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If you’ve never woken up legitimately craving a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, then I’m convinced you haven’t tried steel cut oats yet. The easiest way to cook them? Today’s method for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats!

Instant Pot steel cut oats with banana, blueberries, and pecans

Arguably one of the most healthy, budget-friendly, and versatile breakfasts in existence, oatmeal is a nutritional super star that, for reasons both just and unjust, doesn’t receive the kind of universal enthusiasm it deserves.

Reasons you might *think* you don’t like oatmeal: It’s bland. It’s mushy. It tastes like something you’d be better off scraping into your dog’s bowl.

I hear you. Many bowls of oatmeal I have had in the past qualify this statement. My hunch is that if you still feel this way, you likely are microwaving quick oats or even worse, instant oatmeal packets. Guess what? Oatmeal does not (and should not!) taste like mush (especially not my classic Oatmeal!).

ENTER STEEL CUT OATS.

Steel cut oats are chewy, nutty, great for you, and a pleasure to eat. Making them in the Instant Pot (this is the Instant Pot model I have owned for years and love) makes the entire process hands free.

Steel cut oatmeal also reheats beautifully, meaning you can make a big batch, then enjoy healthy leftovers all week long.

Read on below for more about steel cut oats, as well as the best way to cook oatmeal in your Instant Pot. I’ve eaten steel cut oats for years, and the Instant Pot is my favorite way to prepare them, because it’s easy, fool proof, and results in perfectly cooked steel cut oats every time.

A bowl of easy and healthy oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts

What Are Steel Cut Oats (and Why They Taste Better Than Other Oats)

Steel cut oats are a less processed version of rolled, quick, or instant oats. To make them cook more quickly, rolled, quick, and instant oats are steamed, flattened, and pulverized to varying degrees, with rolled oats being the least processed and instant oatmeal being very processed and pulverized.

Steel cut oats are cut with steel blades (hence the name “steel-cut”) and more closely resemble a whole oat in its original state.

Because they are more intact and less processed, steel cut oats take longer to cook than rolled, quick, and instant oats. The benefit of the wait: their texture is a delight! The trade off between time and texture is well worth it, especially since the Instant Pot makes cooking steel cut oats so easy.

A measuring spoon full of steel cut oats for making oatmeal

Steel Cut Oats vs. Rolled Oats – Which is Better?

Both rolled oats and steel cut oats are high in protein, fiber, and nutrients and are a healthy choice. Because they are less processed, however, steel cut oats are better than rolled oats in several ways.

  • While both types of oats contain fiber with cholesterol-lowering properties (beta glucan), steel cut oats have a higher level of fiber than rolled oats. Each serving of steel cut oats has about 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein.
  • Steel cut oats rank lower on the glycemic index than rolled oats, meaning the body will digest and turn them into sugar more slowly.
  • Steel cut oats are minimally processed and naturally gluten free, making them ideal for people with gluten sensitivities.

I’m super hurried and need a fast bowl of oatmeal, I’ll make rolled oats, which are the second best option behind steel cut oats. For a meal, I avoid quick oats, which are more processed and have an inferior texture to rolled oats or steel cut oats. Always avoid instant oats which have a gummy, unpleasant texture once cooked and offer fewer health benefits.

The only downside of steel cut oats compared to rolled oats is that they take longer to cook. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in!

A wooden spoon in an Instant Pot with steel cut oats

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats – A Handsfree Way to Cook Oatmeal

Steel cut oats can be cooked on the stove top, in the slow cooker, and in the Instant Pot.

  • Stovetop. See my original Steel Cut Oats. It includes everything you need to cook the perfect bowl. This method requires nothing but a pot and a spoon, but you do have to keep an eye on it, so it’s not a “set it and forget it” situation, the way the Instant Pot is.
  • Slow Cooker. These Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats cook in the crock pot while you sleep. They’re hands free but take hours, compared to the 25 minutes you’ll need for the Instant Pot.
  • Instant Pot. The best of all words! They taste like stovetop steel cut oats, but the cooking method is completely hands free.

You also can prepare steel cut oats by making these Overnight Steel Cut Oats, which soak in the refrigerator to soften up. These are served cold, and while I adore them, today I’m focusing on hot steel cut oatmeal, which is a cozier option in cooler months, or for those who haven’t quite hopped aboard the overnight oats train yet.

Easy Instant Pot steel cut oats served in a bowl with fresh fruit and chopped nuts

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Cooking Time – How Long It Really Takes

  • The cooking time to which you set your Instant Pot for steel cut oats is 4 minutes on high pressure.
  • The actual total cooking time for Instant Pot steel cut oatmeal from start to finish is 25 minutes. This breaks out to 10 minutes for the pressure to build, 4 minutes cooking, and 10 minutes of natural release.

