Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (Fool-Proof!)

User Reviews

4.8

468 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    1 min

  • Cook Time

    4 mins

  • Additional Time

    25 mins

  • Total Time

    30 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Calories

    205 kcal

  • Course

    Breakfast

  • Cuisine

    American

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (Fool-Proof!)

This recipe cooks steel cut oats in an Instant Pot using water and optional salt. The pressure cooking method yields creamy, tender oats with minimal stirring and less hands-on time compared to stovetop. Steel cut oats remain whole but soften thoroughly after pressure cooking and natural release.

Description

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (Fool-Proof!) requires combining steel cut oats with water in the pressure cooker, optionally seasoning with a pinch of salt. Cooking for 4 minutes at high pressure, followed by a natural release of at least 15 minutes, produces creamy oats with a pleasantly chewy texture. The recipe is scalable, with specific recommendations for different Instant Pot sizes to maintain proper pot volume and cooking times.

The oats are best finished by releasing pressure carefully and stirring before serving. Do not substitute milk for water during cooking, as milk may scorch and cause errors in the Instant Pot. Milk or cream can be added afterward to enrich the flavor and texture.

This method simplifies steel cut oat preparation while maintaining their hearty texture and nutritional value, making them a reliable breakfast or snack option.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 cups steel cut oats (certified gluten-free, if necessary)
  • 5 cups water
  • salt optional, pinch

Instructions

  1. Combine the steel-cut oats and water in the bowl of a 6-quart Instant Pot and give them a stir. (If using a different size machine, please see the notes for modifications.) Secure the lid and turn the steam release valve at the top to "Sealing." 
  2. Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button to cook at high pressure for 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will read "ON" as it comes to pressure, which may take about 10 minutes. When the floating valve in the lid pops up, you'll know the pot is pressurized and the countdown will begin.
  3. When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 15 minutes. (The timer on the Instant Pot will remain on after the cooking cycle to let you know how long it's been kept warm unless you press the OFF button. I like to keep it on for the timer function.) It's okay if you let them sit in the pot longer, too!
  4. Once 15 minutes have passed, turn the steam release valve to "venting" to release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid and stir the oats to incorporate any water that has risen to the top. The oats will thicken as they cool; feel free to add extra water or your favorite milk to loosen the texture.
  5. Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Leftover oats can be stored in individual containers in the fridge for up to a week, for a fast breakfast on the go. 

Notes

  • Nutrition estimates are for about 1 cup cooked oats; actual values vary by ingredient brands.
  • Do not replace water with milk during cooking to avoid scorching and error triggers.
  • When using a 3-quart Instant Pot, halve the recipe and keep cooking time the same.
  • For an 8-quart Instant Pot, reduce cooking time to 3 minutes due to longer pressurizing.
  • The recipe was updated to reduce natural release time from 20 to 15 minutes and include optional salt.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 205kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 3g (5%) Sodium 10mg (0%) Fiber 5g (20%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 2.2mg (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 205 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 205kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 3g 5%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Fiber 5g 20%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 2.2mg 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.8

468 reviews
Excellent

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