You can make these easy vegan Instant Pot apple cinnamon steel cut oats in just 30 minutes! With this oatmeal recipe, you'll have a healthy and filling breakfast in no time.
And just like that it's September! Pardon me while I dive head first into seasonal meals.
Apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, oh my!
Okay, this recipe just includes apples and cinnamon, but it'll still make you say "Oh my!" with how quick and easy it is to make. I've become fast friends with my Instant Pot (AKA electric pressure cooker), and even faster friends with steel-cut oats.
Making steel cut oats in the Instant Pot is so easy, and so much faster than on the stove-top. You'll love making Instant Pot steel cut oats for breakfast, meal prep or even as a snack!
You can have this healthy breakfast prepped and ready in just 30 minutes. This recipe makes 4 medium servings, or 5 small servings, that are perfect for family breakfast or meal prep.
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 a great fall flavor.
Pro tip: This apple slicer makes preparing diced apples so much easier and can cut down on prep time.
Are steel-cut oats healthier than regular oats?
The main difference between oat types is how they are processed, with steel-cut oats being the least processed.
Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats that have been cut into 2-3 pieces, whereas rolled oats are rolled and steamed to shorten their cooking time. Instant oats are the most processed and have the shortest cooking time.
Instant oats, rolled oats (also known as old fashioned oats) and steel-cut oats are all similar in nutritional value, with fiber content being the main difference between the three.
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.
The consumption of whole oats has been found to decrease LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and total cholesterol, making them a great heart-healthy breakfast option.
Step by step instructions
- 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 will burn 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. Give your apple cinnamon steel cut oats a stir and splash with a bit of milk. Top with additional apple, cinnamon, and pecans or walnuts. Add a pinch of salt or extra dash of brown sugar for added sweetness.
Because steel-cut oats are high in soluble fiber, they'll help keep you full until lunchtime. Add a few nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for additional protein and healthy fats.
Top with additional diced apple for texture and extra fall flavor.
I like to store the apple cinnamon oats in these glass meal-prep containers for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
If you like this recipe you'll want to try apple cinnamon overnight oats.
Looking for more breakfast recipes?
- Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Easy Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole
- Mocha Overnight Oats
- Pecan Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
All of my Instant Pot recipes are made in a 6 qt DUO60 Instant Pot. Check out more of my Instant Pot recipes.
Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 4 and ½ cups water or non-dairy milk see note
- 2 medium apples, medium diced
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Add the water or non-dairy milk to your Instant Pot. Next sprinkle in the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cinnamon sticks and steel cut oats. Don't stir together. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock into place. Set the steam release valve to "sealing".
- Press the manual button and set to high pressure for 4 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure.
- Once the 4 minutes are up, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally. This will take another 10-12 minutes. The oats are ready when the float valve drops down. Carefully remove the lid and stir the oatmeal.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving. Top with additional cinnamon and diced apple. Add a splash of milk if you like a looser oatmeal.
Notes
- This apple slicer makes preparing diced apples so much easier.
- I do not recommend using dairy milk in this recipe, as it may scald in the Instant Pot. If you don't have non-dairy milk (soy milk, almond, oat) you can use water.
- Store in individual meal prep containers (these are the kind that I use) in the fridge for an easy grab and go breakfast. You may need to add an extra splash of milk to loosen the oats up prior to reheating.
Nutrition facts calculated using 4.5 cups of unsweetened soy milk. Does not include additional toppings. Nutrition facts may vary based on ingredients used and methods of preparation.
Cindy Minich
Perfect oatmeal and so quick. I prefer steel cut oats and this made them perfectly. Thank you,
Cassidy Reeser
Thank you!
David Lyons
Can you cook pearl barley with the steel cut oats? Standard recipes call for a cooking time of 35-40 minutes?
Cassidy Reeser
The liquid ratio will be the same but I think pearl barley will take longer, maybe 15-20 minutes (I just checked a few different recipes on google)? I am not sure how cooking the steel cut oats for that long would affect them, but as far as liquid ratios go you should be fine.
Jenna
This was delicious and cooked perfectly! Easy to reheat for breakfast all week. I didn’t have cinnamon sticks, so I just added ground cinnamon to taste.
Do you have any suggestions for making this with oat groats? I imagine it would greatly increase cooking time.
Cassidy Reeser
Hi Jenna, thanks for the review! I've honestly never cooked with oat groats but you're right that they would take more time. I just checked and see recipes anywhere from 15 minutes to 40 minutes... cook on the lower end if you soak overnight. I think it might just take some experimenting!
Marisa
Delicious and easy! The perfect combo 🙂
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Thanks Marisa! Glad you liked it 🙂
Mary
This was yum. It was a perfect addition to my food plan. I varied it by adding 1/4 tsp cloves. Thank you so much.
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Yum, I bet the cloves were a great addition! Thanks for making it!
Julie
I made this for breakfast today and it is so easy and delicious! I did not have any Dairy free milk so I just used all water. I substituted a little maple syrup for the brown sugar and skipped the cinnamon stick. I will make this again as it is so easy and delicious!
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Yum, I am sure that the maple syrup was a delicious addition! Thanks for the review 🙂
Jasmin
My insta pot has shown the burn message. This has happened twice now.
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Hi Jasmin, I'm sorry to hear you got the dreaded burn message! Did you use soy milk or water? I think the best bet is to add the liquid then the remaining ingredients. Don't stir them together (the recipe is updated to recommend this). This article is a great resource: https://www.paintthekitchenred.com/instant-pot-burn-message/?fbclid=IwAR3782NPmrO4JZKwLBHqIGPt9ZsCN3224oB3c7m3Mdi6MBRi_n2MTqaQfuw#burnmessage1
Lynette
This was the first recipe in my new instant pot. Followed the instructions exactly and got burn warning. Then I added 2 cups of extra water and got burn warning again after following instructions for burn warning. Had to tip uncooked porridge into a normal pot to cook on stove while instant pot is soaking in the sink with burnt porridge on the base that will take a lot of effort to clean up
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
I'm sorry to hear that. What model of Instant Pot did you use? Did you make any recipe changes? I'd like to help you figure out what happened if possible!
Emily
I also got the burn warning multiple times trying this recipe. Followed it exactly. Wouldn’t recommend.
Melissa
Hi there. Just wondering where I can find the nutritional facts for this? It mentions them but I don’t see them on the page? And how much is one serving?? Says it serves 4 but doesn’t say what 1 serving is.
Thanks!
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Hi Melissa, the nutrition facts only contain the calories at this time which is 371 calories per serving. One serving should be about 1.5 cups of oats but may be a little more or less just depending on how big your apples are. Hope that helps!
Michelle
Hi One more question, if I don’t have cinnamon sticks, should I put more ground cinnamon? Thanks!!
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
You can add an extra teaspoon of ground cinnamon before cooking or just add extra cinnamon to taste after cooking (this way you can adjust how cinnamon-y you want it).
Michelle
Can I double this recipe with the same cooking time?
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Yes, you can just double the ingredients and keep cook time the same. Enjoy!
Vanessa
How do you reheat this typically?
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
I usually splash the oats with a bit of milk to loosen them up and heat in the microwave for about a minute. You can also reheat in a small pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
Val
Excellent! I was looking for an instant pot recipe to replace my stovetop apple cinnamon steel cut oats! Tastes great. I used water and no brown sugar. I added a dollop of greek yogurt, a teaspoon of maple syrup, and a tablespoon of chopped walnuts to my portion. I also liked that I have extra to feed my grandsons when they come or more breakfasts ready for myself!
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
Thanks for the comment! Your additions sound delicious, especially the dollop of Greek yogurt.