Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s often the meal that we skip or make the least effort to prepare. If you’re looking for a healthy and easy breakfast option that you can make ahead of time, then you need to try Instant Pot steel-cut oats!
Cooking steel-cut oats in an Instant Pot is a game-changer. The oats come out perfectly cooked and so creamy, and the process is so much faster and easier than making them on the stovetop. Plus, you can make a big batch ahead of time and reheat them throughout the week.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make the best Instant Pot steel-cut oats. We’ll also share some of our favorite flavor combinations. So if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy breakfast option, read on!
For a filling, healthy, and delicious start to your day, prepare the simplest Instant Pot steel-cut oats. The Instant Pot performs all the work, so prepare them in advance or first thing in the morning!
A Quick and Healthy Breakfast
Steel-cut oats cook far faster in the Instant Pot than they do on the stovetop! If you haven’t tried steel-cut oats yet, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite way to enjoy a speedy, healthy, and satisfying breakfast any day of the week. Your kids will adore this recipe if they enjoy a big bowl of oatmeal as much as mine do. Having children go out to school with nutrients that balance blood sugar and are high in protein is a bonus.
Overall, they are less processed than traditional rolled oats. They are much heartier, have a bite, and taste deeper and more earthy. Additionally, heating a large number of overnight oats at once is an economical way to batch cook and prepare meals. Of course, you can use the magic of the Instant Pot to set it up at night and set the timer to begin cooking them at the crack of dawn, so they’ll all be finished for you when you awaken.
Your eyes will be opened to the reality that there is a whole new cooking world out there once you know how to use the Instant Pot in the first place once you read this simple, straightforward guide on how to cook steel-cut oats in the Instant Pot.
Steel Cut Oats vs Rolled Oats
Both of them begin as the same whole grain (the groat). Because of the different ways they are processed, they can make oats that taste and look different and have slightly different nutritional values. Oats that have been steel-cut have had less processing, thus they are closer to their natural state. Additionally, it means that less of their nutritional value has been lost. Although both varieties are packed with vitamins and minerals and are low in fat and high in fiber and protein, the rolled oat has lost more of these nutrients over time.
At first glance, steel-cut oats look like quinoa, but when they are cooked, they lose some of their graininess and get a little softer. If you have ever cooked either of these, you are aware that rolled oats cook more quickly than steel cuts. Because the Instant Pot reduces cooking time to just three minutes, I adore using it.
Do I Need to Soak the Oats Ahead of Time?
Although it is not strictly necessary, you can soak the oats ahead of time. Some people discover it aids in digestion and offers a creamier, softer texture. To achieve this, fill the pot with water and oats around 6 to 12 hours in advance, and then cover with the top. I’m done now! After that, you can drain the water and use fresh water or start cooking.
Tips
- Sweeter version: Add 2-3 Tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar to the pot before cooking oats if you like them a bit sweeter. After they’ve completed cooking, if you decide you’d like them sweeter, simply drizzle more on top before serving.
- Serving: There are 3 1/2 cups of cooked oats in this recipe. For an even larger batch, you can double the recipe and maintain the same cooking time.
- Timing: The pot needs some time to come under pressure even though the cooking duration is only three minutes. Although it is completely hands-off, keep that in mind on hectic mornings. The timer can always be set for the desired arrival time.
- Avoid the other button: Avoid pressing the “porridge” button on your Instant Pot. It is designed to cook rolled oats quickly.
- Keep warm: On the warm setting, steel-cut oats in an Instant Pot can stay there for a while. Keep them warm until you’re ready to eat if you’ve made them and your family is still asleep or if you believe you’ll want more later. After that, put any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Optional Add-ins
These can be spiced in the same manner as rolled oats. Add some maple syrup or honey, a little cinnamon, and possibly a touch of nutmeg. For extra fiber and protein, as well as some fresh berries for sweetness, I like to add some chia, flax, and hemp hearts.
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
- Almond milk is a good choice of milk.
- Berries
- slice of a banana
- candied sugar
- the chia seed
- hemp seeds
- seed hemp
- nibs of cacao
- chips of chocolate
- burnt coconut
- squash seeds
- nut butter in a dollop
- Raisins
Storing, Freezing, & Reheating
- Make ahead/meal prep: For up to a week, keep leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to portion them out into separate containers when preparing for the coming week. In this manner, you can always obtain what you require in the morning.
- Freezing: You may store these oats frozen for up to three months in an airtight container.
- Reheating: If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat over low heat on the stovetop until well heated. Adding a little milk will probably be necessary to improve the consistency and make it a little creamier.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups steel cut oats
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional mix in’s:2 teaspoons each of chia seeds ground flax seeds, hemp hearts, honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar
- Optional toppings: Fruit nuts, nut butter, coconut, chia seeds, honey, Greek yoghurt, or a splash of milk, whether it be fresh or dried
Instructions
- In the instant pot, combine the oats, water, salt, and cinnamon (I use a 6-quart). Then vigorously whisk it. If you want to sweeten the mixture, add the required mix-ins.
- Put the instant pot’s lid on and close the pressure valve. Press the pressure cook button and choose a 3 minute high pressure cook time. Pressure will build up over the course of around 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to relax naturally for 10 minutes after the pot beeps. Then unscrew the lid and turn the valve to the hot pad venting position.
- To incorporate any remaining water that hasn’t evaporated, stir the oats. As you mix the oats, they will become thicker. If desired, taste and add extra honey, brown sugar, or cinnamon.
- Put in a serving bowl or a container for meal preparation. Add any extras you’d like. Serve hot or chilly
