Instant Pot Pumpkin Oatmeal (With steel cut oats)

Name: Instant pot Pumpkin steel cut oatmeal
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup steel cut oats; 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; 1 1/2 cup water; 1 1/2 cup milk (regular or plant based); 1 tsp pumpkin spice; 2 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 tsp salt; Maple syrup; Cranberries; pecans or your choice of nuts; pumpkin seeds

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Say Hello to the fall with my Instant Pot Pumpkin Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe!

Have pumpkin pie for breakfast with this healthy Instant pot steel cut oatmeal recipe with a step-by-step recipe and video.

It is hearty, filling, healthy, and perfect for Fall breakfast with a hint of Pumpkin Pie Spice, pumpkin puree, and topped with some nuts.

pumpkin oatmeal made in instant pot and served in white bowl.

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Steel Cut oats
Why use an instant pot for cooking steel cut oatmeal?
Ingredients required
Step by step process
Notes, pro-tips, and quick FAQs
More Breakfast recipes
Instant pot Pumpkin steel cut oatmeal

Steel Cut oats

All oats come from oat groats - the whole, unbroken grains. They're then processed into different varieties of oats.

Steel Cut Oats is a type of oats with the least amount of processing compared to other oats. They're neither steamed nor rolled.

Steel-cut oats are heartier and chewier than other varieties and require quite a bit more cook time.

But with a pressure cooker, it barely takes longer to cook steel cut oats than it does old-fashioned ones!

Why use an instant pot for cooking steel cut oatmeal?

I'm often asked what my favorite thing is to cook in my Instant Pot. While I love using my Instant Pot to make Indian curries and soups, the two things that I use my instant most often are proofing the bread dough and this Instant Pot steel cut oatmeal.

Earlier I used to cook my steel cut oats on the stovetop to make oatmeal. But Pressure cooker steel cut oats are hands down the best and the easiest thing ever. Just dump the ingredients, press 2 buttons, and return to enjoy a bowl of perfectly cooked pumpkin pie oatmeal.

The reason I prefer to cook steel cut oats in my Instant Pot is

No fear of burning the oats.
no stirring or babysitting
hands-off way to cook
Consistent result (perfect chewy texture & creamy mouthfeel)
Once the oatmeal is cooked, your Instant Pot will keep it warm for you!
The best thing is the delayed timer. Use the Delay button -> breakfast is ready when you wake up!

Please note that – the cooking process for this oatmeal is hands-off – but it takes time for the instant pot to come up to pressure. I would plan for 30 to 35 minutes start to finish for this oatmeal to be on your table.

Ingredients required

Liquid – I like to use half milk and half water for making Instant Pot oatmeal because I want the creamy texture. Though feel free to use just one or the other. As long as you keep the liquid ratios the same, you are set. I have used regular milk, but you can use any plant-based milk too.
Steel cut oats - this recipe is for steel-cut oats which require more liquid and cook time. I haven't tested the Instant Pot version with quick or rolled oats though.
Pumpkin puree - either canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree works.
Pumpkin spice - I have used store-bought.
Maple syrup - for a touch of sweetness. Or feel free to sub in your favorite liquid sweeteners like honey, agave, or stevia.
Vanilla - a little hint of vanilla goes a long way here.

premeasured ingredients for steel cut oatmeal

Step by step process

Add steel cut oats in Instant Pot. Add in cold milk, water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice mix, vanilla, salt and maple syrup. Mix everything well and make sure all the steel cut oats are submerged in the liquid.

Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes.

Once 10 minutes are over, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure. Now Open the lid carefully.

collage of making stee cut oats in instant pot

The steel cut oats will look watery when you first open the lid. Give it a few quick stirs with a spatula to combine and thicken the steel cut oats.

Take it into a serving bowl. Jazz it with pecans (or your choice of nuts), maple syrup, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and some more milk(It’s optional, I like it a bit liquidy so I have added).

Enjoy your Instant pot pumpkin oatmeal.

Notes, pro-tips, and quick FAQs

Be sure to buy Steel Cut Oats with no added sugars, flavorings, or preservatives if your purpose in eating Oatmeal is to be healthy.
The steel cut oats will look watery when you first open the lid. Give it a few quick stirs with a spatula to combine and thicken the steel cut oats.
You can double or triple the recipe by using the same Oats: liquid Ratio without changing the cooking time. But do not fill your pressure cooker more than halfway full with steel cut oats, as it is a foamy food.

Are Steel Cut Oats Healthier than Other Oats?

Though Steel Cut Oats are the least processed, the differences in nutrition are less.
The only major difference is Steel Cut Oats is lower on the Glycemic Index (a measurement of the rise in blood sugar) than other oats varieties.

What is the liquid to steel cut oats ratio?

I prefer a 1:3 (steel cut oats: liquid) ratio and that's what the Instant pot cooking chart recommends.

What is the cooking time for instant pot steel cut oats?

Cook for 5 minutes if you prefer al dente oatmeal or 10 minutes if you like softer oatmeal. I like creamy yet chewy texture so I go in for 10 minutes.

What other topping I can add?

Plain oatmeal - If you don't want to use pumpkin in your oatmeal, skip the pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree.
Nut Butter. Stir a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter like Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
Seeds for some extra nutrition - hemp hearts, flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc.
Apple – Chop 1 or 2 apples into small pieces, and stir them into the Instant Pot before cooking.
Fresh berries – Top your oats with your favorite fresh berries. Blueberry and strawberry are two of our favorites.

How to store?

Instant pot oatmeal keeps well, which makes it great for meal prep! You can store cooled pumpkin oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Never tried freezing them so no idea.
Before you heat leftover oatmeal, you'll want to add a splash of water or milk to make up for the loss of moisture during storage. Microwave it until warm.

Do give this recipe a try. A bowl of this warm and cozy Instant Pot oatmeal will help start your day on a great note, especially during cold mornings! You can easily make it ahead of time and reheat the next day!