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–+ servings
2 bowls of oatmeal, one with berries, one with bananas and raisins and nuts
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4.70 from 20 votes

Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe (with rolled or steel oats)

Make perfectly creamy, healthy, comforting instant pot oatmeal with rolled oats or steel-cut oats. And, avoid the dreaded burn message, get inspired with yummy toppings and amp up the nutrition for you and your kids.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
pressure build and release16 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Servings (change as needed): 3 (or 2 larger servings)
Author: Cheryl Avrich
US Measures - Metric

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cup rolled oats or steel-cut oats, Note 1
  • 2 cups water (use 3 cups for steel cut oats), Note 2
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping options

  • fruits, nuts, brown sugar, maple syrup, dates, cinnamon, milk, cream (see Note 3 for more options)
US Measures - Metric

Instructions

  • MAKE INSTANT POT OATMEAL: Place oats, water (or substitute) and salt in instant pot. Note 4 for add-ins. Stir. Place lid on pot, Lock in place. Turn knob to Sealing.
    °Set to High Pressure for 2 minutes. It will take 5-6 minutes to build the pressure before the 2-minute countdown starts.
    °When finished, you will see an "L" on the face of the instant pot. Do a 10 minute natural release (L will reach 10). Turn knob on lid to Venting with a spoon, keeping your hands and face away, to do a final quick release. Open when the button on top drops.
  • FINISH AND SERVE: Open lid. Stir. Oatmeal will thick on standing. If too thick, stir in a splash of water or milk. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  1. Oats to use: Use old-fashioned rolled oats or steel-cut oats. Quick oats can be used with a little less water, but they'll have a softer texture. Do not use instant oats, which become mushy. If using steel-cut oats, note that brands vary. If they turn out too firm, increase the pressure cook time to 3-4 minutes next time. 
  2. How much water/milk to use:
    • For a looser oatmeal, add an extra 1/4 cup (59 ml) of water. You can also stir in more water or milk after cooking if needed.
    • You can substitute up to half the water with unsweetened non-dairy milk (such as almond or soy milk).
    • We don't recommend cow's milk, as it can trigger the Burn message.
  3. Oatmeal toppings and flavor combos: 
    • Fresh fruit and nuts - blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, bananas, apples, pears, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
    • Fall version - sprinkle on pumpkin pie spice and a splash of maple syrup
    • Tropical version - banana slices, kiwi slices and grated coconut
    • Carrot cake oatmeal - mix in finely grated carrot, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins then top with maple syrup and a dollop of yogurt.
    • Banana bread-ish - sliced bananas, cinnamon, chopped nuts.
    • Simple decadence - half and half cream + brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon
    • Other toppings - chopped dates, chocolate chips, peanut butter or nut butter, granola.
  4. Add-ins to make the oatmeal even more nutritious: Stir one or more of these into the oatmeal before cooking:
    • 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds (add a few extra tablespoons of water)
    • 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
    • Chopped prunes
    • 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
  5. How to prevent oatmeal from burning: This recipe has worked consistently in our 6-quart Instant Pot, but some newer models have a more sensitive Burn sensor. To reduce the chance of a Burn message:
    • Use water or unsweetened non-dairy milk (not cow's milk).
    • Make sure the sealing ring is properly installed.
    • In an 8-quart Instant Pot, it's best to double the recipe (DO NOT halve it)
    • If you have a newer Instant Pot model or have received a Burn message before, add an extra 1/4 cup (59 ml) of water.
    • If you still get a Burn message, see the FAQ for the pot-in-pot method.
  6. Can I halve or double the recipe? 
    • In a 6 quart pot, you can double or halve the recipe without any change to the time.
    • In an 8 quart pot, you can double the recipe using the same time. Do NOT halve it.
    • A doubled recipe will take longer to come to pressure.
  7. Make ahead
    • Make 60-90 minutes ahead and leave it sit on 'warm' without affecting the taste or texture. Stir and serve. Add a bit of extra liquid if it becomes too thick.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
    • Oatmeal can also be frozen for 2-3 months in ready-to-eat portions in sealed containers or ziploc bags.
    • Reheat oatmeal in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
 
Nutrition values are estimated for 2/3 cup/54 grams rolled oats made with water. Toppings are not included. The recipe makes 2 cups of cooked oatmeal (rolled oats). Nutrition values will increase if you have a 1-cup/160 grams serving. 
Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg