How to Cook Steel Cut Oats

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

As much I love going to my favorite coffee shop for my morning java and a breakfast bite, I’m having a hard time justifying spending upwards of $10 plus tip just to start the day off on the right foot. 

I dove deep into barista mode in the past few months, learning how to make cold brew coffee and a wide array of Starbucks copycat drinks like a caramel macchiato or medicine ball tea. 

Now I’m turning my DIY lens to some of my breakfast favorites like homemade granola, smoothies, overnight oats and smoothie bowls, and all kinds of porridge. 

This simple and delicious healthy breakfast recipe for cooking steel-cut oatmeal (a.k.a. Irish oatmeal) at home has become one of my favorite new rituals. Made with just 3 basic ingredients in about 20 minutes, it’s easy enough for my sleepy brain to handle.

There’s something extremely meditative about stirring a warm, cozy pot of oats while I sip on my morning caffeine. It gives me an excuse to stay on my feet rather than slinking back to bed, plus I know that I’m feeding both my hubby and myself something deeply nourishing to sustain us until lunchtime.

Best of all, oatmeal is one of those dishes where there are approximately a gazillion variations. Apple cinnamon steel-cut oats are my current obsession, but raspberry nutella, peanut butter banana, and strawberries & cream are all close contenders. 

So, what are you waiting for? Come join me in the kitchen and learn how to nourish your body and tighten your food budget with this delicious, versatile, make-ahead-friendly breakfast with a nutty flavor. You’ll be so glad you did!

🍴Ingredients

As promised, you only need 3 basic ingredients to prepare a batch of this steel cut oats recipe. Here’s what to grab at one of your local grocery stores:

• Steel-Cut Oats - If you’re new to the world of steel-cut oats, I suggest starting out with a tin of McCann’s because I love the built-in long-term airtight storage. After that, try shopping in the bulk aisle to save some hard-earned cash!
• Oat Milk - For making your oats porridge rich and creamy. You’re also welcome to use water (less creamy), regular milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or any dairy-free option of your choice.
• Maple Syrup - For sweetening. Feel free to use brown sugar, agave nectar, honey, or any other sweetener you prefer.

Various Toppings

The best thing about making a big bowl of comforting oatmeal is that it’s basically a blank canvas for you to add as much flavor and color as you please. Here are some of my favorite toppings to top a bowl of hearty breakfast of steel-cut oats:

• Heavy Cream
• Berries (fresh or frozen)
• Fresh fruit or Dried Fruit
• Roasted Nuts
• Nut Butter or Seed Butter
• Chocolate Chips
• Stewed Pears or Apples
• Store-Bought or Homemade Jam, Compote, or Blueberry Preserves

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

The great thing about porridge is there are countless ways to make it. While I listed a bunch of options above for making a sweet bowl of cozy goodness, consider these other variations to help fit your dietary needs and preferences:

• Gluten-Free - While oats themselves are naturally gluten-free, the equipment they’re processed on may also be used to process wheat products. Opt for a brand that is certified gluten-free to make this a celiac-friendly meal with a chewy texture.
• Vegan - Stick with non-dairy, vegan liquids to keep this meal completely plant-based.
• Caffeinated - If you’re someone who likes to streamline things, consider cooking your oats in coffee so you can get your buzz while you eat your breakfast!
• Savory - Despite being served as a sweet breakfast most of the time, oats are like any other grain (e.g. farro, barley, or rice). Feel free to flip the script and make your breakfast savory (or serve oats for dinner)! Swap in chicken, beef, or veggie broth for the milk, season with salt & pepper instead of maple syrup, and add savory toppings like pickled eggs, last night’s leftovers (e.g. pulled pork, taco meat, or stir-fried tofu), and a drizzle of sriracha.

📖 Step by Step Instructions

Cooking steel-cut oats is ridiculously simple. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Heat Milk. Bring oat milk (or the liquid of your choice) to a simmer/boil on medium heat in a medium saucepan.

Step 2: Simmer. Add steel-cut oats and reduce heat to low. Simmer while the oats absorb the liquid, making sure to give it a good stir frequently.

Step 3: Garnish & Serve. Top with a drizzle of cream, splash of milk, a sprinkle of brown sugar, a handful of fresh or frozen berries, dried coconut, dried fruit, bananas, peanut butter, and/or anything else you like, then dig in!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Soak steel-cut oats in the milk (or whatever liquid you choose) overnight to make cooking them go faster in the morning. It's the best way to quicken the process the next morning!
• Make a big batch of steel-cut oats on your meal prep day to feed you all week long. Divvy into individual microwaveable containers (e.g. mason jars) and refrigerate for up to a week. So long as your toppings aren’t prone to oxidization (e.g. fresh apples, fresh bananas), you’re welcome to add them as well.
• Add a pinch of blueberry sugar around the top of your oats before enjoying for an extra boost of blueberry flavor!
• Want to use a slow cooker instead of heating on the stove top? No problem! Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray, add the ingredients into your slow cooker and allow to cook on low for 4 hours. If using quick cooking steel cut oats rather than regular steel cut oats, the cook time will reduce by half to two hours!

❄️ Storage Instructions

Cooked steel-cut oats will last for up to 7 days in a clean, airtight container in the fridge.That's breakfast for the rest of the week!

Steel-cut oats can also be frozen for up to 6 months. For easy portioning, I suggest freezing them in a well-greased muffin tin until solid. Dip the bottom of the muffin tin in warm water to help release the oatmeal pucks, then store in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. 

To reheat, defrost overnight in the fridge or using the defrost (20-30% power) function of your microwave. Then heat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding extra liquid as needed.

💭 Recipe FAQs

More Breakfast Recipes