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Creamy Instant Pot Oatmeal

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 27, 2025

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5 from 12 votes

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Creamy instant pot oatmeal pinterest image.
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Instant Pot Oatmeal makes cooking breakfast a breeze because the entire process is hands-off. Making steel cut oats in the instant pot is as easy as 2 ingredients and 1 minute of hands-on time. It’s the perfect breakfast for busy weekday mornings and will keep you feeling full and satisfied until lunch!

Overhead shot of bowl of instant pot oatmeal being dug into with spoon.

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For the past ten years, I can only tell you a handful of times I’ve actually eaten breakfast on a weekday.

Of course, on the weekends I love to whip up something special like this Salted Caramel Banana Bread with Yogurt or these super delicious Mexican Breakfast Tostadas.

I mean, you just can’t have a bad day if you start it with good food.

But on the weekdays it’s easy to run out of time before I have to head out the door to work. Since we all know that eating a hearty breakfast is one of the best ways to start your day right, I decided to find some easy recipes that I can make while I am getting ready in the morning.

And when I say easy, I mean EASY.

The Instant Pot is changing my life!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Instant Pot Oatmeal is made with two ingredients – steel cut oats and almond milk (or water). Stir them together, press a button, then hop in the shower while the Instant Pot works its magic! You’ll be greeted by a steaming hot bowl of flavorful, comforting, and nutritious steel cut oatmeal just waiting to usher you into the day.

Two bowls of oatmeal, one with steel cut oats and the other with regular oats.
Regular oats on the top. Steel cut oats on the bottom.

Ingredients needed

You only need two ingredients! First up, steel cut oats.

Second, a liquid of choice: I use vanilla almond milk to give my oats a ton of flavor right from the get-go, but you could also use water. Do NOT use regular milk as it can scorch during the cooking process.

How to make it

While the Instant Pot doesn’t make everything in an “instant” it does make cooking so much easier and hands-free. In this case, preparing steel cut oats in the traditional stovetop method would take about 40 minutes, the whole time of which you need to babysit and stir them.

Instant Pot steel cut oats, on the other hand, only need 4 minutes of cooking time, plus 10 minutes for the pressure to build and 10 minutes for the pressure to release. So a total of about 25 minutes, 24 of which are completely hands-free! Here are the steps:

  • Spray the liner of your Instant Pot with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup that much easier.
  • Add steel cut oats, your liquid of choice, and a bit of salt to the Instant Pot. Then close the lid and set the steaming valve to “sealing.”
  • Push manual button and set to 4 minutes.
  • Walk away and forget it! It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, 4 minutes to cook, then 10 more minutes to release the pressure.
  • Add toppings of choice. You can dress these up however you want. See below for a list of topping ideas.
cooked oats in the instant pot.
Side view of bowl of instant pot oats next to instant pot.

Topping ideas

Instant Pot steel cut oats are made extra delicious by adding a few toppings! You can honestly use anything you like, but here are some of my favorite toppings.

  • Sweeteners – A drizzle of honey or maple syrup is perfect.
  • Fruit – Fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, bananas, or pears are all good choices.
  • Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or almonds are delicious.
  • Nut butters – Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter add a little extra creaminess.
  • Other toppings – I love to add coconut flakes, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of cocoa powder, or dried fruit. Get creative!
Bowl of instant pot oatmeal topped with berries and nuts.

What is the ratio of water to steel cut oats?

For every cup of steel cut oats you need 2 1/2 cups of liquid. If you prefer slightly looser oatmeal, you can add an extra 1/4 cup of liquid for every cup of oats.

Do you rinse steel cut oats before cooking?

There is no need to rinse the oats before cooking. The Instant Pot makes them soft and tender with no problem.

Are steel cut oats healthy?

Yes, it’s such a great option for a healthy breakfast. Steel cut oats are packed with fiber (even more than rolled oats) and protein. They are also naturally gluten-free, a great source of iron, and a long-lasting source of energy.

Overhead shot of bowl of oatmeal next to instant pot.

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Did you try this instant pot oatmeal?

If you loved this insta pot oatmeal, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Bowl of instant pot oatmeal.

Full Recipe

Instant Pot Oatmeal

Instant Pot Oats makes cooking breakfast a breeze because the entire process is hands-off. It's the perfect breakfast for busy weekday mornings and will keep you feeling full and satisfied until lunch! 
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 1 minute min
Cook Time: 4 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 2  cups steel cut oats
  • 5  cups vanilla almond milk (or water (do NOT use dairy milk – it will burn))
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Lightly coat Instant Pot with cooking spray.
  • Add oats, almond milk, and salt to Instant Pot.
  • Make sure your sealing ring is in place on the lid. Lock the lid onto Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to the “sealing” position.
  • Press the “manual” button and set Instant Pot for high pressure for 4 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for Instant Pot to come to full pressure, then the display will show a countdown timer.
  • Once the 4 minutes are up, allow the pressure to release naturally. It will take about 10-12 minutes, then the float valve will drop. Open the lid and stir the oatmeal, adding additional milk if you would like a thinner consistency.
  • Serve topped with fresh fruit, coconut flakes, honey, or any other toppings you enjoy.

Notes

Topping ideas
  • Sweeteners – A drizzle of honey or maple syrup is perfect.
  • Fruit – Fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, bananas, or pears are all good choices.
  • Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or almonds are delicious.
  • Nut butters – Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter add a little extra creaminess.
  • Other toppings – I love to add coconut flakes, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of cocoa powder, or dried fruit. Get creative!

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 406mg | Fiber: 9g | Calcium: 415mg | Iron: 3.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

This post was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2021 to add new photographs and information. The instapot oatmeal recipe remains. Enjoy!

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5 from 12 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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20 responses

  1. Wendy
    July 18, 2018

    5 stars
    This was my first recipe EVER made in my Instant Pot (Ultra) – soooo good! I didn’t realize the Keep Warm feature can supposedly make it take aaaaaages to release the pressure, and that’s what I encountered. After about 15 minutes, I ended up using the Quick Release function. I love my oats chewy – these were terrific!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      July 19, 2018

      You know what Wendy – I never thought about that! I didn’t think about the Keep Warm function making it take longer for the pressure to release. I may just unplug mine after the cooking time is up now…

      Reply
  2. Emily
    August 7, 2018

    5 stars
    This is the best steel cut oatmeal recipe! It comes out perfect every. single. time. The first time I attempted your recipe, my husband couldn’t get over how perfectly cooked it was, so thank you!

    I typically do 4 cups of water and 1 cup of non-dairy milk just to add a bit of creaminess. To serve, I usually just add a bit more non-dairy milk and a spoonful of peanut butter. Delish!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 11, 2018

      I’m so happy to hear that you like it Emily! Love your idea to stir in some peanut butter!

      Reply
  3. Sabrianne
    July 26, 2021

    5 stars
    I am making this for a staff meeting. How many servings do you think I can fit in an 8 quart?

    Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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