Instant Pot Oatmeal: Batch Cooking For Busy Caregivers
Nutritious Instant Pot Oatmeal is the perfect solution for busy caregivers. Learn easy batch cooking strategies and tips for a healthy breakfast on the go.
Caregiving can be hectic so finding time to prepare a healthy and nutritious meal is often challenging. Simplify your mornings with a delicious breakfast of Instant Pot Oatmeal.
Instant Pot Oatmeal is the perfect solution for busy caregivers looking to provide a wholesome breakfast without spending too much time in the kitchen.
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Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe Card
Instant Pot Oatmeal: Batch Cooking for Busy Caregivers
Equipment
- Instant Pot – or any other type of pressure cooker
- medium colander
- measuring cups & spoons
- large spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel-cut oats – preferably organic
- 5 cups filtered water
Toppings
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup – or any sweetener of your choice
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin spice
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut – I use the low-fat kind
- 1/2 cup walnut, almond, or pecan pieces
Instructions
Instant Pot Set-Up
- Using the colander, rinse the steel-cut oats under cool running water until clear and remove any impurities.
- Add the steel-cut oats and water to the inner cooking pot of the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
- Place the lid of the Instant Pot on tight, and plug it in.
- Press the "Pressure Cook" button.NOTE: On some models, make sure the pressure is on "High."
- Set the time to 5 minutes.
- Delay should be set to "Off," and Keep Warm to "On."
- Press "Start."
Cooking Instruction
- The Instant Pot will warm up, and then cook the oats for 4 minutes.
- Do not use the steam release button, instead allow the pressure valve to drop on its own naturally.
- Once the pressure valve has dropped, the oatmeal is done. Carefully turn and remove the Instant Pot lid, being careful not to burn yourself with the steam.
Batch Preparing Oatmeal
- Add all the toppings – maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut, and chopped nuts. Stir to combine well.
- Taste and add any more of the toppings according to your taste preference.
- Divide the prepared oatmeal into 6 individual containers, tightly seal, and place them in the refrigerator.
- When you are ready, pull out a serving of oatmeal and reheat it either in the microwave or on the stove. ENJOY!
Notes
- The ratio of oats to water will depend on the different types of oats you use. The water ratio in this recipe is adjusted for steel-cut oats.
- Should you decide to use regular old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats, you will have to reduce the water slightly. Approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup less but experiment with the water-to-oats ratio and the time it takes to cook in your own personal instant pot.
- If you receive a burn message while cooking your instant pot steel-cut oats, it is more than likely because more water is needed.
- To avoid the burn error, should it occur, make sure your oats and water are mixed well and not stuck to the bottom of the pot. You can also add a little extra water if needed.
- This recipe makes approximately 6 servings. Feel free to double, or even triple, the recipe if your instant pot is large enough.
- If you want to make fewer servings, you can cut the recipe in half, however, I would not reduce it any more than that. I recommend the standard stovetop method if you’d like to make only a single-serving bowl of oatmeal.
- You can store this cooked oatmeal in individual airtight containers in the fridge, and then reheat it either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- You can also store this oatmeal in the freezer for longer storage, just make sure you are using a freezer-safe container.
- Oatmeal stored in the refrigerator will last approximately 6 to 7 days if stored in an airtight container.
- Oatmeal stored in the freezer will last up to 6 months.
Nutrition
The Benefits Of Using An Instant Pot for Oatmeal
An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that significantly reduces cooking time in the kitchen.
The high-pressure cooking cuts down making steel-cut oats from 40-50 minutes on the stove to only a few minutes in the Instant Pot.
This makes instant pot oats the perfect breakfast for caregivers with busy mornings.
Choosing The Best Type Of Oats
I recommend using steel-cut oats for the best nutritional benefit, and for a delicious chewy texture.
Oats are complex carbohydrates and very nutritious and healthy for you. They contain a good amount of fiber which helps maintain blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full.
When cooking oats, there are several types of raw oats to choose from, such as steel-cut oats, old-fashioned oats, and instant oats.
Steel-cut oats are the most nutritious because they are the least processed type of oats, and they maintain more of their nutrients.
Because of this, they do require a longer cooking time. However, in the Instant Pot, it will still be a snap! Old-fashioned and instant oats are considered more processed and contain less fiber.
I recommend using steel-cut oats for the best nutritional benefit and hearty texture when batch-cooking in an Instant Pot.
If you prefer a creamier oatmeal, feel free to use old-fashioned oats or instant oats but keep in mind that the amount of water you use, and the cooking time will be different than this recipe.
Instant Pot Oatmeal Ingredients
Steel-cut oats. I prefer to use a certified organic oat to reduce my exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other toxic pollutants.
