Want a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast? Instant Pot Oatmeal is your answer! It’s completely hands-off, easy to make with this foolproof recipe, and cooked to an amazing creamy consistency. Serve these Instant Pot steel-cut oats the way you like, topped with fresh fruits or nuts.
I usually don’t like oats unless they are perfectly cooked. Microwaving oats is definitely not my thing. I used to slow-cook oats on the stovetop. However, now I have discovered the art of pressure cooking oats in the instant pot and will never look back to other techniques.
Steel-cut oats are not just a quick breakfast; they are also nutritious. They have lots of fiber and a low glycemic index, so they are a much better choice for a healthy breakfast.
If you like oats for breakfast, also check out this sweetened Oats Kheer and this savory Indian Masala Oatmeal.
Watch How to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal
Why Make Oatmeal in the Instant Pot?
Hands-free: This recipe for Instant Pot steel-cut oats is completely hands-free. You just add the ingredients and let the Instant Pot do its magic. You can also make these dump-and-start instant pot oatmeal with the pot-in-pot method. This helps with the easy cleanup, so you don’t have to wash the large steel insert.
Great for meal prep: These steel-cut oats are perfect for meal prep. The Instant Pot has a large capacity, so you can make a big batch and reheat it for a healthy, nutritious breakfast all week.
Delay timer: Oats can be cooked in the instant pot with a delay timer, so you can wake up to a perfectly cooked hot breakfast in the morning.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Ratio
Steel-cut Oats: 1 cup
Liquid: 2.5 cups (water or milk of choice)
This is the ratio I follow for making steel-cut oats in the main steel insert or pot-in-pot in the instant pot. You can always add more water/milk while serving to adjust consistency.
If adding milk while cooking, I recommend adding a smaller quantity of milk if using dairy or using non-dairy milk.
How Long Does it Take to Cook?
You set the Instant Pot to a pressure cooking time of four minutes (6 minutes for pot-in-pot method). However, the overall time is higher as the Instant Pot takes about 10 minutes to come to pressure, and you will need at least 10 minutes of natural pressure release after the oats are cooked.
It might seem like the overall time to cook is the same as on the stovetop. But remember, this is completely hands-off versus having to watch and stir the oats on the stovetop.
How to Make Steel-cut Oats in Instant Pot?
My usual way is to put oats in the instant pot as soon as I wake up. And by the time I am ready, I return to perfectly cooked oats. You can even set them in the night with a delay timer and have breakfast ready when you wake up.
Add the oats, water, and/or milk of choice to the instant pot and give it a good stir.
Set the pressure cook mode on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once the cooking is done, the pressure is released naturally. Voila! Perfect oats are ready.
Pot-in-Pot Method
- Add the oats, water, and/or milk of choice to a bowl that fits inside the instant pot.
- Add one cup of water to the instant pot’s main steel insert, then place a trivet on top. Then, place the bowl with the oats on the trivet.
- Pressure cook for six minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally, or at least let it release naturally for 10 minutes, then release it manually.
Overnight Instant Pot Oats with Delay Timer
To cook oats overnight with the delay timer, add the oats and water to the pot. Set the timer to the desired time, such as 8 hours (Press pressure cook, then press Timer and adjust to the desired time). The instant pot will start cooking at the set time. Once the pressure is released naturally, add milk and adjust oatmeal to the desired consistency.
Dress the oatmeal anyway you like with fresh fruits, nuts or seeds. You can also top with nut butter, some honey or maple syrup, or any other favorite toppings.
Storage
Let the oatmeal cool completely. Place oatmeal in airtight containers in small portions. Refrigerate up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or stovetop one container at a time. Add milk or water as needed to adjust the consistency.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Lentils & Beans
Mexican Black Beans in Instant Pot
Rice & Grains
Perfect Basmati Rice – Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 101
How to Boil Potatoes in Instant Pot?
Instant Pot 101
Amazing Steamed Broccoli – Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Oatmeal (Fast, Easy and Creamy)
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup Steel-cut Oats
- 2 1/2 cup Water, or substitute with half milk of choice
Topping Options
- Fresh fruits
- Nuts/Seeds
- Sweetener
- Nut Butter
Instructions
- Add the oats and water (and/or milk) to the instant pot. Give a quick stir. Close the lid with the vent in the sealing position.
- Start instant pot in pressure cook mode on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Once the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. (You can also do a 10-minute NPR, which means let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release it).
- Perfectly cooked oats are ready to enjoy with toppings of choice. Add more liquid to adjust consistency as needed.
Pot-in-Pot Method
- In a bowl that fits inside the instant pot, add the oats, water, and/or milk of choice.
- Add one cup of water into the instant pot main steel insert then place a trivet. Then place the bowl with the oats on the trivet.
- Pressure cook for six minutes on high-pressure. Once the cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally. (You can also do a 10-minute NPR, which means let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release it).
Two different times are given in the recipe for high pressure (4 min and 6 min). Which do you suggest? Thanks!
Oh! Never mind! I reread!
Can this recipe be made with just water instead of milk?
Hi Radha – sure, you can make this oatmeal with just water too.
Woke up to delicious breakfast today. I used the overnight and delay timer method. Thank you for this recipe!
So happy to hear that, Gunjan! I appreciate your review.
Hi
I would love to try this recipe in instant pot method
Is 3 min manual method high pressure or low pressure?
Hi Bhavya – It is the default high pressure. Hope you enjoy the oatmeal.
Hey Meeta,
I tried this recipe along with the natural pressure release, and it gave me the most perfect creamy oats! Will be having parents visiting, and wanted to check is it possible to double the quantity of oats to 2 cups or even slightly more? If so, what are the water and milk proportions I should use?
Thanks!!
Hey Neha – Glad you enjoyed the oats. Yes, you can easily double the quantity of oats. I would suggest to not double the milk initially, but add more as needed after pressure cooking is done and you open the instant pot.
Hey Meeta,
For the same thinner consistency as mentioned in your recipe, how would the ratios and cooking time change if I used rolled oats or quick oats?
Thanks!
Hey Kiara – I have used the same ratio as in the recipe and it worked. That said, if you let it sit for sometime the oats thicken and you can add more liquid (water/milk) to adjust the consistency. Hope you enjoy it!
P.S. I love your comments and questions. Thank you for following the blog ?
Thanks 🙂 And no problem! Your blog is really teaching me that I can cook for myself.
Is this an intentionally-runny recipe? I followed it and ended up needing to boil down the oats.
Hello Alan –
Thanks for trying this recipe. I do mention in the details that this recipe is for a little thinner consistency. And I have noticed after making oats many times now, that if you leave them for about 20 minutes after the instant pot beeps, then they actually do soak in most of the liquid.
Cheers, Meeta
Hi. Have you tried with more milk and less water? And do they become creamier if i leave them for 20 min after the beep? Thanks!
Hey Ritu – I think we already discussed on the instant pot group on facebook, but want to make sure I respond. I have not tried with more milk, usually keep at this ratio. They become very creamy. I do a NPR after cooking the oats, so that already takes 15-20 mins and by then all the liquid is well absorbed. Sometimes if we eat after an hour of cooking, I actually add more milk as it is too thick 🙂