This Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe is made deliciously flavorful with apples and cinnamon! Vegan, nut free and gluten free friendly – perfect for meal prep!
This post is sponsored in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help me bring you new recipes!
I’ll just be honest here and say I do not use my Instant Pot nearly as much as I should! But then I made this steel cut oats recipe and I was instantly (see what I did there) reminded of just how handy this countertop kitchen appliance is.
By using a pressure cooker, these steel cut oats were done in less than 30 minutes with no pot-watching or stirring necessary.
Re: preventing pot from boiling over because we’re multi-taskers and often forget about said pot on stovetop while multitasking.
Whether you’re looking for a quick steel cut oats recipe to enjoy in the morning or you’re prepping oatmeal for the week, you will love these creamy, perfectly spiced and lightly sweetened apple cinnamon oats!
Are Steel Cut Oats Healthy?
Yes! Steel cut oats (and other styles of oats) are a great source of whole grains providing fiber, iron, B vitamins, and have a low glycemic index.
Because steel cut oats are a complex carbohydrate, they can help provide sustained energy.
Steel cut oats have been minimally processed and they also contain a decent amount of protein.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- milk – I like to use part milk for making Instant Pot oatmeal because I want the creamy texture. Use non-dairy or cow’s milk
- water – Most recipes call for all water, but see above 🙂
- steel cut oats – once cooked, the texture of steel cut oats is slightly chewy compared to regular or quick oats. They take a bit longer to cook but they’re so worth it!
- apples – adds a natural sweetness and texture to the oatmeal.
- cinnamon – duh! Can’t do oats with apples and forget the cinnamon.
- maple syrup – a touch of sweetness to the oats base but you can always omit and add as you’d like once serving.
- vanilla – a little hint of vanilla goes a long way here.
- salt – a flavor enhancer.
Steel Cut vs Rolled Oats
This recipe is made in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill and we’re using their Gluten Free Organic Steel Cut Oats!
Bob’s has a large selection of whole grain products and tons of oats, including these gluten free and organic steel cut oats.
TIP: Most of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Products have the little red “GF” circular indicator on them. So if you’re looking for gluten-free, keep an eye out for their red symbol!
Difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats
When most of us think of oats, we likely think of rolled oats or quick oats – quite possibly having to do with the fact that they’re used in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and who doesn’t love those?
Honestly, I didn’t even know what steel cut oats were probably until my mid-twenties because I didn’t really grow up eating oatmeal!
The main differences are:
- Steel cut oats are oats that have been cut using a steel blade, hence the name “steel cut oats”. Also referred to as “Irish oats.”
- Rolled oats are oats that have been steamed and pressed.
- Quick oats are made from rolled oats, often called “old fashioned oats”
When it comes to making oatmeal, personally I prefer steel cut oats over quick oats. Yes – even in my overnight oats recipes I like using steel cut oats (or mixing them with regular oats!) because I love the texture they keep.
Nutritionally speaking, they’re almost identical but steel cut oats will have more fiber in comparison to their rolled counterpart.
How to Make Steel Cut Oats in a Pressure Cooker
As you may have guessed, we’re using an electric pressure cooker to cook these steel cut oats with apples and cinnamon!
And guess what? It’s super easy and essentially hands-off.
Step 1
First chop the apples – I like to leave the skins on.
Step 2
Add milk and water to pot then chopped apples, steel cut oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt. Give it a stir.
Step 3
Close lid and set vent to sealing position. Then hit manual and set timer for 4 minutes. Allow pressure to build for about 10 minutes before timer starts.
Step 4
Once timer has gone off, naturally release for 15 minutes (do not turn vent), then you can manually release the rest of pressure and open lid to stir.
What Does Steel Cut Oatmeal Taste Like?
These Instant Pot steel cut oats are thick and creamy, with a slight crunch in the oats, but not truly crunchy. If you haven’t had steel cut oats before they have a slightly different texture than rolled oats or quick oats, so just be mindful of that.
Apple Oatmeal Toppings
- Favorite nut butter – peanut, cashew, almond or even coconut butter for a sweeter topping. Sunflower butter works too!
- Seeds for some extra nutrition – hemp hearts, flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc.
- Yogurt – I love a good dollop of yogurt swirled in. Dairy free or regular, pick your favorite!
This recipe for steel cut oats is going to be on repeat all season long! It’s quick, easy and something the whole family will enjoy.
If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment and review below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
PrintInstant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Apples & Cinnamon
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats made deliciously flavorful with apples and cinnamon! Top with peanut butter and your favorite superseeds for a hearty breakfast. Vegan, nut free and gluten free friendly – perfect for meal prep!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 large servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups water
- 1.5 cups non-dairy milk (I used oat)
- 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats
- 2 medium apples, chopped (honeycrisp or granny smith would work well here)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
optional toppings
- your favorite nut butter, seeds, nuts, maple syrup or honey to taste
Instructions
- Combine water, milk, oats, apples, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup and salt in pressure cooker pot. Stir until evenly combined then close and lock lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing position.
- Hit Manual on Instant Pot, and set timer to 4 minutes. (It takes pressure about 10 minutes or so to build).
- Once the timer beeps after 4 minutes and a countdown begins, allow pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes. Then you can manually release the rest of the pressure (make sure to keep hands and face away). Oats will be thick and creamy and thicken upon standing.
- Remove lid and use large wooden spoon to stir (use oven mitts if holding pot) and then serve into bowls.
- Add favorite toppings like peanut butter, a sprinkle of hemp hearts or chia seeds, maybe some honey to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe was made in 6 quart Instant Pot. Recipe will yield 4 good-sized bowls. If you want more leftovers to serve a family of 4, double recipe.
Adapted from allrecipes.com
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bowls
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 122
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: steel cut oats recipe, apple cinnamon oatmeal, instant pot oats
Loretta says
Easy and delicious!!!
Ashley says
Glad you liked them, Loretta! Thanks so much for your comment 😀
Karen says
Outstanding, topped with blueberries sans banana. Mixed peanut butter into hot mixture before putting it in the bowel. Among our favorites.
Ashley says
Thanks so much for your feedback, Karen! Love blueberries in oatmeal 🙂
Pam says
followed recipe exactly. It came out very liquid soupy?? Is that the correct texture?
Ashley says
Hi Pam, I actually just recently re-tested this and after letting the pressure naturally release (not touching the valve) the mixture will have some thickness to it but should not be thin-soup-like. It also thickens heavily upon standing and once refrigerated as well.
Nancy Gordon says
Sorry, I’m new to the Instant Pot. Would you be able to better explain the timing part of your post? Do I set the Instant Pot timer to 4 min. or 10 min?
Ashley says
Hi Nancy, No worries! I am glad you reached out. You’ll set the timer to cook for 4 minutes, which takes about 10-15 minutes for the pressure to build, before that timer starts. Once the timer is done, allow the pressure to rest for 10 minutes. Then you’ll move the valve to the “venting position” to release the remaining pressure. Once all of the pressure is gone you’ll be able to open the lid and then you’ll stir the oats and serve. Hope that helps!
Amber says
Is using all water an option instead of any milk or milk substitutes? Or would it not come out right?
Ashley says
Using all water should be fine – it just won’t have as creamy of a consistency