Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Hearty and healthy, steel cut oatmeal in the Instant Pot is the weekday breakfast winner. Creamy, perfectly cooked steel cut oats are ready in minutes without much hands on time at all. The perfect way to start your day.

This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and love.

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

I’ve been a steel cut oatmeal fan for decades. I love how something so granular and crunchy can be transformed into a creamy, hearty bowl of comfort with a bit of time and patience. But patience is always my downside when it comes to whipping up a batch of my favorite oats. They do take time to cook and who has a spare hour on a weekday morning.

So, I started making my steel cut oatmeal in the slow cooker with excellent results but I don’t really love sleeping when the crock pot is plugged in all night. But that’s just me, lots of you LOVE this slow cooker oatmeal recipe and, honestly, I do still make it.

And while I love grabbing a jar of overnight oats out of the fridge in the morning, there’s nothing better than a hot bowl of oatmeal to get the day started.

NOW, I have an Instant Pot (this is the one I own and LOVE!) and, in an effort to use it more often, I gave Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats a try. And BOY am I glad I did! In a fraction of the time it takes to cook them on the stovetop, you can have perfectly cooked oats read to go in an Instant. (Pun totally intended, here.)

Health Benefits of Steel Cut Oatmeal

Steel cut oats are considered a super food (in my book, anyway) because they are an excellent source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals. The benefits of steel cut oats exceed the benefits of rolled oats because of the way they are processed.

Because steel cut oats are minimally processed, and because they contain more fiber and density than other oat varieties, steel cut oats are one of the healthiest grains available to eat. This alone makes Steel Cut Oats a much better choice than quick oats or rolled oats.

How to Make Them

I’ve made oatmeal a number of ways over the years but this Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe is so insanely easy to make with just two ingredients….and one of them is water. The other is steel cut oats. It doesn’t get easier than that.

Simply dump the oats in the Instant Pot and stir in the water. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure. That’s it!!! Pressure Cooker oatmeal in about 10 minutes.

Now, I love my steel cut oatmeal but you can also make this recipe using rolled oats, as well. I just love the nutty bite of a steel cut oat. You can also make a big batch of oatmeal to freeze in a muffin tin for an even EASIER weekday breakfast. I love to top the oats with different toppings like nuts, chocolate or fruit before freezing so it’s an all in one grab and go breakfast.

How To Cook Oatmeal In The Instant Pot

This is one of the easiest oatmeal recipes you’ll ever make. Seriously.

Add the oats to the Instant Pot and pour in the water. Give it a little stir. You can use half water and half milk or almond milk, if you wish but I prefer to use all water and flavor the oatmeal after it’s done cooking. 

If you’re making a big batch for easy weekday breakfasts, you’ll need to add a little liquid when reheat it since the oats absorb the moisture. That’s when I like to add a bit of milk, cream, coconut milk or almond milk.

Once you’ve added your liquid, lock the lid and place the valve to sealed. Cook the oats on high pressure and allow the pressure to release naturally when done cooking. 

And done. See how easy that is?!?!

Steel Cut Oats vs. Rolled Oats

Steel cut and old fashioned rolled oats are made from the same whole grain cereal oat, and carry the same nutritional value, they’re just processed differently. They’re both:

• High in soluble fiber for healthy digestion
• Naturally gluten free (unless processed in a plant that also processes gluten containing products, check your labels.)
• Nutrient dense
• Help in lowering cholesterol

Here’s what’s different:

Rolled oats (also called old fashioned oats) are oat kernels (groats) that are steamed and then rolled into flakes, then toasted, creating a flatter surface area so they cook faster.

Steel cut oats (also called Irish Oatmeal) are cut by steel blades, making them chunkier and taking 3-4 times as long to cook as old fashioned oats.

But when you cook them in the slow cooker, they’re done in about the same amount of time….give or take a minute.

You can add flavoring to your Instant Pot Oatmeal if you’d like by tossing in a cinnamon stick, star anise or a pinch of salt. 

Topping Ideas

You can make this a savory oatmeal or a sweet oatmeal just by the toppings. Here are a few of my favorites:

SAVORY

• Cheddar and Chives
• Kale, Parmesan and Toasted Pine Nuts
• Sundried Tomatoes, Spinach and Mozzarella

SWEET

• Cinnamon, Chocolate and Raspberries
• Banana, Peanut Butter and Chopped Peanuts
• Strawberries, Blueberries and Honey

If you’re reheating your oatmeal after making it in advance, stir in a bit of milk or almond milk until the desired consistency before adding your toppings.

Want to see what else we’re cooking up for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

More Easy Oatmeal Recipes

• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
• Bananas Foster Baked Oatmeal
• Pumpkin Praline Baked Oatmeal
• How to Make Muesli