Stovetop steel cut oatmeal and Instant Pot steel cut oatmeal cook in about the same amount of total time. The benefit of the Instant Pot is that it is COMPLETELY hands-free.

You can start your oats when you wake up, walk away to get ready for work, then return to a hot, healthy breakfast that’s waiting for you.

Healthy Instant Pot oatmeal with honey, fresh fruit, and nuts

How to Make Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Preparing these steel cut oats is so simple, and you’ll love how they taste!

The Ingredients

  • Milk + Water. I like to make my steel cut oats with a mix of milk and water, though feel free to use just one or the other. As long as you keep the liquid ratios the same, you are set. NOTE: Some readers have reported burn warnings with dairy milk. To be 100% safe, I suggest using almond milk.
  • Steel Cut Oats. As I discussed, steel cut oats are my favorite type of oats to cook and eat for breakfast. They have numerous health benefits, delicious texture, and the best flavor.
  • Salt. Critical when cooking oatmeal to make its flavor pop. The oatmeal doesn’t taste salty, but without the salt, it will taste flat.
  • Cinnamon. My favorite in oatmeal! Feel free to personalize your oats with your favorite spices.
  • Maple Syrup or Honey. I love my oats with a touch of sweetness. Both maple syrup and honey add a rich, sweet flavor to my oats without using any refined sugar. These oats are very, very lightly sweet. Feel free to add more to taste, or omit it if you prefer to top individual bowls instead.
  • Toppings. The possibilities are endless here! I suggest trying a few variations to see what you like best. I’ve listed some ideas below.

The Directions

A wooden spoon in an Instant Pot full of steel cut oats

  1. Add all the ingredients to your Instant Pot and stir. Cover and seal the pot. Cook on HIGH pressure for 4 minutes. The pressure will build for about 10 minutes, then the timer will begin. Once the timer elapses, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Vent, then carefully open the lid. They oats will look a bit liquidy at first, but will thicken as they cool.

    A pressure cooker full of oatmeal for a healthy and easy breakfast

    A spoon with quick and healthy oatmeal

  2. Give the steel cut oatmeal a big stir. Scoop into your bowl, add desired toppings, and ENJOY!

A note on the Instant Pot porridge setting: The porridge button on your Instant Pot is designed to be a quick method for cooking your oatmeal, rice pudding, or similar grains. In order to keep the cooking consistent across all models and guarantee best results, I recommend keeping it simple by cooking with high pressure as directed in this recipe. It’s fun to use the bells and whistles of your appliances, but it’s not necessary for this recipe. The 4 minutes of cook time for the steel cut oats I’ve listed works every single time.

A bowl of oatmeal made with steel cut oats in the Instant Pot

Adapting this Recipe for a 3-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot

This recipe is written for a standard 6-quart Instant Pot like this one. That said, you can easily adapt it to different sizes.

  • To make steel cut oats in an 8-quart Instant Pot: Reduce the pressuring cooking time to 3 minutes on high. Keep the natural release at 10 minutes. You can double the ingredients if you like, though you do not need to.
  • To make steel cut oats in a 3-quart Instant Pot: Cut the recipe ingredients in half (no other changes are necessary).
  • To make steel cut oats in a 6-quart Instant Pot: Follow the recipe as directed below. 

Steel Cut Oatmeal Toppings Ideas and Recipe Variations

Once your oats are cooked, you can customize your bowl with a rainbow of mix-ins and toppings to create the oatmeal of your dreams!

  • Fresh Fruit. Top your oats with your favorite fresh fruit. Blueberry and banana are two of our favorites. Drizzle honey on top for added sweetness.
  • Frozen Fruit. You can also cook Instant Pot steel cut oats with frozen fruit! Frozen strawberries or raspberries would be delicious. Add a drizzle of honey for more sweetness.
  • Dried Fruit. Stir ¾ cup dried fruit, such as dried cherries or golden raisins, into the Instant Pot before cooking. Top with a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.
    Honey dripping over a bowl of quick steel cut oats with fruit
  • Pumpkin. Stir in 1 cup pumpkin puree into the Instant Pot before cooking. This version would be delicious with 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg. For a slow cooker pumpkin version, check out my Pumpkin Overnight Oats.
  • Apple. Chop 1 or 2 apples into small pieces, and stir them into the Instant Pot before cooking. If you love apples in your oatmeal, you’ll love my Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
  • Banana Bread. Slice a ripe banana, and stir it into the Instant Pot before cooking. The end result will taste just like banana bread. YUM!
  • Super Food. Stir chia seeds or flaxseed meal into your cooked steel cut oatmeal. You can add these to individual bowls, or to the entire Instant Pot, either before or after cooking. 
  • Nut Butter. Stir a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter into your bowl of cooked oats. Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter would all be delicious.

