Instant Pot Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats Oatmeal is a 10 minute vegan, dairy-free, refined-sugar free pressure cooker recipe that is perfect for overnight, make-ahead breakfast, and meal prep. These are quick cooking oats the whole family will love.
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I pretty much gave up oatmeal years ago. I was eating that pre-packaged stuff that is loaded with tons of sugar. I refer to it as "stuff" because it provides very little nutritional value.
I sought out other alternatives for oatmeal, but now I am back. This is my first time trying steel cut oats in my Instant Pot. What better way to eat steel cut oats than to make them taste like apple pie?
I love to make my own oatmeal because I can control the amount of sugar that is used. Using fresh fruit and raw honey helps create a recipe that is naturally sweetened.
You can totally still accomplish the same homemade baked apple pie taste in this recipe without going overboard with refined sugar.
Table of Contents
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in an Instant Pot
I used Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats. Here is a link to the exact oats used in this recipe. It is important that you use regular steel cut oats, and not instant or quick steel cut oats.
Add your steel cut oats to the pressure cooker or Instant Pot with milk and water. Cook for 10 minutes. Allow steam to release naturally.
You can learn more about how to make the perfect Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats every time here.
Are Steel Cut Oats Better than Rolled Oats?
Now, why steel cut oats and not regular oats. Most of us are used to rolled oats. I am sure you have fond and/or vivid memories of Quaker oatmeal. If you compare the macro/nutritional value of rolled oats vs steel cut oats, you will find they are very comparable. Calories, fat, etc. are pretty much the same.
The biggest difference in steel cut vs rolled is the amount of processing and how the oats are processed. Rolled oats are rolled out and flattened. Steel cut oats are cut into thin slices by steel blades. This process retains fiber and protein. Steel cut oats help your feel fuller after eating them.
Steel cut oats take up to 20 minutes to cook on the stove. With the Instant Pot, you cut that time in half. You also have the freedom to walk away and do whatever you need around the house. No need to babysit a pot on the stove!
This recipe is perfect for make-ahead breakfast or meal prep. You can throw all of your items in the Instant Pot overnight and let it sit in the fridge and then turn on the pressure cooker in the morning.
How to Reheat Steel Cut Oats
Do steel cut oats reheat well? Yes. I like to meal prep the oats and store them in Tupperware. I use the microwave to reheat.
You may also enjoy these Healthy Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipes from Shape Magazine.
Pair this oatmeal with Air Fryer Sausage, Air Fryer Bacon, or Keto Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Muffins.
Instant Pot Recipes Perfect for Fall
Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte
Instant Pot Apple Cider
Instant Pot Homemade Applesauce
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Oatmeal
I prefer to pack up my prepped meals in glass food storage containers. I use this food storage set from Amazon.
Pin this recipe for later here.
Click here for a complete listing of Instant Pot Recipes and Southern Soul Food Recipes.
Instant Pot Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 2 apples peeled and diced, I used Honey Crisp
- 2 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger I used ginger sold in a jar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsbp chopped pecans for topping
- cooking spray or oil to grease the Instant Pot I used avocado oil, you can also use coconut oil
Instructions
- Grease the sides and bottom of the Instant Pot with oil. You can also use cooking spray. This step is important because you don't want the oats to stick to the pot.
- Add all of the ingredients to the pot (with the exception of the pecans) and stir.
- Close the pot and seal. Place the Instant Pot on Manual High-Pressure Cooking for 10 minutes.
- When the timer beeps DO NOT perform a quick release. Press cancel, to turn the pot off. You do not want the Instant Pot on "Keep Warm." The oats may burn.
- Allow the steam release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the pot.
- Serve the oatmeal in bowls topped with chopped pecans or desired toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Anita Georgieva says
Love this meal for breakfast! Delicious and satisfying at the same time. Enough to keep you fed until lunch time. Not to think about food but to be productive and do your job. Perfect! 🙂
Ashley says
Sounds delicious. I may have to try this next time I work an overnight shift!
Deb says
If you just have rolled oats, would the directions be the same?
staysnatched says
I would prepare rolled oats on the stove. Steel cut oats take a long time to prepare on the stove. That's why I used the Instant Pot.
Christine says
This looks delicious and so good for you! The instant pot is all the rage right now. I think I really need to look into one!!
Grace says
This looks delicious! I like the to combine apple, cinnamon and honey so I will try this for breakfast for sure.
Grace says
This looks delicious! I like to combine apple, cinnamon and honey so I will try this for breakfast for sure.
Ariel says
This sounds and looks so delicious! The calorie count is not bad either, I will have to try this for breakfast sometime. I have yet to find an oatmeal I really like, but it is definitely worth the try! Thank you for sharing.
Liz says
This sounds really good. My husband is always looking for yummy/healthy breakfast recipes and this sounds like something he would really enjoy. We'll have to try it!
Rebecca says
I can't wait to try this! Is the milk a must or can I leave it out? Thank you! 🙂
staysnatched says
Yup! I used almond milk, but you can just use water.
