7 Healthy Steel Cut Oats Recipes

7 healthy steel cut oats recipes that are easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge or freezer for easy breakfasts. Plus instructions on how to cook steel cut oats in the Instant Pot, slow cooker or on the stovetop.

Steel cut oats are my all time favorite meal prep breakfast…they are so incredibly easy to prep ahead and re-heat through the week!

And unlike rolled oats or instant oatmeal, steel cut oats don’t get mushy…they hold a nice, chewy texture which I enjoy a heck of a lot more.

Today I’m sharing seven delicious steel cut oats recipes so we will never be bored with our breakfasts!

This post covers a LOT, so click the links below to be taken directly to that section!

• Equipment and ingredients
• How to cook steel cut oats
• How to store your steel cut oats
• Steel cut oats FAQ
• 7 Steel Cut Oats Recipes
• Jump straight to the printable recipe card

Equipment and ingredients

• 6 quart Instant Pot
• 5 quart Slow Cooker
• Paderno 4 L pot (similar to this one)
• Steel cut oats (do not use ‘quick cooking’ steel cut oats)
• Maple syrup

How to cook steel cut oats

Alright, friends, pictured above, you have three options to cook these oats.

A) The Instant Pot: the BEST way to cook steel cut oats! Completely hands-off and the oats never stick to the pot or burn.

• ratio: 1 cup oats, 3 cups water
• time: 4 minutes high pressure with a full natural pressure release (15-20 min)

B) The Slow Cooker: can be finicky, depending on whether your slow cooker cooks hot or not. You may want to use a slow cooker liner, or use a water bath method.

• ratio: 1 cup oats, 4 cups water
• time: low, 6-8 hours

C) Stove Top:  the old fashioned pot works great as well, but I will warn you that you’re going to need to keep an eye on your pot to make sure it doesn’t boil over, and near the end you need to stir frequently to prevent burning.

• • ratio: 1 cup oats, 4 cups water
  • time: simmer for 25-35 minutes (I prefer 25 minutes to make ahead because they soften over time in the fridge)
  • method: add oats to boiling water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently for 25-35 minutes

How to store your steel cut oatmeal

The best thing about these oats is how amazingly well they keep! Here are two ways you can store your steel cut oats:

1. In the fridge: I keep mine up to 4 days in the fridge, in individual portions. They firm up quite a bit, so when re-heating, I add a splash of milk, which really helps them ‘loosen up’.
2. In the freezer: portion out your steel cut oats into a lightly greased muffin tin. Freeze till solid, then allow to sit on the counter for 10 or so minutes. Slipping a knife into the muffin tin should pop the steel cut oats right out and you can store them in a large freezer bag or other storage container.
   To re-heat, heat in 30 second increments in the microwave with a splash of milk. Heat for several minutes until thawed all the way through.

Steel Cut Oats FAQ

7 Healthy Steel Cut Oats Recipes

First, the base recipe. Steel cut oats + water + maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. Add your maple syrup to taste, if you like it really sweet, you’re going to want more! Top with your favorite fruit, nuts, chia seeds, hemp hearts, you name it. You can totally make this recipe your own!

1. Maple Apple Steel Cut Oats

GET THE PRINTABLE MAPLE APPLE STEEL CUT OATS RECIPE HERE!

If this one looks familiar, it’s because I published it back in the fall, and it was even part of our Breakfast Prep Challenge. This recipe swaps one of the cups of water with unsweetened applesauce for an extra dose of apple flavor and extra creamy steel cut oats! The maple extract is optional; it adds a touch of maple flavor, but is delicious without.

2. Spiced Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

GET THE PRINTABLE SPICED PUMPKIN STEEL CUT OATS RECIPE HERE!

Another familiar face! These spiced pumpkin steel cut oats were originally published back in the fall but I just couldn’t leave them out of this collection because they are oh so tasty. Pumpkin puree plus all the delicious spices you’ll find in pumpkin pie will have your kitchen smelling amazing. Add a grated or chopped apple for an extra boost of fruit.

