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    Home » Recipes » Oats

    Instant Pot Oatmeal with rolled oats

    Published: Oct 6, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2025 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    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.

    Jump to Recipe

    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:

    Why does my oatmeal burn in my instant pot?

    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.

    How long does oatmeal stay fresh?

    Cooked and cooled oatmeal can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

    How to reheat oatmeal?

    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

    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.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 1 minute minute
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 9 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 Servings
    Calories: 303kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    Instant Pot Size – This recipe has been tested in both 3-quart and 8-quart instant pots.
    To meal prep - Cook and cool oatmeal. Divide them into individual serving glass jars (or any microwavable container), cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    To re heat - Add a touch of milk or water to the cold oatmeal and microwave (remove lid) for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir well before eating.
    Gluten-Free - To make gluten free oatmeal use gluten free oats
    Old fashioned oats – This recipe is developed to work only of old fashioned / rolled oats. Steel cuts 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.
    Double the recipe – Double the recipe but DO NOT ALTER COOKING TIME. The instant pot will automatically take longer to come to pressure.

    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 oatmeal

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 173mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 15g

    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.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

    Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

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    Comments

    1. Nabila

      July 18, 2022 at 2:50 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        July 18, 2022 at 4:08 am

        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

        Reply
      • Nabila

        July 28, 2022 at 10:10 pm

        @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?

        Reply
        • Maria Doss

          August 01, 2022 at 4:35 am

          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

          Reply
      • Nabila

        August 03, 2022 at 12:57 pm

        @Nabila, should i stick to high pressure or low pressure

        Reply
      • Nabila

        August 03, 2022 at 12:58 pm

        @Maria Doss, should i use high pressure or low pressure

        Reply
    2. Jeri Farough

      September 12, 2023 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      It was perfect! I followed directions exactly.

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        September 13, 2023 at 1:36 am

        That’s so great to hear! So glad you enjoyed it Jeri – Maria ♡

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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