Rebecca says
Thank you! 🙂
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
I love this! I love what you can do in an instant pot!
Danielle Faith says
Now this is quick, easy, and an amazing way to eat healthy. While you still have something very yummy. I've added this to my recipe book! Thanks so much!!!
Teri Stephens says
Steel cut oats are my favorite. I love the texture of them, and my daughter loves them too. Great call on making them in an instant pot. I have to try it.
Jillian says
20 minutes to this tasty, healthy breakfast!
Ginny McMeans says
This is great! I haven't used my instant pot for steel cut oats yet and I love them. Your spices sound so good too. Thanks!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Ohhhh this looks amazing! Love anything apple + oatmeal and actually had apple cinnamon baked oatmeal this morning! Love the idea of doing steel oats in the instant pot so they don't take forever to cook!
Stephanie says
Have you tried saving leftovers to save for later? Does it warm up ok?
staysnatched says
Yes. I packed the oatmeal in individual containers as meal prep for the week. It warms up fine. Add any crunchy toppings after you have warmed it up.
Karen says
Made this 2 weeks in a row. Great taste, heating up well and healthy breakfast at my fingertips in the morning. Thanks for the recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Wendy says
This recipe worked perfectly and was SO GOOD! It was enough for 2 of us to share for 3 days in a row! Delicious!!!
staysnatched says
That's so awesome to hear! I hope you try more of my recipes!
Dagny says
I replaced the honey with sugar-free syrup.
Bev says
Can you use regular milk?
staysnatched says
I have not tested it with regular milk, but I would assume so.
Steven Petrusek says
could you use sugar free apple pie filling instead ??
staysnatched says
I have never tested this.
Dach says
My new favorite go to! My kids absolutely love it. How long would you cook it in a crock pot? Needing to make at night and would like to wake up to some hot oats in the morning 🙂
staysnatched says
Hi there. I have not tested the recipe in a Crockpot. I no longer use slow cookers. You may try to google a specific slow cooker recipe.
Amy K Wilson says
Is the calorie count right for 2 servings? Or should it be 4? Thank you! Can't wait to make!
staysnatched says
The calorie count is per serving. The recipe makes 2 servings. The nutrition data is for each.
Brian says
I love this recipe. I’ve been making this recipe for a couple years now and my wife and I love it. I have it stuck to the side of my fridge and double it every week or two to have breakfast for us both for 4 days out of the week.
Do you think you may be miscalculating the calories due to measuring the calories of the oatmeal as prepared instead of dry? I’m coming up with 474 calories per serving calculated using 2 apples at 80 apiece, 1 cup dry steel cut oats at 600, 2 tablespoons honey at 64 apiece and one cup almond milk at 60. Total for recipe 948, per serving 948/2 = 474.
staysnatched says
No, my calculation is accurate. You should always perform your own calculation using the ingredients you used in your recipe and go with your own calculation.
Jimmy says
@staysnatched, what oats do you use? All the steel cut oats I can find are more calories before adding anything else than this whole recipe says.
staysnatched says
Bob's Red Mill or Trader Joe's.
Cheryl McDonald says
Hi Your receipes look wonderful can't wait to try them. I just wanted to comment that I don't understand why you feel the need to grease the pot so the oats don't stick. I have been cooking these same oats (kids love them). almost daily for going on 4 years... never once have they stuck to the pot. I just use 1 cup oats, 3.5 cup water and turn it to manual 3 minutes and let it sit for 10. Stir and serve with brown sugar and golden raisens. Never had them stick... unless maybe yours are sticking due to milk or other stuff in this receipe? Afraid to try this without the grease though...
staysnatched says
Don't do it if you feel you don't need to. When I cook grits and oats they stick. I speak from my experience. Do what you wish.
Nielle says
So delicious and my entire kitchen smells wonderful now! I love all the facts and information about the food you give with your recipes. Thanks!
staysnatched says
Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it.
Anne D says
Love, love, LOVE this recipe. I am a big fan of steel cut oats, and this recipe was so quick and easy. I made a pot on Monday morning and ate it all week. It reheats extremely well, but I even ate it cold one morning when I was on the run. I did not have almond milk on hand, so used coconut milk and it didn't seem to effect the taste. I topped with berries some days and nuts the others. So very versatile. This will be a staple all fall and winter. Thanks, Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I love the berries idea.
Abby says
These are perfect and so easy! I used brown sugar instead of honey (what I had) and it worked well. Reheats well too!
staysnatched says
Yay! I love that sub.
Eunice says
Great recipe Brandi! This is so much better than instant oatmeal packets.
staysnatched says
Yes! So much better.
Coby says
I love steel cut oats, but have never made them in the instant pot before. This was such an easy way to make them- I loved not having to babysit the pot. While the pressure released I went and worked out, and when I was done I had a delicious, creamy breakfast waiting for me! The flavor of these oats is great- not to sweet - and I stayed full until lunchtime. Thanks for the recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kristina says
Love this recipe! If I want to double it, do I need to add cook time?
staysnatched says
I've never doubled it, but I assume no. If you try it let me know!