Instant Pot Oatmeal

Instant Pot Oatmeal can be made with old fashioned oats or steel cut oats. Both recipes are included and both recipes are comforting, healthy and quick. Variations for oatmeal toppings are inside too.

Unlike other make-ahead methods for oatmeal, it doesn’t matter which type of oatmeal you use, steel-cut or rolled — you’ll have a delicious breakfast in under 30 minutes.

Instant pot oatmeal is the perfect healthy breakfast for any tastebuds. Whether you like sweet or savory this breakfast is extremely versatile.

If you’re feeding two mouths or six, this recipe makes breakfast so much easier. 

In our house, we love this recipe. On Sunday, I can make large batches for the week. Then, throw some in the freezer or refrigerator and switch up the toppings to match whatever we’re feeling each morning. 

Jump to:

• 🔪 Oatmeal instructions
• 📋 Instant pot steel cut oats
• 📋 Old fashioned and rolled
• 📖 Oatmeal toppings
• 💭 What’s the difference between steel oats and rolled oats
• 📖 Instant pot side dishes
• 📋 Recipe

We started eating oatmeal many times during the week when we learned how filling and healthy it is, especially for our lifestyle.

I didn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen cooking or cleaning making a nutritious breakfast. 

🔪 Oatmeal instructions

• I typically make oatmeal with whatever type of oatmeal I have on hand, with the exception of quick oats. 
• Add all four ingredients to the instant pot. Stir.

• Set to manual setting to high - 3 minutes for rolled oats or 6 minutes for steel cut.
• Once the cooking time ends, let the pot naturally release the pressurized steam for 20 minutes.
• Carefully release value to release steam.

• Serve with toppings of your choice
• Store leftovers in refrigerator 3-5 days

📋 Instant pot steel cut oats

Steel cut oats take about three minutes longer to cook in the instant pot than rolled oats. 

To make steel cut oatmeal, you’ll need: 

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 cup of dairy-free milk
• 2 cups of water
• ¼ - ½ teaspoon cinnamon — more or less based on your preference

Simply add these ingredients into your instant pot. Choose the manual setting — on high for six minutes. 

Once the time is up, let it naturally release the pressure for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes is over, carefully release the valve to let out any steam.

If you’re serving the oatmeal right away, mix it with your favorite toppings. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite oatmeal toppings.

Or let the oatmeal cool and place into an airtight container in the refrigerator to serve at a later time. 

📋 Old fashioned and rolled

There aren’t many differences when it comes to making instant pot rolled oats (also old fashioned) or steel-cut, but there are a couple of differences I need to note: 

To make instant pot rolled oats, you’ll need: 

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup dairy-free milk
• ¼ - ½ teaspoon cinnamon — more or less based on your preference
• 1 cup of water

Add these ingredients into your instant pot. Choose the manual setting for three minutes. Just like steel-cut oats, you’ll let it naturally release for 20 minutes after the timer has gone off. 

Carefully turn the pressure release knob to let out any additional steam. Serve the oatmeal immediately with your favorite toppings, or refrigerate for later. 

That’s it. Interested in what kind of toppings to add to put a nice spin on your oatmeal? Keep scrolling to learn more.

📖 Oatmeal toppings

One of the big reasons I love making oatmeal is because it never gets old. I mix up the toppings so frequently it rarely feels like I’m eating the same thing every morning.

You can see that these photos have a variety of berries and large flake coconut but the ideas are endless. Here are a few of my favorites: 

• Fruit - blueberries, strawberries, bananas, kiwi, pomegranate seeds, blackberries, red raspberries, apples, peaches
• Chocolate chips — we love chocolate chip oatmeal as dessert, too.
• Nuts —  walnuts, pecans, almonds
• Dried cranberries, raisins 
• Chia seeds or flax seeds — adding these is a great way to add some extra fiber and protein.
• Sliced coconut 
• Maple Syrup
• Brown Sugar 
• Dairy free milk of your choice.

💭 What’s the difference between steel oats and rolled oats

• There are so many types of oatmeal available — steel-cut, rolled, quick, what’s the difference? 
• Steel-cut oats are the least processed of the three. They have a nuttier flavor and chewier texture.
• Rolled oats are also known as old-fashioned oats. Rolled oats have gone through a steaming and pressing process. They have a smoother texture and a milder flavor. They are ideal for cookies and other baked goods.
• Quick-oats go through the most processing in order to decrease cooking time as much as possible. They tend to have a mushy texture and are not ideal for the instant pot but will work in a pinch in the microwave. 

Oatmeal is a staple breakfast choice in our home. We adore quick, easy, and nutritious recipes. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 

📖 Instant pot side dishes

• Refried beans can be made in the instant pot from scratch and they turn out fantastic.
• Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots is one of the most popular recipes on the blog.

If you take a photo of your healthy and warm instant pot oatmeal I would love to see it. I'd love to see your toppings too. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.

📋 Recipe