Instant Pot Oatmeal
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When it comes to simple and easy breakfasts, Instant Pot Oatmeal is one of my favorites. It’s creamy, cozy, and ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings or meal prep!
Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe
There’s something comforting about a warm bowl of oatmeal to start the day, but standing over the stove stirring? There’s no need!
This method takes all the guesswork out of cooking oatmeal. There will be no overflowing pots, no constant stirring, just perfectly creamy oats with minimal effort.
In just a few minutes, you’ll have a delicious, satisfying breakfast ready to top with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or whatever you’re in the mood for. Let’s make mornings easier (and tastier) with this simple Instant Pot oatmeal recipe!
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Oatmeal
- It’s easy. This recipe only requires measuring and pouring – that’s it!
- It’s customizable. Try this recipe with whatever fruit you’re craving, from berries to bananas. You can also boost the flavor with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or any warm spice you like.
- It’s foolproof. Even if you’re a novice in the kitchen, the Instant Pot takes care of all the work. This recipe turns out perfectly every time, with no need for any special culinary knowledge.
Ingredients
- Oats: You can use old fashioned oats or rolled oats for this recipe. I would not recommend instant oats as they will become too soft.
- Water: Using both water and milk helps create just the right texture for this oatmeal.
- Milk: Use whatever milk you have on hand. It can be whole milk, 2%, or fat free. You also have the optional to swap this out for more water.
Optional Toppings
- Fresh berries: I love using blueberries for this recipe, but you can use any berry that’s available.
- Splash of milk: If you like the texture of your oatmeal to be a bit looser, try adding a splash of milk at the end!
- Maple syrup: If you’re craving a sweet breakfast, a drizzle of maple syrup tops this breakfast off nicely.
Substitutions and Variations
Steel cut oats: For steel cut oats, increase the cook time to 4 minutes. You’ll use 1 cup of oats, 2 cups of water and 1 cup of milk in this variation.
Different milk: Try using a non-dairy milk like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
Spices: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin pie spice to the oatmeal for an extra note of warmth and comfort.
How to Make Instant Pot Oats
To make oatmeal in the Instant Pot, all you need is a few ingredients, a measuring cup, and your Instant Pot! Follow the step-by-step instructions below for perfect oatmeal every time.
- Add oats to the Instant Pot bowl. Add milk, water and vanilla. Stir to combine. Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to “Sealing.”
- When cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release.
- Once pressure has released, open the lid and stir the oatmeal.
- Serve in bowls and top with cinnamon, fresh berries, a splash of milk, and maple syrup as desired.
Tips for Success
To make this oatmeal extra successful, here are a few of my best tips:
- Stir the oatmeal after it is done cooking. Use a wooden spoon to stir along the bottom of the pot to ensure everything is well combined.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Allowing a 10-15 minute natural release prevents the oatmeal from bubbling up and sticking to the pot, giving it a better texture and making cleanup easier.
- Adjust the consistency to your liking. If the oatmeal is too thick after cooking, stir in a splash of milk or water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
This oatmeal is great when it’s fresh, but can easily be reheated later. You will want to add a splash more of milk after reheating as it can be a little gummy when refrigerated. Once you mix in that extra milk, you’d never know it wasn’t fresh!
FAQ
Yes, you can make a batch of oatmeal in advance. Once it has been cooked, let it cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Place your cooked oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals until warmed through.
You can! Cooked oatmeal freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge or warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk or water.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Oatmeal
This easy Instant Pot oatmeal is a great recipe for a busy morning. We like serving it with these accompaniments!
A dollop of honey roasted peanut butter is a delicious topping for oatmeal. Serve it with a glass of carrot apple ginger juice to round out the meal.
These ginger shots are a tasty morning pick-me-up. Or you can try this easy strawberry pineapple smoothie!
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Instant Pot Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups milk or additional water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon added after cooking
Optional Toppings
- fresh berries
- splash of milk
- maple syrup
Instructions
- Add oats, water, milk and vanilla to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Secure the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to "Sealing."
- Cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release (about 10-15 minutes).
- Once pressure has released, open the lid and stir the oatmeal.
- Serve in bowls and top with fresh berries, a splash of milk, and maple syrup as desired.
Notes
- The Natural Pressure Release (NPR) is essential if you don’t want to make a big mess. If you release the pressure manually, your Instant Pot will spray out liquid and it’s no fun to clean up!
- You can make a batch of oatmeal in advance. Once it has been cooked, let it cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. This recipe can be doubled, but I don’t recommend tripling it in the Instant Pot. The added liquid will make the sealing process quite messy.
- To reheat, place your cooked oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals until warmed through. Add a splash of milk to loosen up the oats and add your toppings!
