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While writing The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook, I was juggling two kids under the age of 5, and needed an easy (hands-off) breakfast. That’s when I fell in love with cooking steel-cut oats in the pressure cooker!

The process is significantly easier than the traditional method. Instead of standing over the stove top stirring, you can simply press a button and walk away. The oats won’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and the machine will turn off when it’s done, making it perfect even if you get distracted in the morning.

Be sure to follow the tips below for delicious results on your first try. If you make substitutions right away, things can go wrong. (No one wants a burn error before breakfast.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“This is our go-to recipe, we’ve been returning to it for years. I set them up the night before and use the Delay Start feature on the IP. Perfect oats every time.” -Azure

Instant pot steel cut oats served with blueberries and sliced banana.

What are Steel-Cut Oats?

Steel-cut oats are made from oat groats (the inner part of oat kernels) that have been chopped into smaller pieces with a steel blade. They are less processed than rolled oats, which are steamed and then flattened.

This variety of oats has a chewier texture and nuttier flavor, so it’s ideal for people who find oatmeal to be “mushy” in texture.

Because they are less processed, steel-cut oats require a longer cooking time. They take about 30 minutes on the stovetop, and you’ll need to watch the pot and stir them occasionally to prevent them from burning to the bottom.

The Instant Pot makes things easier, since there’s no stirring or watching involved. The process is not necessarily faster, but it’s definitely easier.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Steel-cut oats. One cup of steel-cut oats will produce approximately 2.5 to 3 cups of cooked oatmeal. Since cooked oatmeal is easy to store and reheat, you can prepare as much as you want to eat for the next 4 to 5 days.
  • Water. You’ll need 2 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of steel-cut oats you plan to cook. Do not replace the water with milk. Milk will scorch to the bottom of your Instant Pot, triggering a burn error. Almost every time someone encounters a burn error, it’s because they tried to substitute some of the water with milk or creamer.

While I don’t recommend cooking with milk, you can add it to the oats when the cooking cycle is complete to make them creamier. The oats will continue to absorb the liquid as they cool, so adding extra milk is an easy way to loosen the texture when serving or reheating them.

You can also flavor the oats with maple syrup or cinnamon right before serving. Sugar can cause a burn error in a pressure cooker, so it’s best to add it after the cooking process is complete.

steel cut oats and water labeled on a white surface.

Cooking Steel-Cut Oats in the Instant Pot

Step 1:

In the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot, add 2 cups of steel-cut oats and 5 cups of water. You can also add a pinch of salt or a splash of vanilla extract, if desired. 

Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and move the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. 

Use the Manual or Pressure Cook button on your machine to cook at high pressure for 4 minutes. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the pot to pressurize, so the machine will display ‘ON’ until then. 

water added to steel cut oats and the lid showing that the pot is pressurized.

Step 2:

Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure naturally release for at least 15 minutes. This means you don’t have to touch the Instant Pot until the screen reads L0:15. 

It’s okay if you let it sit for a little longer, too. (The Instant Pot is fantastic for distracted or busy cooks.)

The floating valve in the lid should drop when your natural pressure release is done. If it hasn’t, move the steam release valve to the “Venting” position to ensure all of the pressure is released from the pot.

Safety Tip

Oats tend to create foam and starchy water as they cook, so never perform a quick release after cooking them. Hot, starchy water could shoot out of the valve if the pot still contains a lot of pressure, which is why a natural release is important. Additionally, it allows the oats to finish cooking without burning to the bottom of your pot.

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Instant pot showing that it has naturally released for 15 minutes.

Step 3:

Once the floating valve in the lid has dropped, it’s safe to remove the lid. You may see some water sitting on top of the cooked oats, but once you stir it, the water will incorporate with the oats, giving them a creamy texture. 

As the oats cool, they will thicken up slightly. Loosen the texture by adding a splash of milk or water. This will also help them cool down faster. 

steel cut oats after cooking in the Instant pot and stirred with a spoon.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Instant Pot steel-cut oats warm, topped with your favorite ingredients.

Drizzle them with peanut butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter you love. Add a touch of maple syrup or honey for sweetness, or top with fresh fruit like sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.

You can add chia seeds, pecans, or walnuts for crunch, or stir in some ground flax seeds to make your breakfast more filling. If you want to add a pinch of ground cinnamon, flaked coconut, or chocolate chips, the topping ideas are endless!

plain steel cut oats served in two white bowls with a spoon.

Storage Tips

Cooked steel-cut oats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They make an easy gluten-free breakfast idea that you can enjoy warm or cold.

Oatmeal tends to firm up when chilled, so you may need to add an extra splash of milk to it in the morning to help loosen the texture again. They can be quickly reheated in the microwave or a small saucepan on the stovetop.

Steel Cut Oats Instant Pot FAQs

Can I cook steel-cut oats in an 8-quart Instant Pot?

Yes, but since the pot is larger, you can cook this amount of oats and water for 3 minutes instead of 4. The pot will take longer to pressurize and de-pressurize in this case, so the oats should finish cooking when the natural release is complete.

