In this Basics by The BakerMama, I teach you how to make steel cut oatmeal in the Instant Pot and on the stovetop for the best bowl of tasty hot oatmeal you’ve ever had!

A bowl of steel cut oatmeal topped with banana slices and fresh blueberries and drizzled with peanut butter. Next to the bowl are two spoons on the left side and a blue and white tea towel to the bottom right.

Basics by The BakerMama

Welcome to Basics by The BakerMama! I created this how-to series to help beginner cooks hone their skills, make the most of their time in the kitchen, and create great family memories. I hope you enjoy!

Steel Cut Oatmeal: Anything But Boring

Some mornings, I wake up dreaming about oatmeal. Surprised? Don’t be! If you’re stuck on the notion that oatmeal is boring, let me change your mind right now. Oatmeal is anything but boring! Even all by itself, the nuttiness and chewy texture of steel cut oatmeal is so intensely craveable. And so healthy. I don’t have to tell you what all that fiber is good for. 😜

Two white ceramic bowls of oatmeal. One is topped with raspberries and the other is topped with banana slices, blueberries and a peanut butter drizzle.

Topped with fruit, honey, nut butter, or even some chocolate chips, dressed-up oatmeal makes breakfast pretty out-of-this world. But don’t take my word for it!

A spoonful of oatmeal with blueberries and a peanut butter drizzle.

What Do I Need to Make Steel Cut Oatmeal?

  • Steel cut oats
  • Water or milk
  • 6-quart pressure cooker or large pot/dutch oven
A jar of milk and a white dish filled with raw steel cut oats on a white marble counter.

How to Cook Steel Cut Oatmeal in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

I love using our Instant Pot for the most hands-off, “set it and forget it” oats. But honestly, while the cooking time is short, it’s not exactly instant. Instant Pots and pressure cookers take time to heat up and depressurize, so make sure to give yourself enough time for the process.

  • In the bowl of a 6-quart Instant Pot or pressure cooker, stir together the steel cut oats and water. Secure the lid and turn the steam valve to seal.
  • Press the “pressure cook” button, then set the cook time to 4 minutes on HIGH pressure. The Instant Pot will read “ON” as it comes to pressure, which will take about 15 minutes. When the floating valve in the lid pops up that means the pot is pressurized and the countdown will begin.
A wooden spoon in a pressure cooker of oatmeal.
  • When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the steam release valve to vent to release any remaining pressure.
  • Then carefully remove the lid and stir the oatmeal to incorporate any water on top.
A wooden spoon in a pressure cooker of oatmeal.
  • The oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sets.
An instant pot with oatmeal in it and a wooden spoonful of oatmeal hovering above it.

How to Make Steel Cut Oats On the Stove

Cooking steel cut oats on the stove requires a little attention, but it’s still super easy.

  • First, in a large pot over high heat, bring the water or milk to a boil. Then stir in the oats.
A white dutch oven will hot milk and steel cut oats.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
A white Dutch oven with milk and oats.
  • Simmer until oatmeal is of desired consistency. Oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sets.
A wooden spoon in a white dutch oven full of oatmeal.

More Basics for a Better Breakfast

How to Store and Reheat Oatmeal

You can store cooked steel cut oatmeal in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Steel cut oatmeal is actually really great served cold. Just stir in a few tablespoons of milk or water until cold oatmeal is creamy and then add in additional mix-ins or toppings. My favorite is stirring 2 tablespoons milk into 1 cup cold oatmeal along with a tablespoon peanut butter. I then top it with sliced banana, berries, and a drizzle of honey. Yum!! But if you want it hot, here are the best ways to reheat oatmeal.

Individual Portion: place 1 cup refrigerated steel cut oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in a few tablespoons of milk or water. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until heated through and creamy again.

Large Batch: place refrigerated steel cut oatmeal in a saucepan. Stir in a few tablespoons of milk or water for each cup of cooked steel cut oatmeal. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through and creamy again.

A wooden spoon in a white dutch oven full of oatmeal.

I hope you find these simple basics helpful! When you make something with the help of my The BakerMama’s Basics series, be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share.

xoxo,

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Basics by The BakerMama: How to Make Steel Cut Oatmeal

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  • Author: The BakerMama

Description

In this Basics by The BakerMama, I teach you how to make steel cut oatmeal in the Instant Pot and on the stovetop for the best bowl of tasty hot oatmeal you’ve ever had!


Ingredients

Instant Pot (Makes 8 cups)

  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 5 cups water

Stove Top (Makes 4 cups)

  • 4 cups water or milk
  • 1 cup steel cut oats

Instructions

Instant Pot:

  1. In the bowl of a 6-quart Instant Pot or pressure cooker, stir together the steel cut oats and water. Secure the lid and turn the steam valve to seal.
  2. Press the “pressure cook” button, then set the cook time to 4 minutes on HIGH pressure. The Instant Pot will read “ON” as it comes to pressure, which will take about 15 minutes. When the floating valve in the lid pops up that means the pot is pressurized and the countdown will begin.
  3. When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes.
  4. After 20 minutes, turn the steam release valve to vent to release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid and stir the oatmeal to incorporate any water on top. The oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sets.

Stove Top:

  1. In a large pot over high heat, bring the water or milk to a boil. Stir in the oats and reduce the heat to low.
  2. Simmer, uncovered, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer until the oatmeal is of desired consistency keeping in mind that the oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sets.

Notes

Store steel cut oatmeal in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

About The BakerMama

Maegan is the author of her best-selling Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads and Brilliant Bites cookbooks. She started blogging in 2012 and features hundreds of original recipes on The BakerMama. She truly enjoys sharing her easy, family-friendly recipes, creative meal ideas, food board creations, and entertaining spreads to encourage others to get in the kitchen and make something memorable for their loved ones to enjoy together. Learn More

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