Perfect Creamy Steel Cut Oatmeal

There aren’t too many things better than a big warm bowl of thick, creamy oatmeal to go with a side of bacon or toast in the mornings. This recipe on how to make perfect Steel Cut Oatmeal includes a little bit of milk and maple syrup to make it extra delicious.

Steel Cut Oatmeal is not only healthy for you, but it’s also extremely filling! And because of its thick texture it’s perfect to make ahead and store in the fridge for meal prep! Have fun adding different toppings like fruit and chopped nuts to mix things up! This Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal and Banana Nut Steel Cut Oatmeal are two great combinations!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STANDARD OATS AND STEEL CUT OATS?

With so many different kinds of oatmeal, which one do you choose? Here are the 3 main types:

• Instant Oats. Oats that have been pre-cooked and dried. The quickest type of oatmeal to cook, however they are often mushy and less healthy for you.
• Old Fashioned (Rolled) Oats. The whole grain oats are steamed and then flattened with a roller to create rolled oats. This is probably the most popular type of oatmeal and is great for baking.
• Steel Cut Oats. Steel cut oats are made by cutting oat groats with steel blades into coarse tiny pieces. They are thicker, chewier and less-processed than rolled oats. They do take longer to cook (about 25 minutes) but are extremely filling, digest slower and are perfect for meal prepping.

BASIC OATMEAL INGREDIENTS

Steel Cut Oats - for a thick, creamy consistency and texture.

Almond Milk or any non-dairy milk - I prefer vanilla flavored almond milk to give it more flavor.

Water

Pure Maple Syrup - to sweeten the oatmeal. I prefer maple syrup over brown sugar because it tastes better and melts better. But if you don't have any maple syrup on hand you can certainly use brown sugar.

Salt - just a pinch of salt is needed when cooking the steel cut oats.

HOW TO MAKE STEEL CUT OATMEAL

Steel Cut Oatmeal is made similar to regular oatmeal but with more liquid and a longer cook time. As a result you end up with a thicker, creamier oatmeal that’s very filling and nourishing. Full instructions are included in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview:

Step One: In a small saucepan add water, milk, steel cut oats and a pinch of salt. Stir well then bring the oats to a slow boil. Once you start to see the oats coming to a boil, immediately turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 25 minutes. (Make sure to keep an eye on the oatmeal and stir every few minutes to prevent any sticking).

Step Two: Once oatmeal is almost ready (around 20 minutes) add a little maple syrup or brown sugar to sweeten. Stir and continue cooking another 3-5 minutes.

Step Three: Add your cooked oatmeal to a bowl and stir in a little more maple syrup and a little more milk if needed. Then enjoy as is or feel free to add other toppings like cooked cinnamon apples, banana, mixed berries, almond butter or chopped nuts to make this a super filling and delicious breakfast recipe! Enjoy!

WHAT IS THE WATER RATIO FOR STEEL CUT OATS?

One big difference between steel cut oats and regular rolled oats is the water ratio. Steel cut oats require a lot more water to cook than rolled oats. This is due to the thickness of the oat and the cook time. 

For ½ cup of steel cut oats use 2 cups of liquid. For 1 cup of steel cut oats use 3 cups of liquid. Sometimes I use just water if that is all I have and other times I use half water and half almond milk. Adding half milk gives it a creamier texture and more flavor!

CAN YOU MAKE STEEL CUT OATMEAL IN THE INSTANT POT?

Absolutely! You can make a bigger batch of this recipe in your Instant Pot. It's easy to do and more hands-off than the stove top method. You can make a big batch for a large family or it's perfect for Meal Prep! Give it a try with this Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe.

MORE STEEL CUT OATMEAL RECIPES

• Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Strawberries & Cream Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Banana Nut Steel Cut Oatmeal

MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES

• Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
• Sweet Potato Pancakes
• Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
• Spinach and Vegetable Frittata
• Strawberry Peach Smoothie

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