Creamy Instant Pot Oatmeal with rolled oats is a hands off oatmeal recipe and is made directly in the instant pot (NOT POT-IN-POT METHOD). This is creamy, comforting and delicious with various seasonal toppings.
Oatmeal recipes are always a family favorite for breakfast. It is comforting, filling and nourishing. Though I love a bowl of creamy stove top oatmeal, I tend to gravitate towards my favorite instant pot for a hands off oatmeal recipe!
Though cooking oatmeal in an instant pot has been around, the most popular method has been a pot-in-pot (sometimes shortened to PIP). This method of cooking allows food to cook in a separate bowl that's placed on a steam rack or trivet, in the Instant Pot. Since any recipe that involves milk is notorious to burn in the bottom of the stainless steel insert.
Alas, after several tries we have come with clever tricks to avoid the dreaded BURN signal.
THE SECRETS:
1. Covering the bottom with a thin layer of butter
It involves brushing the bottom of the stainless steel inner pot (not heated) with a thick layer of room temperature butter.
This helps in forming a protective sealing and also adds a touch of butteriness to the oatmeal, like in instant pot rice pudding. Butter makes everything better, right?
2. Layering liquids
If you read the recipe instructions, you will notice a DO NOT STIR in bold letters. That is because, we are adapting a layering technique, where the dairy ( which has a tendency to burn in an instant pot base) is poured on top and not stirring it. GAME CHANGER!
Many instant pot oatmeal recipes call for steel cut oats. Though my husband and I enjoy the chewy, nutty taste of steel cut oats, my children tend to enjoy the regular oats.
So, I created a recipe for rolled oats instant pot oatmeal that does not require any complicated methods of cooking. If you into air fryer, then this oatmeal in air fryer is a must try!
Instant Pot Oatmeal with rolled oats is-
- Hands off cooking
- Creamy
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
- Great for meal prep
- Healthy / Gluten free / Vegetarian
- Kid friendly
- Cozy
- Comforting
- Nourishing
How do you cook oatmeal in the instant pot?
(Method with step-by-step photos )
Brush the bottom of the stainless steel inner pot with a thin layer of room temperature (not melted).
Pour in water, oats and salt, give a stir. Pour milk on top and DO NOT STIR. Cover and cook 7 minutes and let it warm for 10 minutes. Release pressure, open and stir in your favorite add-ins and enjoy.
Expert tips in making an Instant Pot old fashioned oats that does not burn-
Layering liquids – If you read the recipe instructions, you will notice a DO NOT STIR in bold letters. That is because, we are adapting a layering technique, where the dairy ( which has a tendency to burn in an instant pot base) is poured on top and not stirring it. GAME CHANGER!
Fat – Brush the bottom of the stainless steel inner pot (not heated) with a thick layer of room temperature butter. This helps in forming a protective sealing and also adds a touch of butteriness to the oatmeal.
Old fashioned oats - This recipe is developed to work only for old fashioned / rolled oats. Steel cut oats need a longer cooking time and more liquid whereas quick oats ends up very mushy.
Don't forget salt - A pinch of salt enhances the flavor without making it bland.
Room temperature butter - Cold butter will not spread easy and melted butter will not form a seal. So, it is extremely important for the butter to be room temperature.
Double the recipe - Double the recipe but DO NOT ALTER COOKING TIME. The instant pot will automatically take longer to come to pressure.
Instant Pot Size – This recipe has been tested in both 3-quart and 8-quart instant pots.
Want to make a healthier instant pot oatmeal recipe? Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
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Oatmeal Variations:
Banana nut - Stir in sliced or chopped banana, chopped walnuts and cinnamon into the cooked oatmeal
Chocolate Peanut butter - Stir in peanut butter, cocoa powder and honey into the cooked oatmeal.
Apples, cinnamon and walnuts - Refer Instant pot apple oatmeal recipe
Maple and Brown sugar - Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, chopped toasted pecans and cinnamon.
