Oats Kheer, also known as Oats payasam, is a delicious twist of using oats in Indian dessert recipes. Sweetened oatmeal with cardamom, nuts, and raisins, this healthy breakfast or dessert can be cooked in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop within minutes.

Sweet Oatmeal (Oats Kheer) served in cups garnished with pistachops and saffron.
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Oats Kheer is a healthier version of the traditional rice kheer but with the same rich and creamy taste. I have cooked this scrumptious dessert using Quaker rolled oats, but you can use other store-bought brands too. You can serve this oats payasam warm or chilled. It makes up for a wholesome breakfast or a perfect dessert after dinner.

I will share the steps to make these Oats garnished with cardamom, saffron, nuts, and raisins in the instant pot and stovetop.

Other than the popular combination of rice and milk, you can also make Sabudhana Kheer, Vermicelli Kheer, or Sheer Khurma. These variations of the traditional kheer are just as delicious!

I usually try to include oats in our everyday meals as they are more nutritious yet easy to make. If you like adding fruits and nuts to oatmeal, do try my banana walnut oatmeal and banana chocolate chip overnight oats that my kids love. And if you like savory oats, try these masala oats.

What is Kheer?

A quintessential Indian dessert, Kheer is a go-to dish in the Indian subcontinent for almost all occasions and festivals. It is basically rice pudding cooked with milk and rice, and infused with the flavors of saffron and cardamom, and topped with nuts like cashews or pistachios.

Growing up, Kheer was a staple dessert dish in my home. My mother used to make it for every festival, occasion, or when we wanted something sweet.

Why use Oats to make Kheer?

Oats are healthier than rice and have many benefits when compared to traditional rice kheer. (Source)

  • They are gluten-free whole grains.
  • Oats are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
  • They are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber.
  • They can help in weight loss and in controlling blood sugar levels.
  • Oats also have a low glycemic index.

Oats, when cooked, turn quite mushy and give a thick, creamy texture. I have used rolled oats to make this dish. You can also cook this dish using steel-cut oats.

Sweet Indian Oats Kheer served in cups

How to make Instant Pot Oats Kheer?

Usually, cooking Kheer involves constant stirring of the milk and rice. But when cooking the oats kheer in the instant pot, all you need to do is dump-and-go and enjoy a break. Ensure that you roast the oats well before adding all the other ingredients. Also, sanitize the Instant Pot thoroughly before getting started on the oats kheer.

  • Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add ghee. Once melted, add rolled oats to the instant pot.
  • Stir and sauté them well till you get the aroma of roasted oats.
  • Add the remaining ingredients – milk, water, saffron, and cardamom.
  • Close the lid securely and cook for a minute in high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally.
  • Garnish the kheer with nuts and raisins and serve it warm or chilled.
Oats kheer in the instant pot

How long to cook rolled oats in the instant pot?

Rolled oats cook very quickly under pressure. I like to just cook them on high pressure for 1 minute, and they are the perfect consistency.

Can this Kheer be made with steel-cut oats in the instant pot?

Yes! You can follow the same process and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.

How to make Oats Kheer on the stovetop?

Just like instant pot, stovetop oats kheer can be made within 20-25 minutes as opposed to the longer cooking time for the traditional rice kheer. The initial prep work of this oats kheer is keeping ingredients ready along with chopped dry fruits of your choice.

  • Heat a heavy bottom pan and add ghee.
  • Stir the rolled oats and sauté them well till you get a faint aroma.
  • Add whole milk to the mixture and stir thoroughly.
  • Simmer on a low flame and cook till the oats become soft and mushy.
  • Once the oats and milk have reached the desired consistency, add the chopped dried nuts along with a pinch of saffron along with cardamom.
  • Simmer for a few more seconds, and then switch off the stovetop.
Oats Kheer (Indian oats recipe) garnished with saffron and pistachios.

Tips to make perfect Oats Kheer

  • Whether you are making this yummy and healthy oats kheer in an instant pot or stovetop, don’t let it boil too much as the kheer thickens a lot as it cools.
  • You can add more milk to adjust the consistency before serving.
  • If you are following a vegan diet, then substitute the whole milk with almond milk or another plant-based milk.

Do try this delicious and healthy recipe and let me know in the comments below!

