Foolproof Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats {5 Ways}

Name: Foolproof Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats {5 Ways}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp coconut oil; 4 cups coconut or almond milk; 2 cups water; 2 cup steel cut oats; 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (optional); 1/4 cup shredded coconut; 1 cup diced pineapple; 1 cup frozen mixed berries; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 green apple, diced; 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; 1/2 tsp cinnamon

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These Foolproof Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats turn out perfect every time. They’re a healthy breakfast idea with 5 flavours for easy meal prep.

Ingredients and substitutions

Coconut oil – you can leave this out altogether or add in some more coconut milk instead.
Coconut or almond milk – use any dairy or dairy-free milk of your choice. You can also double up on the water, just keep in mind that the oats won’t be as creamy.
Steel cut oats – rolled oats/old-fashioned oats would also work.
Honey – maple syrup or agave would be good too, or you can leave this out altogether if you don’t want the added sweetness.

Tropical

Shredded coconut – use either sweetened or unsweetened coconut.
Diced pineapple – fresh pineapple is best, but defrosted frozen pineapple will work in a pinch.

Mixed berry

Frozen mixed berries – use any combination of berries of your choice. Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries would all be delicious!

Apple cinnamon

Cinnamon – nutmeg would be the best substitute here.
Green apple – or another apple of your choice.

Chocolate

Cocoa powder – chocolate protein powder or chocolate chips can also be used.

Pumpkin spice

Pumpkin puree – if you don’t have any pumpkin puree, add in some nutmeg and ginger instead.
Cinnamon – nutmeg would be the best substitute here.

How to make steel cut oats in the Instant Pot

Add the first 4 ingredients to the Instant Pot in order.
Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
Do a natural pressure release.
Stir in the honey and any toppings.
Divide amongst bowls, serve and enjoy!

What are steel cut oats?

Steel cut oats are the least processed form of oats. A whole oat grain is called a groat and to make steel cut oats, the groat is husked and cut into two or three pieces using a steel blade. Steel cut oats are also sometimes called Irish oats.

Another common type of oats is rolled oats. These are groats that are steamed to make them pliable, then they are rolled flat. You can tell the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats simply by looking at them.

Steel cut oats are chewier and coarser in texture. This means that they are very filling but also take longer to cook. However, when you cook them in the Instant Pot, they’ll be ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Toppings for steel cut oats

When it comes to what to add to your oats, you can try out different toppings and flavours until you find one you like. I rounded up some of my favourite add-in combinations below!

You can also try adding in some nut butter, flax or chia seeds, hemp hearts, Greek yogurt, mashed banana, molasses, dried fruit, nuts and coconut. The options are pretty much endless when it comes to the toppings.

Tropical steel cut oats

pineapple and coconut Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Chocolate steel cut oats

Apple cinnamon steel cut oats

Pumpkin spice steel cut oats

Pumpkin Spice Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Mixed berry steel cut oats

Frequently Asked Questions

Is steel cut oatmeal better for you than rolled oats?

Most of the nutritional value of steel cut oats and rolled oats are the same. You will receive a healthy amount of protein and carbohydrates regardless of what style of oats you eat. However, steel cut oats are higher in fibre than any other variety of oats, which keeps your digestive system moving efficiently. They are also lower in the glycemic index which measures the way a food affects your blood sugar.

What is the ratio of water to oats?

For this recipe, you’ll need 2 cups of water and 4 cups of milk for every 2 cups of steel cut oats, so the total liquid to oats ratio is about 3:1.

How do you keep it from burning in the Instant Pot?

Make sure your Instant Pot is properly sealed and that you’ve added in enough liquid to prevent your steel cut oats from burning. All in all, the Instant Pot is a great way to make steel cut oats because you can pretty much just set it and forget it.

Are steel cut oats gluten free?

Steel cut oats are gluten free, but I’d recommend checking the package to ensure that they haven’t had any cross-contamination.

Storing and reheating

These steel cut oats are a great breakfast meal prep recipe. You can make a big batch on the weekend, then store individual serving sizes in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir in the add-ins immediately or wait until after you’ve finished reheating the oats.

You can use meal prep bowls to separate the servings. Stir in the add-ins immediately, or wait until you reheat. If you’re reheating, add a bit more liquid then microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Steel cut oats can also be eaten cold if you’re on the go!

Can you freeze steel cut oats?

You can definitely freeze steel cut oats. Serve individual serving sizes in airtight glass containers for up to 3 months. Let the oats defrost in the fridge the night before you want to eat them then reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

If you plan on freezing your oats, it might be best to wait until after reheating to add in your toppings so everything stays as fresh as possible.

More Instant Pot breakfast recipes

Meal prep tools for this recipe

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these steel cut oats into your breakfasts for the week.
Freeze these oats in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
Order some steel cut oats here.