Are you a huge oatmeal fan like me looking for an amazing quick and easy instant pot oatmeal recipe that blends sweet and savory elements for a tasty, unique delicious breakfast option?
Breakfast arguably is the most important meal of the day. If you're looking for an easy and fast breakfast idea then you have to try instant pot oatmeal! This recipe is quick and easy to make, and it's a great way to start your day.
Oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfast foods for a good reason. It's filling and relatively easy to make. However, if you're short on time in the morning, the traditional stovetop method can seem like a hassle. That's where the instant pot comes in.
With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious breakfast that will keep you going until lunchtime. Simply add your oats and water to the instant pot, set the timer, and let it do its thing. In no time at all, you'll have a piping hot breakfast that's ready to eat.
And clean-up is a breeze since there's only one pot to wash. So if you're looking for an easy and delicious way to start your day, look no further than instant pot steel cut oats.
This oatmeal recipe is very basic on the surface, but there is just so much more than meets the eye here, as it's highly flavorful due to a few ingredient combinations as well as simple flavor-enhancing techniques.
The savory flavors and notes from the cheddar cheese surprisingly work well with sweet elements like cinnamon and piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar) which results in a delicious bowl of oatmeal.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe
- Steel-Cut Oats
- Ghee or butter
- Almond Milk
- Water
- Piloncillo
- Cinnamon Stick
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Dried Cranberries
How to cook steel cut oats in an instant pot (step by step)
Step 1: Toast the oats
Using saute (high setting) function and add ghee/butter or coconut oil once the display reads “hot.” Toast oats one minute stirring as needed
Step 2: Add cinnamon sticks and piloncillo
Mix in both the cinnamon and piloncillo with the oats and let heat for 30 seconds then cancel saute.
Step 3: Cook the oats
Add the water and almond milk plus a pinch of salt. Give the mixture a good stir and make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot. Close lid and high pressure cook for 4 minutes. Then use natural pressure release for 10 minutes and quick release for the remaining pressure.
Stir cooked oats and taste for flavor. Feel free to add more sweetener like maple syrup if needed. Add your toppings of choice.
Serving Suggestions
The oatmeal will be already sweetened by the piloncillo. If you’re using brown sugar instead, you’ll add it now to sweeten. At this point you can add your desired favorite toppings.
It may sound odd, but I like to add dried cranberries, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and my favorite chipotle hot sauce. You might prefer chia seeds or fresh fruit oatmeal toppings. For other ideas check out my guide for making oatmeal.
What Does This Oatmeal Taste Like
The ingredient mix on paper looks like a bad idea, but trust me when I say they work, and they work well! The piloncillo adds pure brown sugar flavor with notes of molasses. The cheese adds some additional saltiness that balances well with the tart cranberries.
Not to be outdone, but the hot sauce adds some heat to cut through some of the sweetness. All of these work together surprisingly well and somehow even avoids overpowering the nuttiness from the oats.
Steel Cut Oats Cooking Tips
- Toasting the oats is an underrated flavor-enhancing technique. The nutty oat flavor is intensified by toasting in the ghee.
- If you skip the toasting step you can alternatively add a ¼ teaspoon salt with the water and milk.
- Toasting overall is a great way to release flavor from your ingredients. I like to quickly heat the cinnamon stick before adding the liquids.
- For a more creamy texture add more milk whether its almond milk or even soy milk for you non dairy milk folk.
- In order to avoid the dreaded burn message, make sure you include enough liquid ingredients including either water or milk options.
- For a more filling protein-based steel cut oatmeal recipe add peanut butter or almond butter.
- Substitute coconut milk if almond milk is not available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is piloncillo?
Also known as panelo or Mexican brown sugar, piloncillo is raw pure cane sugar and very prominent in Mexican cooking hence the nickname. Because its unprocessed it has a golden brown color and rich, complex flavor.
What other toppings work well?
Nuts, fruit (dried or fresh), yogurt, coconut flakes, etc.
Can I Use Old Fashioned Oats?
Yes old-fashioned oats can work. Just note you will get a different texture and the flavor won’t be as nutty. Old-fashioned oats require less water also. Oats to liquid ratio will be 2:3 vs. 2:4 for steel-cut.
Can You Make This Recipe on the Stove Top?
Yes you can. The steps are the same, but the cooking time will be a little longer.
For other oat-based breakfast recipes try these smoothies or oatmeal recipes:
Give this Instant Pot oatmeal recipe a try for a quick and filling breakfast. The oats cook in just three minutes and you can customize the toppings to your liking.
If you’re looking for an easy way to make delicious oatmeal, this is the perfect recipe for you. What are you waiting for? Get cooking!
If you make this instant pot oatmeal recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
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Equipment
- instant pot
Ingredients
- ½ tbsps ghee or butter
- 2 tbsps piloncillo or brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 2 cups almond milk unsweetened vanilla
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup dried Cranberries
Instructions
- Turn on Sauté button on your Instant Pot and set to High. Once display reads “Hot” add the ghee. Once ghee is melted add the oats and toast for 1 minute stirring as needed to heat all the oats.
- Add cinnamon stick and piloncillo and mix in well.
- Hit the Cancel button on the IP to turn off the heat. Add the almond milk, water and salt to the IP.
- Place the IP lid on, and make sure the steam release valve is sealed. Pressure cook for 4 minutes. When it’s done pressure cooking, let the steam naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Hit the quick release. After the float valve has gone down, remove the lid and very carefully stir to fully combine liquid and oatmeal. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Top with cheese and cranberries. Serve with hot sauce.
Notes
If you skip the toasting step you can alternatively add a ¼ teaspoon salt with the water and milk.
Toasting overall is a great way to release flavor from your ingredients. I like to quickly heat the cinnamon stick before adding the liquids.
Nutrition