Dessert

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Fruit and Nut Toppings Recipe

ByCharlotte Montgomery December 21, 2025December 21, 2025

Introduction

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats offer a quick and creamy start to your day with minimal effort. This versatile breakfast can be customized with a variety of delicious toppings and flavors, making it perfect for any palate. Enjoy a wholesome and comforting bowl that cooks perfectly every time in the Instant Pot.

A close-up view of cooked oatmeal inside a shiny silver metal pot with a black rim, showing thick, creamy, light brown oats mixed with milk, creating a soft and slightly lumpy texture throughout. A light brown wooden spoon is partially submerged in the oatmeal, angled diagonally from the right side of the pot, stirring the thick mixture. The pot sits on a white marbled surface that provides a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups steel cut oats
3 cups water
1 cup almond milk
1 small apple, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Chopped almonds to garnish
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup cooked steel cut oats (for various toppings)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 banana
Chia seeds to sprinkle
2 teaspoons raw cacao
2 tablespoons coconut milk
Chocolate chips and toasted coconut for garnish
2 tablespoons chia seed jam or jam of choice
1 teaspoon chopped peanuts
1 teaspoon chopped coconut flakes
1 tablespoon cashew butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
2 teaspoons maple syrup, divided
1 tablespoon chopped pecans
Sea salt flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Add the steel cut oats, water, and almond milk into the Instant Pot.
Step 2: Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 4 minutes and allow it to reach full pressure.
Step 3: Once cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure and open the lid.
Step 4: Stir the oats to combine and check consistency; add more almond milk if you prefer creamier oats.
Step 5: Prepare your desired toppings and mix-ins from the options below before serving.

Tips & Variations

Apple Cinnamon: Mix half the chopped apple and cinnamon into the oats, then top with the remaining apple, maple syrup, and chopped almonds.
Lemon Blueberry: Stir oats with lemon juice, blueberries, and maple syrup; garnish with extra berries and lemon zest.
Peanut Butter Banana: Mash half a banana into the oats with peanut butter and top with sliced banana and chia seeds.
Chocolate Coconut: Combine oats with raw cacao, coconut milk, and maple syrup; garnish with toasted coconut and chocolate chips.
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Stir in peanut butter, then top with your favorite jam, peanuts, and coconut flakes.
Maple Sea Salt: Mix cashew butter, vanilla powder, and part of the maple syrup into the oats; top with pecans, remaining syrup, sea salt flakes, and a splash of almond milk.
Use different plant-based milks or sweeteners to match your dietary preferences.

Storage

Store cooked steel cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of almond milk or water to loosen the consistency if needed. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.

How to Serve

Six glass containers of different sizes are placed on a white marbled surface. The top right square container holds oatmeal mixed with purple and blue berries that create a mottled texture on top. The top left small round container contains light beige oatmeal topped with brown nut pieces. Below it to the left, a round container holds darker brown chocolate oatmeal with visible small chunks. To the right of this one is a small round container filled with oatmeal topped with bright red berry compote and small white and brown nut pieces. At the bottom left, a large round container shows oatmeal with yellowish chunks of banana mixed throughout. Finally, a smaller round container to the right contains similar banana oatmeal with visible banana slices. The arrangements create a colorful display of textured oatmeals. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook steel cut oats in the Instant Pot without almond milk?

Yes, you can cook steel cut oats using just water if you prefer. Almond milk is added for creaminess and flavor but is not required for cooking.

How can I make my oats creamier?

Add extra almond milk or another plant-based milk after cooking and stir well. Cooking the oats with part milk and part water also helps achieve a creamier texture.

Charlotte Montgomery