Name: Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 cup gluten-free steel cut oats (use regular for non-GF); 2 cups water; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or to taste); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and diced small; Pinch of sea salt; 1-2 teaspoons vegan butter, optional – see recipe notes (or real butter, ghee, etc. for non-vegan)

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If you are looking for a quick and hearty breakfast, these delicious Instant Pot steel cut oats can be on the table in a matter of minutes!

It has been subzero here in Alaska for days... we're all freezing! When it gets this cold out, you need hot meals. Delicious meals that are hearty and filling, like this Mexican Black Bean Soup or this Instant Pot White Chili.

That's why we've been starting our day off with a bowl of this cinnamon apple steel cut oats.

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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

If you've never had steel cut oats before, they have a chewy texture and a nutty taste. They are much hardier than rolled oats. Rolled oats are softer, and overall, take less time to cook than steel cut oats.

Normally, on the stove top, steel cut oats take about 25-30 to cook. Thankfully, pressure cooking using the Instant Pot cuts down on the time cooking time significantly. It takes a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure (about 5 minutes when using my 6-quart), but once it does, the cooking time takes a total of 10 minutes.

For busy people, or especially for busy parents, getting a hearty and nutritious breakfast on the table in such a small amount of time is a BIG win.

Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats

You do not have to use gluten-free steel cut oats in this recipe if you are not gluten-free. 3 out of the 4 members of my family have to eat gluten-free, which is why we use gluten-free.

I use the GF Harvest brand of gluten-free steel cut oats, and purchase them through Amazon; however, if you live in the continental U.S., you can order directly from the company (their shipping fees to Alaska are crazy, which is why I order through Amazon and use Prime).

GF Harvest also sells gluten-free oatmeal, gluten-free rolled oats, and gluten-free quick cooking oats. Everything, so far, from them that I've tried has been excellent.

How to Make Steel Cut Oats in Instant Pot:

In the bowl of the Instant Pot, combine all of the ingredients.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
When the Instant Pot is done cooking, carefully use a wooden spoon (or another utensil) to flip the vent to quick release the remaining pressure.
Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and stir the contents together.
Serve immediately. Eat as is or top with more maple syrup.

Recipe FAQ Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Apple

Do steel cut oats reheat well? Yes, they do! Just pop a bowl full in the microwave and reheat until they are your optimal temperature. If they become too thick for your liking, simply thin them out with a little more water.
Can I double or even triple this recipe? Absolutely! As long as your Instant Pot is big enough to handle the amount you're wanting to cook. A good rule of thumb is to not fill the Instant Pot bowl more than half way full. This will leave enough room for the steel cut oats to expand as they cook.
Can I omit the maple syrup from the recipe or use another sweetener in its place? For sure. Leave the maple syrup out altogether, or substitute another sweetener in its place. You can personalize this recipe however you need to.

Making steel cut oats in the Instant Pot is so easy! I hope your family enjoys these apple steel cut oats as much as my family does!
xoxo,
Mēgan

Other gluten-free breakfast recipes you might try:

Gluten-Free Quiche {also dairy-free} from Allergy Free Alaska
Grab & Go Gluten-Free Breakfast Wrap from Cotter Crunch

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats Recipe:

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

If you are looking for a quick and hearty breakfast, these delicious Instant Pot steel cut oats can be on the table in a matter of minutes!

Ingredients

1 cup gluten-free steel cut oats (use regular for non-GF)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and diced small
Pinch of sea salt
1-2 teaspoons vegan butter, optional – see recipe notes (or real butter, ghee, etc. for non-vegan)

Instructions

In the bowl of the Instant Pot, combine the gluten-free steel cut oats, water, pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, diced apple, and vegan butter.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the steam release valve is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
When the Instant Pot is done cooking, carefully use a wooden spoon to flip the vent to quick release the remaining pressure.
When the pressure is released completely (check the sealing valve to confirm it's not longer pressurized), remove the lid from the Instant Pot and stir the contents together.
Serve immediately. Eat as is or top with more maple syrup.

Notes

You do not need to use gluten-free steel cut oats to make this recipe. If you are not gluten-free, simply use regular steel cut oats.

Maple syrup is my sweetener of choice in these steel cut oats; however, you can easily substitute something else (coconut sugar, brown sugar, etc.) and sweeten to taste.

Why do you add vegan butter to this recipe? I know it might seem odd to some, but the vegan butter adds a wonderful rich flavor. If you don't want to use it, simply omit it.

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