Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe (Steel Cut & Rolled Oats)
While making Oatmeal in your Instant Pot doesn’t necessarily make it faster, it is certainly easier, way easier! My Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe can be used for steel cut oats or old-fashioned rolled oats with oodles of topping and mix-in ideas.
Add oats (steel cut or rolled oats) to the Instant Pot, then add water, milk, kosher salt and cinnamon stick if using.
Place on lid and secure, move vent knob to seal position, set timer on high for 3 minutes (see below for high altitude tips). It will take 7-10 minutes to come to pressure. Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10-20 minutes, then release any residual steam, stir and serve with your favorite toppings (see below for ideas)!
I liked my rolled oats in the Instant Pot at 15 minutes natural release time instead of 20.
Topping & Mix-In Ideas
Oatmeal Bar Topping Ideas | Place the following in small bowls with small spoons for people to customize their own oats. Butter, brown sugar, dried cranberries, raisins, toasted almonds, toasted pecans (or any other nut), fresh fruit, cinnamon and some flaky sea salt*. This Graham Cracker Crunch would also be amazing sprinkled on top!
Banana Split Oatmeal | Slice bananas, swirl in a little strawberry jam, sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips.
Cocoa Loco Oatmeal | Add 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the oat mixture before cooking, or stir in a teaspoon into an individual bowl, sprinkle your favorite toasted nuts (try hazelnuts!) and a little flaked coconut.
Classic Oatmeal | Butter (I love grass-fed), a little brown sugar and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. This is my favorite way! Some people love a little cream or milk in it too, that would be my hubby.
Traditional Irish Oatmeal | Top your oatmeal with a drizzle of honey, definitely a sprinkle of sea salt and a splash of milk – some say they enjoy a little splash of whiskey too on the weekends!
Nut Butter Oatmeal | Amp up the protein with a spoonful of your favorite nut butter; peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter and of course the favorite; Nutella! Swirl in a little jam or honey, sprinkle with a little salt and you have dream oatmeal!
Eggnog Oatmeal | Replace half or all of your milk with eggnog, this is a great use for leftover eggnog, in addition to the cinnamon stick, add ¼ teaspoon of fresh grated nutmeg. Add butter, sweetener of choice and a little extra eggnog for serving.
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal | Before cooking, stir in 1 cup of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix), 1 teaspoon of nutmeg and cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Serve with a little butter and brown sugar.
Notes
High Altitude Instant Pot Oatmeal Tips
Things take a little longer to cook at altitude in the Instant Pot, for soft and creamy oatmeal, increase the under pressure time to 4-5 minutes, you may have to play with it depending on your altitude.
If it’s not quite cooked to your liking, you can always add a few minutes of time back on the pressure cooker, even after the release, but just try a minute or two at a time.
The longer it sits the more liquid the oats (steel or old-fashioned rolled oats) will soak up. Sometimes you just need to allow it to sit a few more minutes.
I liked my Instant Pot Rolled Oats at 15 minutes natural pressure release.
Option for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Apple
Press the saute function on your pressure cooker, when it reads hot, add 2 tablespoons butter to the IP and melt. Add 1-2 small chopped apples (cored, but not necessary to peel unless you want to) and saute for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add steel cut oat groats and saute for another minute. Press cancel, then proceed with the recipe.