More Indian Dessert Recipes

4.89 from 26 votes

Oats Kheer (Sweetened Oatmeal with Cardamom, Nuts & Raisins)

Oats Kheer, also known as Oats payasam, is a delicious twist of using oats in Indian dessert recipes. Made with oats, milk, sugar, and cardamom, this healthy dessert can be cooked in the pressure cooker or on the stovetop.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

Garnish options

Instructions 

In Instant Pot

  • Sanitize the instant pot thoroughly by cleaning all the parts. 
  • Heat the instant pot in saute mode. Add ghee and let it melt.
  • Add rolled oats. Stir and saute for 2 minutes until you get the aroma of roasted oats.
  • Add milk, water, sugar, saffron and cardamom. Press Cancel and close the lid with the vent in the sealing position.
  • Set to manual or pressure cook mode at high pressure for 1 minute. When the cooking time is done, then let the pressure release naturally.
  • Open the lid and stir the kheer. This kheer thickens as it cools.
  • Garnish with more saffron, nuts, and raisins to your liking. This Oats Kheer is delicious served hot or chilled. 

In stovetop

  • Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium heat. Add ghee to it and let it melt.
  • Add the rolled oats and sauté them well till you get the aroma of roasted oats.
  • Add water and whole milk to the pan and stir well.
  • Simmer on a low flame and cook till the oats become soft and mushy. Keep stirring at regular intervals.
  • Once the oats have reached the desired consistency, add the cardamom and roasted nuts, along with a pinch of saffron.
  • Simmer for 2 more minutes and then switch off the stovetop.
  • Enjoy the Oats Kheer.

Notes

Sanitize the instant pot thoroughly: the steel insert, lid, and sealing ring. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it. 
Sugar Substitute: Although I have not tried it myself, some readers have suggested that if using jaggery in place of sugar, then add it after pressure cooking (else the milk can curdle). 
Using steel-cut oats: Follow the same process and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
Roasted Nuts: If you don’t have already roasted nuts. Add 1 tbsp of ghee to the instant pot and sauté the nuts for about a minute. Then, follow the recipe. 
Consistency: This kheer thickens a lot as it cools. So you can add more milk to adjust the consistency before serving.
Vegan Variation: Substitute milk with almond milk or another plant-based milk.
Created: This recipe was created in a 6qt Instant Pot DUO60 Multi-use Programmable Pressure Cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 7gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 198IUCalcium: 151mgIron: 1mg

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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16 Comments

  1. This was exactly what I needed tonight, thank you! Comforting, sweet, easy to make.

    I subbed 50/50 full fat coconut milk and water, and topped with pan-simmered cinnamon apples and shredded coconut. Yummmm. I will definitely be doing more kheer-style oats from now on, this is so much better than my usual prep.

  2. I don’t cook my oats. I put them in the water and leave all. It’d in the fridge. Perfecto!

    1. Sure, that works great for overnight oats. For this recipe, I like to cook as it gives a creamier texture to the final dish.

    1. Hi Ami – I would suggest to add 2 green cardamom pods. You can crush the them with a mortar and pestle and then use in the recipe. Remove the outer covering and add the crushed seeds.

  3. Nice recipe. Perfect for a rainy morning. I made it with quick oats and 2% milk as that’s what I had on hand. Added raisins too. Came out well.
    Cardamom powder used 1/2 tsp. I think there’s a typo in the quantity.

  4. Soooo good! I saw this in the morning when I got up, put everything together in my instant pot, set it and went about my morning of exercising, yoga and showering. When I was ready, so was this delicious kheermeal! Thank you for a fresh take on the “same old same old”!

  5. Thanks for this wonderful content. It was very insightful and enjoyable. You have amazing pictures. I have bookmarked your website and will be checking from time to time for more contents. Love anything with chocolate. Thanks a lot for this great information.

  6. Fantastic!!! I love Kheer but don’t eat rice, so this oat version just makes my day! It turned out great in the instant pot and I used almond milk and half and half. I think I will use freshly ground cardamom next time to get a richer flavor than powder, but it is good either way. Thank you for all the wonderful Indian recipes. It has made homemade Indian food possible by using the instant pot.

    1. Hi Sarah – So glad to hear you enjoyed the oats kheer and that the blog has make it possible to make indian food at home!