Steel Cut Overnight Oats are made with just seven ingredients for a balanced breakfast filled with complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Easy for meal prep to store in the refrigerator for the next few mornings. Gluten free and vegan friendly!
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Overnight oats with steel cut oats require some time in the fridge, but if you prefer hot oatmeal made in a flash, try my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutty flavor, chewy texture, and deliciously easy to make!
- A great base recipe that can be customized in so many different ways!
- Less than 5 minutes of prep time for a healthy breakfast for the week!
Steel Cut Oats vs Rolled Oats
The difference between the oat varieties depends on how they’ve been processed:
- Steel cut oats are whole oat groats that have been cut into smaller pieces using a steel blade. They’re also referred to as “Irish oats”.
- Rolled oats have been pressed and steamed.
- Quick oats are made from rolled oats that have been cut into small pieces, also called instant oats.
All three oats will soak up differently and your tastebuds may prefer one oat variety over another. While traditional overnight oats are made with rolled oats or quick oats, I love using steel cut oats for overnight oats. They have a hearty texture and stay a little chewy, which I personally enjoy.
Recipe Ingredients
You may be wondering if steel cut oats are “healthier” than other oats. Not necessarily. But they are less processed and contain more fiber than old-fashioned oats or quick cooking oats. Along with steel cut oats, we will need:
- steel cut oats – steel cut oats can be found in the same aisle as regular oats at the grocery store. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill. While soaking steel cut oats does take a little bit longer in the refrigerator, their chewy texture is so worth it.
- chia seeds – adds a good dose of healthy fats but also helps thicken the oat mixture.
- Greek or Skyr yogurt – my favorite way to make oats is with yogurt. It keeps the consistency creamy and adds a fair amount of protein. You can use a thick plant based yogurt (Siggi’s makes a good one), plain Greek yogurt, or traditional Skyr.
- milk of choice – I typically go for an unsweetened non-dairy milk (i.e. almond milk, soy milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, etc.) but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
- pure maple syrup – adding additional sugar here is definitely optional, but I found the oats tastes best with just a hint of sweetness. If you’re using a flavored yogurt, you probably don’t need it. Or, you could always taste test the oats the next morning and add in a hint of maple syrup, drizzle of honey, or brown sugar as needed.
- vanilla extract – for special floral flavor!
- pinch of salt – enhances the natural sweetness and oaty flavor!
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Overnight steel cut oats can be thrown together in 5 minutes and then placed in the fridge overnight. After about eight hours in the fridge, the steel cut oats will absorb the liquid and the oats will become softer. Here’s how I like to do it:
1. Combine
In a large bowl, mix together one cup of steel cut oats, chia seeds, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
2. Refrigerate for 8 hours
Cover the oat mixture and place in the fridge for at least 8 hours.
3. Stir & Serve
The next morning, give it a good stir. Portion into a bowl and top with your favorite toppings!
Enjoy Cold or Warm
- Cold from the fridge: After the oats have been refrigerated overnight, they’re ready to enjoy! You can eat them straight from the jar or transfer into a bowl and serve with your favorite mix-ins.
- Warm: I assume most people enjoy regular overnight oats cold, but if you’re more of a traditional oatmeal eater, these can easily be warmed up too! Place in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove top and heat until warmed through. OR, pop a bowl into the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time in between. You might need to add a splash of milk or a little water for the right consistency.
Have Fun with Toppings
I’m all about the texture when it comes to oatmeal. While this overnight steel cuts oats recipe has so much texture on it’s own, my favorite go-to toppings consist of:
- nut butter – check out my homemade flavors!
- banana slices
- fresh berries
- hemp hearts and flax seed
- granola – for crunch! Try my homemade granola recipes.
How to Store
I recommend storing overnight steel cut oatmeal in a large airtight container for the first day, and then separating into individual portions the next day. The larger volume of liquid helps the oats soak more evenly. The oats will soften as the days go by, but steel cut oats hold their texture quite beautifully for 3-4 days.
TIP: The best overnight oats container is the one you already have on hand! But if you want to step up your overnight oatmeal game, I suggest purchasing a set of 16 ounce mason jars or a large glass jar.
Recipe FAQs
Can I heat steel cut overnight oats?
Yes, simply microwave them or heat them on the stovetop, adding a little more liquid if necessary to reach your desired consistency.
How long do steel cut overnight oats last in the refrigerator?
Enjoy this recipe within 4 days for best texture.
Can I speed up the soaking process?
Because steel cut oats need longer to soak, it is best to keep the batch in the fridge for at least 8 hours, but 12 hours is optimal.
Do I need to cook the steel cut oats before making this recipe?
No, this is still an overnight oats recipe. Make the recipe as written with uncooked steel cut oats and the oats will soften as they sit in the liquid mixture.
More Overnight Oat Recipes You’ll Love:
If you make this Steel Cut Overnight Oats recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Xx Ashley
Steel Cut Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1 ½ tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 ¾ cups milk of choice
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, Skyr, or dairy-free yogurt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine: Add all ingredients to large bowl and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
- Stir: The next morning, stir before enjoying and add favorite toppings.
- Serve: To enjoy warm, place desired amount in small saucepan, heating on medium low heat, adding more liquid for preferred consistency.
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