3. Blueberry Lemon Steel Cut Oats

This recipe is so simple and SO tasty! I stir in the lemon zest at the very end so it doesn’t get bitter during cooking. Add chia seeds to taste, fresh for a little crunch. Perfectly light and slightly sweet, the perfect way to start your day.

4. Peanut Butter Chocolate Steel Cut Oats

These chocolate peanut butter steel cut oats are deceptively healthy! Peanut butter gives a boost of extra protein, and you can feel free to swap it out with your favorite nut butter. This steel cut oats recipe benefits from a little bit of extra maple syrup…adjust to your tastes. Top with raspberries, strawberries, or sliced banana.

5. Coconut Key Lime Steel Cut Oats

These coconut key lime steel cut oats are the best way to bring some tropical flavors to your morning! A touch of key lime zest plus some toasted coconut goes perfectly with kiwi or strawberries. If you want to add some coconut milk to the mix, try this recipe from Shutterbean, which replaces 1 cup of water with a can of coconut milk!

6. Zucchini Chocolate Chip Steel Cut Oats

Zucchini season will soon be upon us and we will be trying to put zucchini in everything we possibly can…so why not start with your breakfast? I used 1 cup of shredded zucchini here (be sure to finely shred it), but you could push it even further! Combined with cinnamon and chocolate chips, it tastes very similar to zucchini bread.

7. Strawberry Chai Steel Cut Oats

Berries & chai are an unusual but delicious flavor combination! I use this chai spice baking blend, but you can make your own! I’ve used this one in the past.

Get a free printable with all seven steel cut oats recipes here!

Steel Cut Oats Recipe Card

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

7 Healthy Steel Cut Oats Recipes

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast

Calories: 189kcal

Author: Denise

Servings: 4

7 healthy steel cut oats recipes that are easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge or freezer for easy breakfasts. Plus instructions on how to cook steel cut oats in the Instant Pot, slow cooker or on the stovetop.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time25 mins

Ingredients

Base Recipe

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or more to taste

Maple Apple Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 large apple peeled and cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 teaspoons maple extract optional
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or more to taste
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Spiced Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 apple peeled and grated with the fine part of a box grater
• After cooking:
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or more to sweeten
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds/pepitas optional

Blueberry Lemon Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• zest from 1 lemon
• 1-2 cups blueberries
• chia seeds

Peanut Butter Chocolate Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1-2 cups berries fresh or frozen
• chia seeds

Coconut Key Lime Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon key lime zest
• 1-2 cups strawberries kiwis or pineapple
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut to garnish

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 cup applesauce optional
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 cup shredded zucchini drained of excess liquid
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Strawberry Vanilla Chai Steel Cut Oats

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 Instant Pot or 4 (slow cooker, stove-top) cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon chai spice blend *see note
• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• After cooking:
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1-2 cups chopped fresh strawberries

Instructions

Instant Pot

• Stir together the steel cut oats, water, and other ingredients listed.
• Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, followed by natural pressure release (aka: unplug your Instant Pot) for 10 minutes (or more if you are busy).
• Remove lid and stir in the ingredients listed under 'after cooking'.

Slow Cooker

• Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner. Stir together the steel cut oats, water, and other ingredients listed. 
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
• Stir in the ingredients listed 'after cooking'.

Stove Top

• Heat water in a medium pot until boiling. 
• Add the steel cut oats and other ingredients listed, and bring to a boil. 
• Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25-35 minutes. 
• Remove from heat and stir in the ingredients listed 'after cooking'.

Notes

*This recipe is only for regular steel cut oats. Make sure you don't grab instant steel cut oats by accident!

 

I use this chai spice baking blend, but you can make your own!  I've used this one in the past.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 batch | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g

Looking for more meal prep breakfast ideas?

• try these Healthy Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
• or these 7 Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
• or these No Flipping Meal Prep Protein Pancakes