Strawberries and cream - Stir in chopped strawberries, a splash of heavy cream (or coconut milk for a healthier take) and honey into the cooked oatmeal
Pina Colada - Stir in finely chopped pineapple, shredded coconut and a dash of coconut milk into the oatmeal
Black forest cake - Stir in chopped fresh Bing cherries, cocoa powder, sugar, a dash of cherry liqueur and whipped cream into the cooked oatmeal
Birthday Cake - Stir in sugar, vanilla extract and sprinkles into the oatmeal
Pumpkin spice - Stir in brown sugar, canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin puree and a splash of cream into the oatmeal
Oatmeal toppings:
This oatmeal recipe is a basic canvas for your favorite toppings. Here are a few suggestions-
Fresh fruits - Sliced bananas, chopped strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries.
Dried fruits - Raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates or chopped dried apricots
Nuts - Chopped toasted almonds, pecans, walnuts or peanuts
Seeds - Flax seeds, toasted sesame seeds (black or white), pumpkin seeds or sun flower seeds
Spices - Ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, ground cardamom or pumpkin spice
Nut butter - peanut, almond or sun butter
Decadent ideas - Chocolate chips, grated dark chocolate, whipped cream, Nutella or sprinkles
Sweeteners - Maple syrup, honey, date syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar or plain sugar
Frequently asked questions:
There are several reasons to get the burn message - Not enough liquid, very thick liquids, milk or cream tends to scald easily, the venting knob is not in sealing position or steam is releasing from silicone sealing ring.
Cooked and cooled oatmeal can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Microwave the oatmeal in a microwave safe container along with a splash of milk or water to loosen up. Add your favorite topping and enjoy.
Instant Pot Oatmeal with rolled oats
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon room temperature butter
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup old fashioned oats rolled oats
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 cup milk
Additional ingredients
- ¼ to ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Using a pastry brush, spread butter all around the bottom of the stainless steel inner pot (use all the butter).
- Add water, oats and salt and gently stir to combine. Pour milk on top, but DO NOT STIR.
- Close and lock lid (making sure that valve is set to seal), cook on manual for 7 minutes. When cooking time is done, let instant pot be in warm mode for 10 minutes (13 to 14 minutes if using a 3-quart pot).
- Release pressure (by turning valve to vent), open, add brown sugar, chopped walnuts, cinnamon and more milk or water (if you want it thinner consistency). Stir and serve. (Refer notes for other flavor variations)
Notes
Oatmeal Variations:
Banana nut – Stir in sliced or chopped banana, chopped walnuts and cinnamon into the cooked oatmeal Chocolate Peanut butter – Stir in peanut butter, cocoa powder and honey into the cooked oatmeal. Apples, cinnamon and walnuts – Refer Instant pot apple, cinnamon oatmeal recipe Maple and Brown sugar – Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, chopped toasted pecans and cinnamon. Strawberries and cream – Stir in chopped strawberries, a splash of heavy cream (or coconut milk for a healthier take) and honey into the cooked oatmeal Pina Colada – Stir in finely chopped pineapple, shredded coconut and a dash of coconut milk into the oatmeal Black forest cake – Stir in chopped fresh Bing cherries, cocoa powder, sugar, a dash of cherry liqueur and whipped cream into the cooked oatmeal Birthday Cake – Stir in sugar, vanilla extract and sprinkles into the oatmeal Pumpkin spice – Stir in brown sugar, canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin puree and a splash of cream into the oatmealNutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Nabila
So i made this today and first attempt was a success however i followed other recipes that did 4 minutes on high pressure… and natural release but i noticed after storing them away that it started thickening rather quickly but you added more milk at the end and can you specify how much you added?
Maria Doss
Hi Nabila, Oatmeal has a tendency to thicken as it cools. You can add as much liquid (milk and/or water) as needed, to get it to your desired consistency. Hope it helps, Maria
Nabila
@Maria Doss, hi maria! So will the 7 minutes make a difference at all? I was very afraid that was way too much time opposed to all the other IP recipes out there. I was afraid it would burn or something.. i might try it again and then add more milk when its done. But is there a reason you use so much time in your recipe plus natural release?
Maria Doss
Hi Nabila, This time makes a more creamier oatmeal. You could totally reduce the cooking time to 4-5 mins, but I would suggest not releasing the pressure soon since it might make a mess. Hope it helps - Maria
Nabila
@Nabila, should i stick to high pressure or low pressure
Nabila
@Maria Doss, should i use high pressure or low pressure
Jeri Farough
It was perfect! I followed directions exactly.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you enjoyed it Jeri – Maria ♡