Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats
This Instant Pot steel-cut oats recipe is the easiest way to make hearty and creamy steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast! Add your favourite toppings and enjoy a satisfying breakfast in minutes.
I love oatmeal for breakfast, but for the sake of convenience, it’s usually in overnight form: apple pie overnight oats, high-protein overnight oats, or espresso cinnamon overnight oats. But the Instant Pot makes steel-cut oats doable for a weekday breakfast!
While the traditional method of making steel-cut oats requires constant monitoring, with Instant Pot steel-cut oats, you simply add the ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. As if that’s not enough, a pressure cooker delivers consistently creamy results—oatmeal perfection every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats Recipe
- Quick. Steel-cut oats take much longer to cook than old-fashioned oats on the stovetop, but with the Instant Pot, they’re ready to eat in a matter of minutes.
- Convenient. Leave the Instant Pot to do its thing while you make your lunch or prep the toppings. No hovering over the stovetop required!
- Make it your own. Add your favourite toppings and mix-ins to make this recipe your own.
- Hearty breakfast. Steel-cut oatmeal is super satisfying; the kind of breakfast that sustains you all the way through to lunchtime.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Steel-cut oats – Not old-fashioned, rolled, or quick oats! Sometimes steel-cut oats are labeled as Irish oatmeal or coarse oatmeal.
- Water
- Plant milk – Whatever variety you like or have on hand; I recommend either unflavoured or vanilla.
- Vanilla extract – To enhance the flavour.
- Agave – This is optional; you can use maple syrup instead if you prefer.
Topping Ideas
- Blueberry walnut – Walnuts, blueberries, almond butter, and agave.
- Tropical – Coconut flakes, cubed mango, pecans, and raw cane sugar.
- Cozy apple cinnamon – Apple slices, raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- PB & banana – Banana slices, peanut butter, agave, and chia seeds.
How to Make Steel Cut Oats in an Instant Pot
- Combine. Add all of the ingredients to the Instant Pot except the toppings and stir.
- Cook. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Release the pressure naturally.
- Finish. Transfer the steel-cut oatmeal into bowls and add your favourite toppings. For a thinner consistency, add more plant milk.
Tips for Success
- Natural pressure release is key. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally instead of quick releasing. This extra time helps finish cooking the oats fully and contributes to their creamy texture.
- Stir before serving. After the pressure has naturally released and you’ve opened your Instant Pot, give the oatmeal a good stir to mix in any extra liquid on the top.
- Let them cool a bit. The Instant Pot steel-cut oats will thicken as they cool.
Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot steel-cut oatmeal is a hearty breakfast on its own, but you can round things out with fresh fruit on the side, or balance your sweet oats with savoury tempeh bacon or fluffy tofu scramble.
How to Store Leftovers
To store leftover Instant Pot steel-cut oats, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy your oats again, simply reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of plant milk or water to loosen them up.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes! To freeze this oatmeal, portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen in the microwave, adding additional plant milk to reach your desired consistency.
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Baby Oatmeal
- Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal Cups
- Vegan Baked Oats
- Banana Bread Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Enjoy friends! If you make this Instant Pot steel cut oats recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel-cut oats, 200 grams
- 2 ½ cups water, 592 ml
- 2 ¾ cups plant milk, 651 ml plus more for serving if desired
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 5 ml
- 2 tablespoons agave (optional), 30 ml (optional)
Topping Ideas
- Topping 1 – walnuts, blueberries, almond butter, agave
- Topping 2 – coconut flakes, cubed mango, pecans, raw cane sugar
- Topping 3 – apple slices, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon
- Topping 4 – banana slices, peanut butter, agave, chia seeds
Instructions
- Measure the steel-cut oats, water, plant milk, vanilla, and agave into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Spoon the oatmeal into bowls and top with your favorite topping/s. I like pouring a bit of plant milk over mine as well.
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
