Make perfect Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with this easy, fail proof pressure cooker recipe for a healthy, whole grain oatmeal breakfast or anytime meal. Cooks faster than on the stovetop!

It’s morning and you want a healthy breakfast that’s easy as can be. Get your Instant Pot ready because we are about to make the best Instant Pot steel cut oats!

Steel cut oats cooked in an Instant Pot can be enjoyed warm during the chilly months. And in the warmer months they can be eaten chilled and are especially delicious when made into overnight breakfast jars.

On their own, steel cut oats are creamy and nutty textured with a mild flavor. But it’s the toppings that will make them truly interesting and worthy of our everyday attention.

In this easy recipe, you’ll find plenty of topping ideas for your steel cut oats including apple, banana, berries, nut butter, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, maple syrup, etc. All perfectly healthy, easily accessible and economical!

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Steel Cut Oats vs. Other Oats

Steel-cut oats cook up tender and creamy with a nutty texture. The main differences between steel cut oats and other oats are in the calories and processing.

Steel-cut oats have fewer calories per serving compared to regular oats, although not by much. The most significant difference is how they are processed. Steel cut oats are less processed and simply chopped up whole oat groats, while other oats are rolled and steamed for faster cooking.

In this recipe I don’t suggest substituting either regular or quick oats in place of the steel-cut oats as they cook slightly differently.

So without further ado, grab your Instant Pot and let’s get to it!

And if you don’t have an Instant Pot, try this Slow Cooker Overnight Steel Cut Oats or Stovetop Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need to start is just 2 simple ingredients. For versatility and flavor, you can layer with optional add-ins.

Steel cut oats – This heart healthy grain can be found packaged with the other oats. Some stores will carry it in the bulk section.
Water – Water is the best for cooking steel cut oats in the Instant Pot, and it’s economical as well. I would save adding any type of plant milk after cooking or when serving.

Optional Add-ins:

Vanilla
Cinnamon
Cardamom

How To Make Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Making steel cut oats in the instant pot makes for an easy no-fuss oatmeal ready in minutes. Once the oats and water are added to the insert of the Instant Pot, attach the lid and twist to lock, close the valve to SEALING. Manually set to HIGH pressure and cook for 4 minutes. Let natural release for 15 minutes. Total time from beginning to end is about 2o – 25 minutes, depending on how long it takes to come to pressure.

Recommended Equipment: This is the Instant Pot (affiliate link) I use and love. Keep in mind if using another model, results may differ.

Steel Cut Oats to Water Ratio

When making steel cut oats in an Instant Pot, the ratio I like to use is 1:2.5. Use 1 cup steel cut oats to 2 ½ cups of water. This ratio results in a perfectly creamy and not too soupy consistency. Once done, feel free to stir in ½ cup of almond milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk to thin a bit more.

How To Store + Reheat

Refrigerator: Steel cut oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days in an airtight container.
Reheat: Warm steel cut oats on the stovetop over low, adding a splash of water or milk to thin a bit, until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave, stopping to stir every 30 – 45 seconds, until warmed through.
Meal prep: You can easily make a double batch and store in serving size containers with toppings of choice for a healthy, chilled meal on the fly.

Serving Suggestions

Here are just a few delicious ideas you can use for a healthy breakfast with steel cut oats:

Blueberry, Almonds + Cinnamon: Top the oatmeal with fresh blueberries, chopped or slivered almonds, a dash of cinnamon, drizzle of pure maple syrup and almond milk.
Apple Walnut Steel Cut Oats: Top with fresh diced apple or Warm Skillet Cinnamon Apples, chopped walnuts, a drizzle of pure maple syrup and almond milk.
Peanut Butter, Banana + Chocolate Chips: For a healthy steel cut oats rich in protein, serve with 2 tablespoons of Almond Butter over top with sliced banana, sprinkle of chocolate chips (or cacao nibs), dash of cinnamon, drizzle of maple syrup and almond milk.
Strawberries and Cream: Top oats with fresh sliced strawberries, coconut cream or Vegan Cream, pure maple syrup, and sprinkle of cardamom. It’s super simple and utterly delicious!
Berries and Cream: Top with fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and/or blueberries) and a sprinkle of cardamom or cinnamon, and drizzle with coconut cream (or almond milk) and maple syrup.
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Another protein rich oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of your favorite Almond Butter and Berry Chia Jam or Blueberry Compote with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and coconut cream or plant milk.

More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

If you try this steel cut oats recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

INSTANT POT STEEL CUT OATS

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 21 minutes
Yield: Serves 2- 3 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Instant Pot, pressure cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 cups steel cut oats
2 ½ cups water
pinch of salt

Optional add-ins:

1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cardamom

To Serve

2 tablespoon pure maple syrup, per serving
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or oat, cashew, soy, or your favorite plant milk)
handful of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
1 – 2 tablespoons nuts or seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, etc.)

Instructions

Add the steel cut oats, optional spices & vanilla, pinch of salt, and water to the Instant Pot insert. Attach lid and twist to lock. Turn the valve to SEALING position. Manually set to HIGH pressure and cook for 4 minutes. Let natural release for 15 minutes.

Serve in individual serving bowls or glass containers, and top with your choice of toppings, pure maple syrup and non-dairy milk.

Makes about 2 cups (⅔ – 1 cup per serving)

Serves 2 – 3

Store: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days. Warm on the stovetop over low, adding a splash of water or milk, until warmed through.

Notes

Need a few ideas, try any of these serving suggestions:

Blueberry, Almonds + Cinnamon: Top the oatmeal with fresh blueberries, chopped or slivered almonds, a dash of cinnamon, drizzle of pure maple syrup and almond milk.
Apple Walnut Steel Cut Oats: Top with diced apple, chopped walnuts, a drizzle of pure maple syrup and almond milk.
Peanut Butter, Banana + Chocolate Chips: For a healthy steel cut oats rich in protein, serve with 2 tablespoons of Almond Butter over top with sliced banana, sprinkle of chocolate chips (or cacao nibs), dash of cinnamon, drizzle of maple syrup and almond milk.
Strawberries and Cream: Top oats with fresh sliced strawberries, coconut cream or Vegan Cream, pure maple syrup, and sprinkle of cardamom. It’s super simple and utterly delicious!
Berries and Cream: Top with fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and/or blueberries) and a sprinkle of cardamom or cinnamon, and drizzle with coconut cream (or almond milk) and maple syrup.
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Another protein rich oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of your favorite Almond Butter and Berry Chia Jam or Blueberry Compote with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and coconut cream or plant milk.

Recommended Equipment: This is the Instant Pot (affiliate link) I use and love. Keep in mind if using another model, cooking times may differ.

Nutrition is calculated with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and ¼ cup almond milk.

Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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