Instant Pot Apple Steel Cut Oats

This recipe is warm and cozy, plus it’s super easy to make these instant pot apple steel cut oats.  The oatmeal is lightly sweetened with raisins and cooked apples, making it naturally sweet.  Since everyone has their own sweetness preference, you can always add maple syrup to sweeten up your apple steel cut oats.    

Making steel-cut oats in an instant pot isn’t any quicker than cooking on the stovetop, but you can walk away making it a hands-off recipe.  Who doesn’t love that?  

Peel or don’t peel your apples, this recipe is very forgiving.  Don’t like raisins?  Don’t add them.  Prefer the steel cuts oats to be sweeter?  Add more sweetener.  Don’t like cinnamon?  Leave it out.  Just keep the oats and liquid ratio the same.  

When the apple cinnamon steel cut oats are done cooking, dress them up and add your favorite toppings to suit your preferences.  I use the oatmeal recipe as a base and add more goodies to the top.  My favorite is just a sliced banana, a bunch of fresh berries, and ground flaxseed.  I like adding nutrient-dense fruit to add more volume and bulk up the dish.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 

• I’ve enjoyed Gala, Pink Lady, and Honey Crunch apples, but use your favorite.
• Finely dice the apples or larger dice to have larger chunks of apples.
• Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes for firmer oats, or 8 minutes for softer oats.
• Peel or don’t peel your apples, your choice.  I don’t peel my apples, less prep work, and more fiber!
• There will be liquid on top when the oats are done and some separation.  Just stir it back into the oatmeal and it will thicken as it cools.
• It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, and about 20-25 minutes to naturally release pressure.  Feel free to manually release any pressure after 15 or 20 minutes.

How to Make Instant pot Oatmeal with Apples

Dice your apples, then add all of your ingredients to the instant pot and stir to combine.

Move the venting valve to seal, and set the pressure cooker to manual or high for 4 minutes for firmer oats or 8 minutes for softer oats.  Turn off the keep warm function.  It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.

Let it naturally release pressure, which will take about 20 to 25 minutes; or if you don’t want to wait manually release the pressure through the vent after it has naturally depressurized after 15 minutes.  

Then stir to combine everything.

Stove Top Method

Add all of the ingredients to a pot and cook covered for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The time may vary depending on how thick and creamy you like your oats.  Remove from heat and cool, the oats will thicken more while cooling.

Can I Substitute with Old Fashioned Oats?

Old-fashioned (rolled oats), quick-cooking, and instant oats cannot be substituted. The time in the pressure cooker and the liquid to oat ratio is specifically for steel-cut oats.

Reheating Instructions

The steel-cut oats firm up once cooled and chilled.  They can be reheated using the stovetop or microwave.  When reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of water or milk to get the desired consistency you prefer and slowly heat up the oats in a pot, stirring frequently.  To heat up in the microwave, add the desired milk or water to thin the oats out.  Then microwave until warm.

Storage

Store the cinnamon apple steel cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.  I haven’t personally tried freezing oats.

More Oatmeal Recipes

• Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Raisin Oatmeal Bars
• Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
• Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies
• Blueberry Walnut Baked Oatmeal Cups

As always I hope you enjoy this recipe for instant pot apple oatmeal!

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