Filtered water. Do you consider this an ingredient? I do! 😉
Pure maple syrup. I look for maple syrup with only one ingredient – pure maple syrup and no added sugars.
Cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is great, and best to look for an organic brand.
Nutmeg or pumpkin spice. I use these two ingredients all year long. No need to wait for fall to use pumpkin spice!
Shredded coconut. A nice touch of sweetness and fiber. I like to use the low-fat kind.
Walnut pieces. Or any other type of nut you prefer like almonds, pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts
Instant Pot Oatmeal Instructions
Setting Up The Instant PotUsing the colander, rinse the steel-cut oats under cool running water until clear and remove any impurities.
Add the steel-cut oats and water to the inner cooking pot of the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
Place the lid of the Instant Pot on tight, and plug it in.
Press the “Pressure Cook” button.
NOTE: On some models, make sure the pressure is on “High.”
Set the timer to 5 minutes.
Delay should be set to off, and Keep Warm set to on.
Press “Start.”
Cooking InstructionsThe Instant Pot will warm up, and then cook the oats for 4 minutes.
Do not use the steam release button, instead allow the pressure valve to drop on its own naturally.
Once the pressure valve has dropped, the oatmeal is done. Carefully turn and remove the Instant Pot lid, being careful not to burn yourself with the steam.
Batch Preparing OatmealAdd all the toppings – maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut, and chopped nuts. Stir to combine well.
Taste and add any more of the toppings according to your taste preference.
Divide the prepared oatmeal into 6 individual containers, tightly seal, and place them in the refrigerator.
When you are ready, pull out a serving of oatmeal and reheat it either in the microwave or on the stove. ENJOY!
Other Toppings To Consider For Oatmeal
There are so many ways to go when it comes to toppings for a delicious bowl of oatmeal! Here are just a handful of toppings to consider.
- honey or date syrup for sweetener.
- vanilla protein powder for extra protein and flavoring.
- chocolate protein powder for extra protein and a more chocolaty flare.
- Cacao for a healthy chocolate taste.
- peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut butter, or cashew butter. Any of the nut butters taste fabulous on oatmeal.
- berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- sliced bananas – peanut butter and bananas go great on oatmeal
- pure fruit jam like strawberry, orange marmalade, etc.
Tips For Success
Water Ratio
The ratio of water to oats will depend on the different types of oats you use. The water ratio in this recipe is adjusted for steel-cut oats.
Should you decide to use regular old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats, you will have to reduce the water slightly. I’d estimate anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 cup but you can experiment with the water-to-oats ratio and the time it takes to cook in your own personal Instant Pot.
Burn Error
If you receive a burn message while cooking your Instant Pot steel-cut oats, it is more than likely because more water is needed.
I have experimented with the water ratio in this recipe and believe I have it down perfectly but that is for my Instant Pot. To avoid the burn error, should it occur, make sure your oats and water are mixed well and not stuck to the bottom of the pot.
You can also add a little extra water if needed.
Batch Cooking
This recipe makes a big batch of oatmeal for you to have on hand and is perfect for meal-prepping. It makes approximately six servings. Feel free to double, or even triple, the recipe if your Instant Pot is large enough.
If you want to make fewer servings, you could cut the recipe in half, however, I would not reduce it any more than that. I would use the standard stove method If you want to make only a single-serving bowl of oatmeal.
How To Store
I like storing this cooked oatmeal in individual airtight containers in the fridge so that on any given busy morning, I can just grab a single serving container and reheat it either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Oatmeal stored in the refrigerator will last approximately 6 to 7 days if stored in an airtight container.
You can also store this oatmeal in the freezer for longer storage, just make sure you use a freezer-safe container.
Oatmeal stored in the freezer will last up to 6 months.
Instant Pot Oatmeal For Busy Caregivers
Instant Pot Oatmeal is an easy recipe for making a big batch of oatmeal for those busy caregiver mornings or a delicious healthy snack for the afternoon.
It’s a great way for caregivers to prepare a healthy and nutritious breakfast with minimal effort and cooking time.
Whether you prefer steel-cut, old-fashioned, or instant oats, this simple recipe can suit your desired taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and a hands-off cooking process, Instant Pot Oatmeal is a great solution for busy caregivers looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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LET’S CONNECT
I hope you try making Instant Pot Oatmeal, and that you find batch-cooking this recipe helpful for your busy caregiver days.
If you enjoyed this article and recipe, please consider giving a 5-star rating and sharing your thoughts in the comment section below. I value each comment and respond promptly.
The instant pot is so handy for quick healthy meals like this, looks yummy!
Yes it is, and thank you!
Love this recipe! Oatmeal is one meal which is overlooked as a powerhouse for nutrition. I love adding in egg whites to my oatmeal for extra staying power!
So true. Thank you for your support!