Instant pot steel cut oats with peaches

An easy and delicious recipe for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Peaches. The perfect summer breakfast you can meal-prep in advance.

What Are Steel Cut Oats?

Steel cut oats, sometimes called Irish Oats are the groats of whole oats. The whole oat groat is then cut into smaller pieces (usually 2-3) to make a grain than can break down more easily. Because they are a whole grain and unprocessed they tend to take longer to cook (roughly 20-30 minutes).

What You Need for Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Steel Cut Oats – make sure you’re using regular steel cut oats and not quick-cooking steel cut or regular rolled oats

Liquid – you can use any kind of liquid including non-dairy milk, dairy milk or even water

Cinnamon – you can omit if you don’t like cinnamon but I find it balances out the flavor nicely.

Vanilla extract – for a hint of vanilla sweetness

Peaches – feel free to replace with any kind of fruit

Maple syrup – honey or other sweetener works well too.

Optional: 1/4-1/2 cup coconut cream – for a peaches and cream style oatmeal

How to Make Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

In an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker combine steel cut oats, liquid, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. Stir to combine. Secure lid, close vent and set Instant Pot to pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes. Let steam naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove lid and stir.

Add in peaches and maple syrup and stir so well-coated with oats. Secure lid and let peaches sit in oats on “keep warm” setting for 10 minutes. This will help the peaches break down and infuse flavor into the oatmeal. After 10 minutes remove lid and stir in coconut cream, if using.

Your Questions Answered

Can I use any fruit?

Yes! You can replace fresh peaches with any fresh or frozen fruit.

Can I use frozen fruit?

Absolutely. You may need to let it cook in the “keep warm” setting for a few extra minutes but you can use frozen fruit.

Why do I have to add the fruit at the end?

Add fruit before cooking the steel cut oats will lead to mushy fruit that will completely break down. It will still taste great but the texture might be a bit off.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely. If your Instant Pot can fit a bigger load you can absolutely double this recipe.

Can I use regular rolled oats?

I wouldn’t recommend it. Regular rolled oats cook pretty quickly so it’s really not worth making them in an Instant Pot. They’ll get pretty mushy if you try to use them in place of steel cut oats.

Can I slow-cook my steel cut oats?

Yes! You can use the slow cooker setting in your Instant Pot. I recommend slow-cooking on high for about 3 hours. If you’re using an actual slow cooker I have full instructions HERE.

Can I use any pressure cooker?

In theory, yes. I personally own the Instant Pot so I’ve only tested this recipe with the Instant Pot but if your pressure cooker works similarly you can use the same instructions.

Freezing Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

When it comes to storing your steel cut oatmeal I either store in the fridge for up to one week or I oftentimes will store in the freezer for an easy meal-prepped breakfast recipe.

When it comes to freezing steel cut oatmeal my preferred method is to freeze them in silicone muffin cups. I divide the oatmeal into 12 silicone cups and freeze for 4 hours. Then I remove the silicone cups and place in a ziploc bag to store for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to eat I’ll pop 2 or 3 in a microwave safe bowl, pour a little milk on top and microwave until they’ve thawed.