Instant Pot Oatmeal

Making oatmeal in an Instant Pot is an easy and convenient way to make a delicious and nutritious breakfast! Instant Pot Oatmeal is made in a fraction of the time it takes for stovetop or microwave methods. Plus, you can add all kinds of mix-ins to customize your oatmeal for any time of day. Whether you want something sweet like honey and dried fruit or savory like bacon and cheese, this quick cooking method makes customized oatmeal a snap!

Pressure cooker oatmeal is the best way to make the creamiest rolled oats oatmeal.

This recipe works for any pressure cooker between 5 and 8 quarts, and it's the quickest way to make a healthy oatmeal, next to homemade instant oatmeal.

Half and half or cream can be used to enhance the creamy texture that results from preparing rolled oats in the pressure cooker.

Why You Need To Make Oatmeal in the Instant Pot

• Pressure cooker oatmeal is super quick- no more standing by the pot waiting for the oats to cook. 
• The creamy oatmeal texture makes it much more enjoyable than stovetop oatmeal, and you can customize it to your own tastes and preferences. 
• It’s an easy way to make healthy bowl of oatmeal, as you can control what ingredients and spices go into it. 
• You can make enough oatmeal for several servings in one batch, which saves time if you need multiple portions or have a family to feed.
• It's a great way and quite possibly, the easiest way to meal prep and make enough oats for a few mornings of delicious breakfast

Ingredients Needed for this Recipe

Get more info on everything listed here in the recipe card at the bottom of the post

• butter
• rolled oats
• water
• salt
• heavy cream- you can swap this out for half and half if desired

How to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal

Rub butter all over the bottom and up the sides of the inner pot of the Instant Pot to grease it. There will still be chunks left, leave them to melt into the pot. 

Add rolled oats, water, salt and cream to the pot and give a gentle stir to mix.

If adding cinnamon stick, diced apples, etc., do so now. (This does not include toppings).

Cover the lid, use the manual setting mode and set for 3 minutes at high pressure. (Add an additional minute of cooking time if using steel cut oats.)

Allow pot of oatmeal to naturally release pressure and turn off the 'keep warm' element as soon as possible.

After the pressure has somewhat released, you can carefully release the rest by opening the valve, if desired.

Open the lid away from your face, and give the oatmeal a light stir.

Serve oatmeal as desired, with desired toppings.

Storage

Oatmeal will keep in the fridge, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 to 5 days. I do not recommend trying to freeze your oatmeal because the texture will change drastically when thawing.

Tips and Variations

• If you don't want to use butter to grease the inner pot of the pressure cooker, you can use a different cooking oil of choice or some coconut oil. This is an essential step as it helps prevent your oats from sticking to the pot. 
• Stick to using water when cooking the oats. I know it's tempting to use milk, but milk will scald in the Instant Pot and you may even trigger a burn message. If you really want the creaminess, you can use the optional splash of heavy cream or half and half to really give the Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe that creamy factor. 
• Make sure to stir the oat mixture gently before locking the lid. 
• If you don't have heavy cream or half and half, you can try a splash of milk. Coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or regular cow's milk to your cup of oats and see how creamy they get. 
• If meal prepping, you can store leftovers as individual portions so getting breakfast together in the morning with your favorite oatmeal toppings becomes even easier.
• Be very careful when touching the pressure release valve. The steam will be burning hot when it releases from the pressure cooker. I like to make sure the cooker isn't sitting under anything, like my kitchen cabinets as it releases steam. I also toss a tea towel or kitchen towel over it to help absorb the steam and make sure I don't accidentally burn my face as it releases. It's easier to toss the towel on there and manually turn the valve that way too, without fear of getting burnt.

What kind of oats can I use in the Instant Pot? 

We used rolled oats, or old fashioned oats, but you can use steel cut oats. However, if you choose to use steel-cut oats to make some steel cut oatmeal, you'll need to add an extra cup of water for your Instant Pot steel cut oats.

Old-fashioned oats, or rolled oats, are thicker and take longer to cook. Instant oats are thin flakes of oat groats that have been steamed and flattened.

They cook more quickly than old fashioned oats but can be mushy if cooked too long. They'd require even less cook time.

Just take a note that I haven't tested this recipe using instant oats, so if you choose to do so, start with minimal cooking time. 

What toppings can I add? 

Toppings are things we add to the top of the oats after we've removed them from the cooker and have transferred them to the bowl. You can add any of your favorite toppings to the oatmeal.

Try some chocolate chips, a dollop of peanut butter or almond butter, fresh fruit, or other simple ingredients like a drizzle of honey or a drizzle of maple syrup (pure maple syrup, if you can) on top.

You could even add a sprinkle of brown sugar to sweeten up the dish. Did you know you can make your own homemade brown sugar- never run out again!

What other mixins can I add? 

I like to use a cinnamon stick or some diced apples. Additionally, you can get creative with add in flavors, such as cinnamon stick, vanilla bean or vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice for the fall, star anise, nutmeg, and even fruits and nuts.  

You can also try different toasted nuts or seeds such as sliced almonds, crushed walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. for added crunch and flavor.

Add a sprinkle of hemp hearts for extra protein. Or flaxseed meal for an even healthier alternative!

If you're looking for the perfect breakfast that will fill everyone's bellies, this easy Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe is sure to check off that list.

This recipe is perfect for any huge oatmeal fan and anybody looking for an easier way to make oatmeal instead of manning the stovetop waiting on a bowl of warm oatmeal.

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