Can I use a 3-quart Instant Pot?

Yes, but since you never want to fill an Instant Pot more than halfway full with starchy water, be sure to cut this recipe in half for the smaller-sized machine.

Are steel-cut oats better than rolled oats?

Steel-cut oats are less processed than rolled oats, which is why they require longer cooking times. They are also thought to be slower to digest, so they may have a lower glycemic index compared to quicker cooking oats.

instant pot steel cut oats with berries and banana on top.

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (No Burn Error!)

4.78 from 158 votes
If you're like me and once felt intimidated by the pressure cooker, these Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats are a game-changer. Cooking steel-cut oats in the Instant Pot makes the process almost completely hands-off, so you won't have to watch the stove. That means you can focus on other tasks while your breakfast cooks to perfection. (Without burning to the bottom of the pot!)
prep1 min cook4 mins Pressurize Time:25 mins total30 mins
Servings:6 servings
PrintRate

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups steel cut oats (certified gluten-free, if necessary)
  • 5 cups water
  • pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine the steel-cut oats and water in the bowl of a 6-quart Instant Pot and give them a stir. (If using a different size machine, please see the notes for modifications.) Secure the lid and turn the steam release valve at the top to "Sealing." 
  • Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button to cook at high pressure for 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will read "ON" as it comes to pressure, which may take about 10 minutes. When the floating valve in the lid pops up, you'll know the pot is pressurized and the countdown will begin.
  • When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 15 minutes. (The timer on the Instant Pot will remain on after the cooking cycle to let you know how long it's been kept warm unless you press the OFF button. I like to keep it on for the timer function.) It's okay if you let them sit in the pot longer, too!
  • Once 15 minutes have passed, turn the steam release valve to "venting" to release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid and stir the oats to incorporate any water that has risen to the top. The oats will thicken as they cool; feel free to add extra water or your favorite milk to loosen the texture.
  • Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Leftover oats can be stored in individual containers in the fridge for up to a week, for a fast breakfast on the go. 

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for roughly 1 cup of cooked oatmeal, assuming you get 6 cups from this recipe. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
Milk Note: Don’t replace the water with dairy milk when cooking oats in your Instant Pot. It can scorch to the bottom of your pot and trigger a “hot” or “burn” error on your machine. You can always add milk after cooking for extra creaminess.
Use a 3-quart Instant Pot: Cut the recipe in half to make sure you don’t fill the pot more than halfway full. The cooking time should remain the same.
Use an 8-quart Instant Pot: Reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes, since the pot will take longer to pressurize and de-pressurize.
Update Note: This recipe was updated in May 2024 with more tips and new photos. The only change is adding an optional pinch of salt and reducing the natural release to 15 minutes instead of 20. 

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 10mg | Fiber: 5g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2.2mg
Author: Megan Gilmore
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot steel cut oats
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Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. I halved the recipe for my 3-qt Instant pot and got the burn warning just before the end of the cooking phase. I turned it off and set a 20-minute timer. It was a little overcooked on the bottom, but easy to mix in, not really burned.

    The button hadn’t dropped by 20 minutes, but I think it was just stuck from the oatmeal starch. It fell down when I lightly pressed on it. I actually think less than 20 minutes would have been better as it was no longer piping hot. Maybe advise shorter release time for smaller pots?

    Reply

  2. I have a question: I’m still new with the IP and I want to know how to make this for 2 or 3 servings, if possible. I’m also using a 6 qt, but I’m only 1 person and don’t want to eat this every day for 8 days. If I just change the ratio using 3 cups of water (the minimum) I would use 1.2 cups of oats (more than I want, but I could live with that). If this is the correct way to reduce it, how does this affect the speed of cooking? My other worry about Instant pot is that the liquid ratios don’t seem to change whether it’s a food that absorbs very little liquid or a food that absorbs all or most.

    Reply

  4. Mistakenly put steel oats and water in the mail part of the instant pot. Is there anyway to clean it or is it history.

    Reply

  5. So easy with excellent results! I made this breakfast topped with fresh berries for overnight guests and they thought it was wonderful – even the self-proclaimed oatmeal hater went for a second bowl! Thank you for the easiest way to perfect steel cut oats. 🙂

    Reply

  6. This actually takes longer than just making the oatmeal on a stovetop, while adding extra steps and complexity. Why bother? The instant pot is supposed to save you time.

    Reply

    1. Did you let the pot rest for 20 minutes after it beeped? The screen should read L0:20 before you move the steam release valve to venting. Or, it’s possible you didn’t move the steam release valve to “sealing” before you got started? Be sure to watch my YouTube video if you want a quick overview of using the Instant Pot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAzjUvJi3x0

      Reply

  9. I have made this twice and both times 4 minutes wasn’t long enough. In fact the natural release didn’t even make it to 20 min. And water didn’t absorb all. So I’ve increased my time to 6 min and it makes it hotter and absorbed all the liquid. I also used part almond milk and it was just as good. Thanks for all your recipes and blogging!

    Reply