Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a foolproof instant pot oatmeal recipe— tender apples, warm cinnamon, no stirring, and no burning. It’s a hands-off, creamy, flavorful and cozy fall breakfast that turns out perfect every time.

👉 The recipe originally called for 2 cups of water, but a few readers found the oatmeal too liquidy. I’ve updated the recipe to use 1 cup of water instead, which gives you a thicker, creamier oatmeal.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword apple cinnamon instant pot oatmeal, instant pot apple cinnamon oatmeal, instant pot oatmeal with apple, instant pot oatmeal with rolled oats

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings Servings

Calories 330kcal

Ingredients

2 apples
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup water
½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 pinches salt
1 cups milk (more for later)
¼ cup brown sugar or to taste
¼ cup chopped walnuts or as needed

Instructions

Chop apples. Core 2 apples and cut them into bite-sized chunks — there’s no need to peel them.
Saute apples. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Once hot, add 2 tablespoon butter and let it melt, then add the chopped apples and sauté for 1–2 minutes.
👉 The recipe originally called for 2 cups of water, but a few readers found the oatmeal too liquidy. I’ve updated the recipe to use 1 cup of water instead, which gives you a thicker, creamier oatmeal.
Here is the instant pot size and water measurement:
3 qt instant pot - 1 cup water
6 qt instant pot - 1 ¼ cups water
8 qt instant pot - 1 ½ cups water
Pressure cook. Add 1 cup oats and continue sautéing for 1 more minute. Press cancel, then add 1 cup water (adjust based on the size of your instant pot), ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 2 pinches salt, and mix well. Gently pour 1 cup of milk over the top without stirring — this step is crucial, as it keeps the milk from touching the base of the pot and helps prevent scorching.
Close and lock the lid, making sure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on manual/pressure cook for 7 minutes, then allow the Instant Pot to stay on warm for 10 minutes.
Finish. Release the pressure and open the lid. Stir in more milk to adjust the consistency, along with brown sugar (adjust based on your preferred sweetness) and chopped walnuts, then serve.

Video

Notes

Apples - I prefer to use Fuji, Honey crisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold or Granny Smith apples, but your favorite variety will work.

Instant Pot Size - This recipe has been tested in both 3-quart and 8-quart instant pots

Swap the sweetener: Use maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar in place of brown sugar.

Spice it up: Along with cinnamon, feel free to add ground cloves, allspice, or a touch of freshly grated nutmeg.

Make it gluten-free: Just use certified gluten-free rolled oats instead.

Nut-free: For a nut-free version, simply skip the walnuts.

Dairy-free: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy free milk.

Nutrition