, it is not nearly as creamy and the steel cut are chewy and harder. I think I prefer crockpot. Did I do something wrong?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Joanne, the recipe is for 1 cup of oats to 3 cups liquid--so that would explain why this did not turn out for you. I am sorry your wasted time and ingredients, but I bet if you tried the recipe as stated mad with 1 cup oats, 1 cup soy milk and 1/2 cup water, you would have much better results. Hope that helps.
Christina
Thanks for your quick reply! Yes, the error was mine. Somehow I read (late last night), ONE cup of oats, not two. Boo! The outcome: yes, there was excess liquid, but the oats were still SUPER chewy (more than al dente, let’s say). It’s hard to imagine that too much liquid results in harder oats rather than softer, but I suppose I need to try again. Or go back to slow cooker water bath, which works just fine 🙂
Amanda W.
I have tried the steel cut oats with all fairlife milk and only about 1/2 cup of water several times and it always burns. I was searching how to use all dairy without burning and found you! Thank you! I am scared to put a pyrex bowl on my Instant pot....I am terrified of it exploding as my mother in law had a pyrex casserole dish explode in her oven once! Does Instant pot not sell a bowl to be able to do this in? Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Amanda! So glad you found my recipe! I have never had issues with glass bowls-but certainly understand your hesitation. These stainless steel bowls have sizes that fit in your instant pot--so they may be great for you. https://amzn.to/2UJnviu Let me know if you try them!
Diane Withiam
I've been looking for a way to make my single serving steel cut and think that bowl in a pot should work. Yours was the first blog I read to affirm that. I use 1/4 cup oats with 3/4 cup water. It's a little soupy and I will short the water next time. But it works. Now I need to learn to use the timer ... or get on the treadmill while my oats cook.
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I do find sometimes you may have to decrease the water. And for using the timer, this will help! I break down how to use it. https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-functions/
Becky
I'm a newbie with the instant pot and so far am loving it. I'm dying to make these oats, but don't have a 7 cup heat safe bowl. I'd like to make a half recipe, and would like to know if I'd need to adjust the cooking time?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Becky! To half this recipe, cook time remains the same! Enjoy!
fred
please disregard my previous post/message,,, i re-read the article and found my error,, enjoy your thanksgiving holiday!!!
Kristen Chidsey
No worries at all Fred!! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Gale
I made this following your method and will do it this way from now on! Since I do not have flaxseed I subbed it with quinoa. I used almond milk instead of dairy and cooked it an additional 2 minutes. The add-ins to my individual serving was mashed banana and chopped walnuts stirred in with a little bit of honey as the banana was already sweet. Yummy! My daughter-in-law uses cacao powder, unsweetened coconut flakes.and almond butter. So many ways to flavor this basic oatmeal. Thanks again!
Kristen Chidsey
Gale, I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe for Oatmeal. And both your version and your daughter in-law's sound delicious. My personal favorite is sliced banana and and peanut butter.
Gale
Thank you for posting this recipe. I do not have flax seed so I used quinoa with the steel cut oats. I actually cooked an extra 2 minutes as the texture still wasn’t quite there. After 5 minutes of NR I opened the luscious abscess it was perfect! To my individual serving I added mashed banana and chopped walnuts with a little honey. Yummy!
Kristen Chidsey
I am sure the added quinoa increased the cooking time, as it would have absorbed some of the liquid, where as the flax seed will not--but quinoa is a delicious add in. Love in!
Alyssa
I am all about that Almond Joy version. What a great (and convenient) breakfast!
Kristen Chidsey
That is my son's absolute favorite as well Alyssa. I am so glad you enjoy it too!
Sandra Shaffer
Steel cut oats are my favorite type of oats too, but I don't make them often because they do take a little planning, but not when using an Instant Pot! This is a game changer and I love all the variations you suggest, especially the savory cheese and sausage! On the menu for this weekend!
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, the Instant Pot makes steel cut oats a PERFECT option for busy mornings. I hope you enjoy the cheese and sausage variety!