To Make Ahead

Steel cut oatmeal reheats well so it’s great for meal prep. You can even freeze portions if you like.

  • Refrigerator Method. Prepare the oats as directed, and let cool. Place equal portions of your oats in separate airtight storage containers and refrigerate. You can also add fruit into each container. Reheat one portion at a time throughout the week. If your oats become too thick, add a little milk or water when reheating. The oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer Method. If you prefer to freeze your portions, cook the oatmeal as directed and pour it into the cups of a muffin pan. Set the muffin pan in the freezer until oatmeal is frozen solid. Once frozen, place oatmeal cups in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of milk or water. The oatmeal can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Recommended Tools for Making Oatmeal

  • Instant Pot. For making delicious oatmeal in no time!
  • Measuring Spoons. These are ideal for measuring your oatmeal ingredients.
  • Ladle. Easily transport your oatmeal to bowls and storage containers.

Healthy steel cut oatmeal served in a bowl with fresh fruit and nuts

A warm bowl of filling, cozy steel cut oatmeal has been just the morning fix I’ve needed to get (and keep!) me going lately. I hope it hits the spot for you too. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

4.53 from 150 votes
Easy Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats that are foolproof. Just 4 minutes of cook time and completely hands-free. Add your favorite toppings for healthy breakfasts!

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or water*
  • 2 cups steel cut oats do not use any other kind of oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey optional; add more to taste
  • Toppings of choice fresh fruit, chopped toasted nuts, chia seeds or flaxseeds, additional maple syrup or honey, splash of milk

Instructions
 

  • In a 6-quart Instant Pot, stir together the water, almond milk, oats, salt, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Cover and seal. Cook on HIGH pressure (manual) for 4 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully remove lid.
  • Give the oats a big stir. Carefully taste (they will be hot!) and add additional cinnamon and/or maple syrup to taste. The oats will continue to thicken as they cool. Ladle into serving bowls and serve hot with any desired toppings.

Video

Notes

  • *UPDATE on 3/10/21: Some readers have reported seeing "burn" warnings when using dairy milk. I have not had this issue personally, but to be safe, I recommend using almond milk or water.
  • If using an 8-quart Instant Pot, reduce the pressure cook time to 3 minutes. If using a 3-quart Instant Pot, cut the recipe in half.
  • TO STORE: Place oatmeal in an airtight storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 359kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 13gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 34mgFiber: 9gSugar: 9gCalcium: 137mgIron: 3mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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453 Comments

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    1. Hi Rachel, I’d like to help troubleshoot this—was there any steam escaping when it was coming up to pressure? I make these regularly and haven’t been able to replicate the issue

  1. Can I make 1/2 cup oats to 1 cup liquid in the mini? I’ve been looking and some people say I can cook in a glass or metal bowl that’s placed on the rack inside the instant pot stainless insert, adding an additional 1 cup water under the rack. I’ve never done bowl in bowl cooking in my 6 qt machine, but maybe I don’t need two instant pots, lol.

    I get I can cook a whole cup and have it as leftovers, but still wondering about minimum amount in the mini.

    Any suggestions appreciated. THANKS!!!

    1. Hi Amy, I do not have a mini so I really don’t know. I think you could check in your owners manual. It might have some guidance on what the minimum amount would be. Hope this helps!

  2. Thanks for the recipe!
    Just wanted to mention that steel cut oats are not necessarily gluten free. They still can get cross contaminated with wheat like other conventional oats unless they’ve been cultivated and processed specifically to be gluten free

    1. I’m sorry to hear you had trouble Dani. We haven’t been able to replicate the issue but we think it has to do with certain Instant pot models.

  3. Sorry for the double comment. It doesn’t seem like there’s enough liquid for 2 cups of steel cut oats? Isn’t the usual ratio 1:4?

      1. You have 2 cups of oats to 3 cups of water in your recipe which is why I think the burn code keeps coming up. Would need to be at least 4 cups of water. Mine got the burn signal too and I have the brand name instant pot 6 qt.

        1. Hi Allison, the measurements we have are correct based on our testings. We have not been able to replicate the issues that some folks are having, and we have equally those who don’t have any issue. Definitely adjust based on your own pressure cooker. Thanks!

      2. Overall, I’m happy with this recipe in my mini instant pot (serving size set to 2). I do find the oats to be a bit too hard (chewy?) for my taste. Do I add more liquid or adjust the time to make them softer?5 stars

        1. Hi Michaela, I haven’t tried it myself but I believe you could just add a few more minutes to the cooking time. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!

