Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

Name: Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 and 1/2 cups water or non-dairy milk (see note #1); 2 cups steel cut oats (see note #2); 2 medium apples (diced; see note #3); 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional); 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 2 cinnamon sticks

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You can make apple cinnamon steel cut oats in the Instant Pot in just 30 minutes! Instant pot oatmeal is great for breakfast and meal prep and is super easy to customize.

Overhead view of white bowl filled with oatmeal and diced apples.

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Recipe features

If you’re like me and love cozy but simple breakfasts in the cooler months, then you are going to love making Instant Pot steel cut oats!

Dietary features: dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free optional, nut-free
Lightly sweetened and filled with apple cinnamon flavor
Ready in just 30 minutes
Makes 4-5 servings and can easily be doubled

In the quick 30 minutes cook time the apples break down, making the oatmeal sweet and full of natural apple flavor. Cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon add warmth and make this meal perfect for fall!

What you’ll need

Labeled ingredients used to make steel cut oats.

Steel cut oats, not to be confused with rolled oats or instant oats.
Apples: I like to use sweet apples like Gala or Honeycrisp but any kind works. I leave the peel on but you can remove it if you prefer. The peel will soften and be unnoticeable after pressure cooking.
Milk and water: Because cow’s milk can scald/burn in the Instant Pot, I use non-dairy milk which make this recipe totally dairy free! Unsweetened, unflavored soy milk is my go-to but oat milk, almond milk, etc. are all great options.
Cinnamon sticks add an extra punch of cinnamon-y goodness to the steel cut oats. Feel free to omit cinnamon sticks if you don’t have any on hand.
Sweetener: Light brown sugar is my go-to sweetener but any kind works here. Maple syrup, white sugar, honey, agave syrup, etc.

How to cook steel cut oats

All of my Instant Pot recipes are made in a 6 qt DUO60 Instant Pot. Check out more of my Instant Pot recipes.

Pro tip: This apple slicer makes preparing diced apples so much easier and can cut down on prep time.

Instant pot filled with milk, apples and cinnamon.

Combine all ingredients (diced apples, cinnamon, steel-cut oats, liquid) in the Instant Pot. You can use water or non-dairy milk, such as soy or almond milk. Careful, dairy milk may scald in the Instant Pot!

Press the "manual" button and set to high pressure for 4 minutes.

Allow the pressure to release naturally, which takes about 10-12 minutes.

Instant pot with creamy steel cut oats before stirring.

Carefully remove the lid and give the apple cinnamon oatmeal a stir.

Wooden spoon in steel cut oats in Instant Pot.

Top with additional apple, cinnamon, and pecans or walnuts. Add a pinch of salt or extra dash of brown sugar for added sweetness.

Recipe FAQ

Are steel-cut oats healthier than regular oats?

Steel-cut oats are slightly higher in fiber due to their density and minimal processing, though both rolled and steel-cut oats are a good source of soluble fiber. Because steel-cut oats are high in soluble fiber, they are a healthy option that can help keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Are steel-cut oats good for meal prep?

Steel cut oats are great for meal prep! I love making oatmeal for a week of breakfast meal prep. I usually store oatmeal portioned out in separate meal-prep containers with pre-portioned toppings and add-ins.

How do you store and reheat steel-cut oats?

For best quality, keep leftover steel cut oats refrigerated for 3-4 days in a closed container. You may need to add an extra splash of milk to loosen the oats when reheating. I usually reheat them in the microwave in 1-2 minutes, but you can also reheat them over medium/medium-low on the stove top.

Can I use water instead of non-dairy milk?

Yes, using 100% water works well. Milk is used because it adds an extra creamy texture and adds extra nutrition like protein and vitamins.

Can I use cow’s milk instead of non-dairy milk?

No, cow’s milk and/or cream do not work here because dairy milk is at risk of scalding when cooked at high pressure in the Instant Pot.

Expert tips

Toppings: Fresh apple, toasted pecans or walnuts, and a dollop of nut butter (almond butter is a great option here) are all good ways to make steel cut oats more filling and nutritious.
If your oats aren’t cooked all the way through, simply cook them for 1 more minute. Let the pressure release manually. You can add an extra splash of milk or water if the oats seem dry.
Adjust sweetness to taste. The apple adds a lot of natural sweetness, so I recommend adding sweetener to taste.
Flavor varieties: You can make basic steel cut oats instead of apple cinnamon flavor by omitting the apple and cinnamon. Feel free to add frozen berries, etc. to make this recipe your own.

Troubleshooting

How to prevent the burn error

Personally, I’ve never had the burn error when making steel cut oats in the Instant Pot. But I know that some readers do get it so these are my main tips for preventing and fixing the dreaded burn error (you can hopefully carry these tips across other Instant Pot recipes).

These are the two main ways to prevent the burn error:

The Instant Pot container should be 100% clean. The most common cause of the burn error is bits of food getting stuck on the bottom of the pot, though this is more common if you are sautéing in the pot.
Don’t stir the ingredients. Just add them in the listed order then put the lid on – don’t stir!

What to do if you get the burn error:

Carefully do a quick pressure release. Carefully remove the lid and check for any stuck-on bits on the bottom of the pot. Remove them and return to cooking.
Add an extra ½ cup of liquid, then return to cooking.

Replace the lid and resume cooking where the timer left off.

Silver spoon lifting a bite of steel cut oats out of a white bowl.

Looking for more breakfast recipes?

If you like this recipe you'll want to try apple cinnamon overnight oats. Here are a few more of my favorite fall breakfast ideas:

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4.89 from 18 votes