Name: Instant Pot Oatmeal
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Gluten-Free
Ingredients: 1 cup steel-cut oats; 3 cups water or milk (plant-based or regular); Pinch of salt; Optional toppings

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Instant Pot Oatmeal is the ultimate tasty timesaver for busy mornings or weekend brunch! Make the perfect oatmeal with ease and delicious flavor thanks to this yummy oatmeal recipe. This recipe requires only 2 main ingredients. The oatmeal comes out thick, creamy, and delicious. Add your favorite toppings and flavors for a totally customizable bowl of oats!

What You Will Love About This Recipe

This Instant Pot oatmeal is quick and easy to make.
There are only 3 easy-to-find and affordable ingredients in this simple recipe.
The Instant Pot is an amazing tool that makes oatmeal easier than ever before!
No need to turn on the stovetop. No need to boil water.
For dessert, make these Oatmeal Bars!
With this easy recipe, you can make traditional steel-cut oats much faster than the usual methods.
Instant Pot Oatmeal is perfect for holiday breakfasts and weekend brunches.
Everyone in the family will want a bite of this creamy and delicious oatmeal!
This flavor is totally your own to customize with the toppings you love.
Top with sliced bananas, fresh berries, chopped nuts, peanut butter, and more.
This recipe is gluten-free friendly, dairy-free friendly, and vegan-friendly. It contains no added sugar.
Check out this Peanut Butter Oatmeal for another tasty breakfast idea!

Instant Pot Advantages

The Instant Pot has several advantages!

First, the Instant Pot is hands-free. Once the oatmeal is cooking, there is no need to monitor it. No need to boil water.

Feel free to make a bigger batch. The Instant Pot can make more oatmeal than a regular saucepan.

Use the Instant Pot to keep oatmeal warm as you serve it. This is great for holidays, feeding a crowd, or family gatherings.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full Instant Pot oatmeal recipe.

Steel-cut oats are the best choice for this delicious recipe. They are made from groats that are lightly toasted and then cut into tiny pieces. They have the right scratch content and size for making a smooth and satisfying oatmeal texture.

For an option without oats, make this Keto Oatmeal!

The liquid in this rich oatmeal can be either plant-based milk or water. Water is a great way to keep the calories low and the flavor nice, light, and oaty. On the other hand, plant-based milk can add a little more flavor and creaminess.

Choose your favorite variety of non-dairy milk to add a richer and more creamy flavor to the Instant Pot oats. Just be aware that sweetened non-dairy milk can add a more sugary flavor than expected. If you like your sweetness nice and light, stick with unsweetened or plain non-dairy milk. My favorite is unsweetened almond milk for an ultra-creamy texture.

Just a touch of salt makes a huge difference. Salt helps to highlight the earthy and toasty flavors of the oats. Choose fine-grain sea salt or kosher salt for a natural seasoning option.

The final touch is the optional toppings. While this oatmeal is delicious enough to eat plain, you can get creative and add whatever flavorful fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, or sweeteners you like to finish this dish with flair!

Taste & Texture

Instant Pot Oatmeal is absolutely out of this world! It has a great oaty texture and tons of rich creamy flavor.

When you top it with fruits, nuts, and sweet spices you have the perfect easy comfort food for any time of day!

How To Make

Step 1

To start, add all the ingredients (except the toppings) to the Instant Pot.

Step 2

Close the Instant Pot lid with the valve set to the sealing position. Select the manual or pressure cook function. Set the timer for 4 minutes.

Step 3

Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure and cook the oats for the set time.

Step 4

Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick pressure release by moving the valve to the venting position.

Step 5

Once the pressure has fully released, carefully open the Instant Pot lid.

Step 6

Give the oatmeal a good stir to combine everything and allow it to thicken further.

Step 7

Serve the Instant Pot oatmeal hot in bowls and top with your favorite toppings!

Expert Tips

If needed, use certified gluten-free steel-cut oats.

Do not use rolled oats. They will become too mushy in the pressure cooker.

Always double-check that the vent valve is sealed before cooking. This holds the steam in and is the key to quick, tender, and luscious oatmeal.

If you are serving this Instant Pot oatmeal at your next big brunch try leaving it in the instant pot with the sauté lid on the inner pot and the pot set to keep warm. This way the oats stay hot while your guests help themselves!

Delicious Topping Combinations

Try one of these yummy ideas for how to combine flavors on top of this easy Instant Pot oatmeal.

Nuts and Honey: Keep it simple by sprinkling a few handfuls of mixed nuts and honey. Try chopped toasted walnuts, cashews, and almonds with a nice drizzle of honey and you will fall immediately in love!
Trail Mix: For a summer camp-inspired twist, top this oatmeal with raisins, chopped peanuts, cacao nibs, and plain granola. This is a combo that kids of all ages go nuts for!
Monkey Madness: Use plenty of banana slices, sweet granola, and a drizzle of melted peanut butter for a wild yet delicious bowl of oatmeal.
Chocolate Lover: Indulge in something decadent with cacao nibs, chopped dates, and a little sprinkle of cocoa powder. This is a rich blend of flavors that will leave you wanting more!
For a savory idea, try this Savory Oatmeal!

Steel Cut Oats Versus Rolled Oats

There are several key differences between steel-cut oats and rolled oats.

Texture: Steel-cut oats have a coarser, chewier texture compared to rolled oats. They are made by cutting whole oat groats into smaller pieces, resembling small pellets. On the other hand, rolled oats are made by steaming and rolling oat groats, resulting in flat, flake-like oats.
Cooking Time: Steel-cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats. Due to their dense texture, they require a longer cooking time to soften and become tender. Typically, steel-cut oats take about 20 to 30 minutes to cook on the stovetop. Rolled oats, on the other hand, cook much faster and can be ready in as little as 5-10 minutes.
Nutritional Profile: Both steel-cut oats and rolled oats have similar nutritional profiles as they come from the same whole grain. They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, providing both soluble and insoluble fiber. Oats are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The main difference lies in their glycemic index (GI) values. Steel-cut oats have a lower GI than rolled oats, which means they are digested more slowly, resulting in a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream.
Usage: Steel-cut oats are often preferred by those who enjoy a chewier texture in their oatmeal. They work well in recipes like overnight oats, porridge, and baked goods where a heartier texture is desired. Rolled oats, on the other hand, are more versatile and commonly used in various forms like instant oats, quick oats, or old-fashioned oats. They can be cooked quickly and are commonly used in oatmeal, granola bars, cookies, and other recipes.

How to Serve & Store

Enjoy this lush and oat porridge while it is warm, topped with all your favorite add-ins. It is the ideal morning meal for weekends or any time that you need a little warm oaty comfort!

If you are serving this for the whole family or at a holiday brunch, try making a topping bar. Fill small bowls and squeeze bottles with all the best oatmeal toppings and let everyone build their own personal blend!

This oatmeal is also great with a slice of toasted Oat Bread!

To store the oatmeal, allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store this oatmeal in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheat the oats in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. You may need to add a teaspoon or two of extra liquid to help receive the texture of the oatmeal and always stir the mixture well before serving!

Equipment Needed

Instant Pot – An Instant Pot or comparable electric pressure cooker is the key to the speed and ease of this oat recipe. Make sure your appliance is clean and set up in a flat, dry area before cooking.

Serving Bowls – Having the right bowl is important to the looks and presentation of this dish. These oats are hot, so choose a nice thick ceramic or stone bowl for serving. Light-colored bowls make bright toppings really pop!