Instant Pot Oatmeal

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/2/21
instant pot oatmeal with almonds, honey and fruit
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 1 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Pressure Build/Release: 20 mins
Total: 26 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 bowls
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
152 Calories
3g Fat
27g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 152
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 43mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 146mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Instant Pot oatmeal is not only great for busy weekday mornings when you want a hearty, effortless breakfast, but it is also great for healthy meal prep. Any leftovers can be refrigerated in glass or plastic containers for up to five days. To reheat, microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, until warm then add milk, sweeteners, and toppings. You can also freeze the oatmeal in individual portions and reheat it in the microwave.

The best part about cooking oatmeal in the Instant Pot is that it is a "set it and forget it" meal where you don't have to worry about the oats burning or the pot boiling over. Cooking steel-cut oats using the traditional stovetop method can take up to 30 to 40 minutes of attentive cooking time. With the Instant Pot, the cooking time is cut down to just hands-off five minutes, with a few minutes of preheating and a few minutes to allow the pressure to release.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Instant Pot Oatmeal ingredients
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Combine the steel cut oats, water, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of your pressure cooker and stir.

    Oatmeal in the Instant Pot
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and using the manual setting cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. After hitting the start button, it will take several minutes for the pressure cooker to preheat before the cooking timer will begin. 

    Pressure cooker set to five minutes
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Once the cooking time elapses, allow the pressure to naturally release. The float valve will drop when the pressure has been fully released. Note: It will take several minutes for the pressure to release naturally. Do not attempt to open during this time. 

    Instant Pot pressure release valve
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Once the float valve has dropped, unlock and open the lid. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard.

    Instant Pot Oatmeal
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. To serve, spoon oatmeal into bowls and top with a drizzle of milk or cream. 

    Instant Pot Oatmeal in a bowl
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Top with your favorite sweeteners or toppings.

    Instant Pot Oatmeal
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Tips

Remember these safety tips when using your Instant Pot:

  • Do not lean over or place hands, face, or unprotected skin over the steam release valve/handle or float valve while the cooker is in operation.
  • Do not cover or obstruct the steam release valve/handle and the float valve with a cloth or other objects. Obstructing can create a safety issue and may cause injury.
  • Do not touch the metal portion of the lid when the appliance is in operation.
  • Do not force the lid open when the float valve is still in the popped-up position.
  • Do not fill the inner pot higher than the max fill line as indicated on the inner pot.
  • Intended for countertop use only. Keep the appliance on a stable surface and do not place it on a hot stove.
  • Do not use with an extension cord. The cord is intentionally short to reduce the hazards resulting from it being grabbed by children or becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. 

Recipe Variations

There are a number of ways to top your oatmeal. Ideas include:

  • Milk, cream, or yogurt
  • Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey
  • Fresh fruit such as banana slices, diced apple, or berries
  • Dried fruit such as raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricot
  • Nuts and seeds