Hearty Apple Spice Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats make the perfect easy, warm, and delicious breakfast for cold days. Just throw the ingredients in, set it and your tasty oats will be ready in no time!
chopped nuts, or fresh diced or sliced apples for garnish(optional, walnuts or pecans work well)
milk(enough to reach desired consistency, I use unsweetened almond milk)
sweetener, to taste(optional, I like to use maple syrup)
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
Add steel cut oats, applesauce, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and water to your Instant Pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
Lock the lid in place and make sure the steam release handle is closed. Set to manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Instant Pot will take roughly 10 minutes to build pressure, timer will start counting down after it has reached pressure.
After the time has ended, let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure. This will take roughly 20 minutes.
Once the pressure has been released naturally (you will know pressure has been released when the float valve has dropped back down), slowly unlock and remove the lid. Stir the oats so everything recombines.
Add the apples and, if using, raisins, and stir. Let sit for a minute or two so apples (and raisins) can warm up.
Add desired amount of milk and stir. (see note about milk below).
Add sweetener, to taste. Sprinkle nuts and/or fresh fruit on top for garnish, if using.
Stove Top Method:
Bring the 3 cups water to a boil.
Once boiling, add salt and the steel cut oats.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 - 25 minutes. Timing will depend on how soft you like your oats. Begin testing after 15 minutes. Stir often so oats do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
In the last few minutes of cooking, add applesauce, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well to combine.
Once oats have reached the desired texture, remove from heat and let stand covered for a couple of minutes.
Add the apples and, if using, raisins, and stir. Let sit for a minute or two so apples (and raisins) can warm up.
Add desired amount of milk and stir. (see note about milk below).
Add sweetener, to taste. Sprinkle nuts and/or fresh fruit on top for garnish, if using.
Notes
Oats will thicken as they cool off, add milk for a looser and creamier texture. I add ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk, but feel free to leave it out, or add more or less.
If you add raisins, you may find that it is sweet enough as-is. Taste the oats after everything has been stirred in and add as much or as little sweetener as you like. When I do add sweetener, I like to use maple syrup.
This recipes makes 4.5 cups of apple spice Instant Pot oats, and can be split into two large servings, 3 medium servings, or 4 small servings. For safety reasons, I do not recommend doubling this recipe. Make separate batches, if needed.
Oats can be pre-made, cooled off and then refrigerated. When ready to serve, warm up and add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
Nutrition info is for 1 serving (of 4) prepared without raisins, garnishes, and with no added milk. Click to learn how nutrition info is determined on this website.