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Forget standing and stirring oats on the stove, this Instant Pot steel cut oats recipe is a quick and easy way to cook and enjoy your oats with minimal hands-on time!
Steel Cut Oats Instant Pot Recipe
Steel cut oats have the lowest glycemic index of all the types of oats (old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, instant oats), but take the longest to cook because they are sliced as opposed to flattened. The instant pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking and is a quick option to make a batch of perfectly textured steel cut oats. It is a true set it and forget it method, no need to worry about a pot overflowing on your stove!
Is steel cut oatmeal healthy?
Oatmeal has a bounty of health benefits, including soluble fiber. They act as prebiotic food and help prepare your gut for digestion. They also have anti-inflammatory effects. Steel cut oats are minimally processed and high in fiber and density, which results in one of the healthiest grains you can eat.
What is the difference between steel cut oats and old fashioned oats?
Oat groats for steel cut oats have been sliced into smaller pieces, while oat groats for old-fashioned oats have been flattened. What is an oat groat you ask? It is what you call the de-husked oat grain (or hulled kernels of the grain).
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal Ingredients
You just need a few simple ingredients to make your steel cut oats in the instant pot. Here’s what you’ll use:
- Steel Cut Oats – the main star of the show, you’ll need 1 cup of steel cut oats.
- Water – for the liquid component, use 2 ½ cups of water (you can substitute dairy-free milk, but avoid using dairy milk, as it often burns in the instant pot).
- Salt – a pinch of salt seasons the oats.
- Banana or Maple Syrup (optional) – for added sweetness and creaminess, add ½ of a ripe banana or 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to the pot.
Ingredients Modifications
- Add a hint of sweetness – before cooking, add ½ of a ripe banana or 1 tablespoon of maple syrup for some sweet flavor.
- Add spices – before cooking, add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and/or cardamom for additional warmth and flavor.
- Use non-dairy milk – for the water, sub non-dairy milk (but steer clear of dairy milk, as it tends to scald in the instant pot) for creamier oats.
Supplies Needed to Make Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in Instant Pot
Making your steel cut oats in the Instant Pot is really easy since everything is cooked at the same time. Here’s how you’ll do it:
- Add ingredients – to the instant pot, add your steel cut oats, water, salt, and optional mix-ins, and stir to mix together.
- Seal the Instant Pot – close the Instant Pot and turn the valve to seal. Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Quick release – once the timer goes off, quick release the pressure by opening the valve to let the steam out.
- Stir to combine – once you remove the lid from your Instant Pot, there may still be some liquid on top of your steel cut oats. Don’t worry! Simply stir to combine everything together, using a fork to mash the banana (if added), and let the oats sit until they are cool enough to serve. If there is still too much liquid for your taste, you can set it to saute mode and give it a good stir while it warms up.
- Serve and enjoy – garnish with desired toppings and enjoy!
How long do you cook the steel cut oats in the instant pot?
Ten minutes is all you need to cook the steel cut oats in the instant pot!
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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe works with any size instant pot! If you increase the amounts for a larger batch, I would use a 6-quart pot or larger to make sure that the oats have enough room to expand.
I have found that a 2½ cups of water to 1 cup of steel cut oats ensures that there is enough liquid in the instant pot to cook the oats and results in the best texture.
Oatmeal burns when there isn’t enough liquid in the instant pot. If you use the full 2 ½ cups of water or non-dairy liquid, your oats should be just fine!
The cook time should begin, and the float valve at the top of the instant pot should pop up once the Instant Pot is to pressure.
The secret to keeping your oatmeal from sticking to the pot is to remove them while they are still warm. The longer they cool, the stickier they become, and the higher the likelihood that they will stick to the pot.
To store your oats, transfer them into a container (either individual serving sizes or one large container), allow them to cool completely, then store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave and heat to desired temperature, stirring halfway through.
Yes! Since you don’t have to worry about boiling the liquid and constantly stirring the oats on the stove, this makes for a great make-ahead recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups water (or non-dairy milk)
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- pinch of salt
- (optional) 1/2 ripe banana
Instructions
- To the instant pot, add your steel cut oatmeal, water, salt, and optional add-ins and stir to mix together.
- Close the Instant Pot and turn the valve to seal. Set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, quick release the pressure by opening the valve to let the steam out.
- Remove the lid from your Instant Pot and stir to combine everything together, using a fork to mash the banana, and let the oats sit until they are cool enough to serve. If there is still too much liquid for your taste, you can set it to saute mode and give it a good stir while it warms up.
- Serve and enjoy – garnish with desired toppings and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Recipe Notes
- Avoid using dairy milk, as it easily scalds and burns in the Instant Pot.
- Use ½ of a ripe banana or 1 tablespoon of maple syrup for some sweet flavor.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and/or cardamom for additional warmth and flavor.
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