    1. I thought the ratio was off too, but I discovered after following the recipe that it works. Then I remembered that a pressure cooker is a closed cooking system. In an open pot, half the liquid evaporates while the other half gets absorbed. I just bought my mini 3qt instant pot and this is my first thing I cooked. Nothing evaporates. I made just as much as on my stove top and the IP makes the same amount with half the liquid. I love the addition of the milk. Tastes great.5 stars

  4. Great recipe! I have made this MANY times with regular whole milk and never had a burn issue. I don’t use almond milk, so not sure why some are getting burn notices. The only time I have ever gotten a burn notice is if there was residue on the inner pot.5 stars

  5. It almost immediately goes to “burn” mode when using oat milk.
    However, I’ve found that if I let the pressure release on its own after the burn warning, it comes out fine3 stars

  6. Very good; however, when I let the pressure release on instant pot, it made a HUGE mess. 🤣

    So I don’t know what went wrong.

    1. Hi Meghan, I don’t necessarily think anything went wrong. That can happen sometimes with the Instant Pot when doing a quick release, depending on what is being cooked. Next try allow to set about a minute and then try the quick release. Glad you enjoyed it!

  7. okay I just want to say something out the gate you say to you six cups of steel cut oats and then nine cups of water and then three cups of milk. I’m using an 8 quart instant pot that overfills that thing by so much. it’s not funny you will never get all of the liquid in if you use exactly what you’re saying. additionally, you say in your nutritious information that it’s per one of four if you use all that you’re getting more than four servings. a serving is a half a cup of steel cut oats. so I’m not certain where you’re getting that from, but it sounds like you’re measurements are way off. oh I guess I should probably say I’m using the three times recipe. it just seems like those measurements are so far off. it’s not funny. I mean I did 10 cups of liquid. I didn’t get a burn notice whatsoever but just at the point when it was starting to boil you could tell it was too full because it wanted to start spouting the liquid because it was too full. luckily it went straight into boiling and it sealed and I’m going to let naturally decompress so that I don’t have a mess trying to drain the steam. I just don’t know that that’s right. you might want to adjust the three times cuz I’m thinking it’s wrong. I’m also using Quaker oats steel cut and their ratio is 1/4 of a cup. still cut to one cup of water. so 6 cups of oats would equate to 24 cups of water or milk or whatever you’re going to use? maybe I’m wrong, I just don’t think that makes a lot of sense. and don’t get me wrong. I did it anyway and I’m still waiting for it to naturally vent because it’s going to make a mess otherwise.

    1. You should never put anything more than the fill line in your Instant Pot based off of their recommendations. If 3x means it’s too full then by all means, don’t do it. You’d likely need a 10qt for that much, but I think you probably know all of this.

  8. Excellent!! Our go to recipe–my husband, son and I adore it! Delicious!Thank you so much! Wouldn’t change a thing!5 stars

  9. Thank you for your time of putting this recipe out there! It is amazing! I love the details and I love all the topping suggestions too! Thank you!5 stars

  10. i make this recipe every week and store single servings in a mason jar. so easy to add a little extra milk and berries and reheat in the microwave5 stars

  11. I make this recipe once a week and it gives my husband and I breakfast for 3-4 days. I follow the instructions exactly and the steel cut oats come out perfectly every time.5 stars

  12. I’ve been making this recipe for a long time. I sometimes use 2% milk with water and sometimes almond milk with and without water. I’ll make 2 cups of oats or 1 cup of oats and adjust the milk accordingly. It works well everytime and keeps in the fridge for at least 4 to 5 days. I also add shredded coconut before cooking. Delicious.5 stars

    1. I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you, Steve. I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also, there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster and a print button to have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps!

  13. Delicious, but are the portions correct? 2 cups of oats for 4 servings? The bag of Bob’s Red Mill organic steel cut oats says 1 cup for 4 servings.
    I made it according to your recipe, and two of us had 1 cup of cooked oats. It was a lot, and I filled a quart mason jar with the leftovers.
    But best oatmeal I’ve ever eaten!5 stars

  14. I SOLVED THE BURN PROBLEM! First let me say I love this recipe and make it all the time. After making this ~10 times I got the burn warning. Then I got it a couple more times. Went to water only and that didn’t solve it. Then I realized that the package of steel cut oats I had was very dusty and the oats were cut particularly small. I think it was the bottom of the barrel. I bought a new package and voila – no burn warning. Not sure if there is a way to rinse a dusty batch of oats or not. I haven’t tried it. Note that when I did get the burn warning I just stopped the instant pot, let it sit for 10 minutes and the oats were fine. I just didn’t scrape the bottom. 😊5 stars

  15. I thought the ratio was off too, but I discovered after following the recipe that it works. Then I remembered that a pressure cooker is a closed cooking system. In an open pot, half the liquid evaporates while the other half gets absorbed. I just bought my mini 3qt instant pot and this is my first thing I cooked. Nothing evaporates. I made just as much as on my stove top and the IP makes the same amount with half the liquid. I love the addition of the milk. Tastes great.

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