This Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is the easiest, foolproof way to enjoy healthy steel cut oats! Spend five minutes preparing it at night and wake up to perfectly cooked oatmeal in the morning.
I’ve been making this beauty of a recipe for YEARS.
Ya see, I found the genius method of cooking steel cut oats overnight on the internet ages ago and have perfected it over time. Because who wants to wait 30 minutes for oatmeal to cook? Not this lady!
Now it’s second nature to us to make a big batch of oats for the week because it makes eating a healthy, yummy breakfast SO quick and easy. This recipe also makes a lot, because you know how much I appreciate leftovers.
Any oatmeal you don’t finish you can use in in these splendid Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins! Too soon for pumpkin? Never.
This creamy Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal takes just minutes to prepare, is super cheap, and makes enough to last me and the big eater next to me for days. It’s approachable, affordable, and accessible health at its finest. Miracle breakfast situation, ya hear?
What’s the Difference Between Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats?
Now when it comes to the anatomy of oatmeal, there’s instant oats, old fashioned rolled oats, steel cut oats, and oat groats. Oat groats are the most natural state of oats, the whole hulled kernel of the oat grain.
Steel cut oats are the least processed of the oat varieties, meaning they take the longest to cook. While these varieties differ in processing, the nutritional value is pretty much the same.
If you’re like me and don’t want to stand over the stove for half an hour, this Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is made for your face.
How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal
Full of fiber, plant protein, and whole grain goodness, Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is a GLORIOUS way to start the day, especially when the full Tupperware is ready to go and all you have to do is throw it in the microwave and top to your heart’s content.
I use these 36oz glass containers to store leftovers. To make this ridonculously simple recipe, all you have to do is bring oats, water, and almond milk to a boil for 2 minutes, cover, remove from heat, and let it sit out overnight (not in the refrigerator).
That’s it! I use my trusty 5-qt dutch oven for cooking, which I use for pretty much everything.
Now let’s talk ingredients! I typically get my steel cut oats at Aldi (traditional, not quick cook) because they’re the most affordable. I keep several containers of it on hand at all times.
For the milk, I use whatever store brand unsweetened vanilla almond milk I have on hand, which is either the Aldi brand of Kroger’s Simple Truth brand. It makes it nice and creamy.
If you like sweeter oatmeal, you could use an original milk that’s sweetened or add brown sugar/honey/maple syrup to to your liking. You could also use all water if you’re not on team creamy oatmeal.
Topping Ideas for Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal
You guys know how much I love nut butter, and no bowl of oatmeal is complete without it.
My go to is this date pecan butter because it’s sweet and salty and heavenly, but I also adore almond butter (I get the big 2-packs of Kirkland brand from Costco), peanut butter, and sunflower seed butter. P.S. did you know pecans have more antioxidants than any other nut?!
When it’s summer and they’re in season, fresh blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries make the best toppings. When it’s fall or winter, I heat up frozen wild blueberries instead. A
fter the nut butter and berries goes a sprinkling of mulberries for sweetness, texture, and a nutrient boost plus cinnamon. Done and done!
When I’m not feeling the nut butter route, I love doing a pat of butter, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, chopped crisp apple, and a pinch of salt. It legit tastes like a caramel apple!
Are Steel Cut Oats Gluten-Free?
Oats do not contain gluten. This gets confusing because they are often processed in facilities that do process grains with gluten, which means risking cross-contamination. If you are avoiding gluten for personal or health reasons, be on the lookout for steel cut oats that indicate they’re certified gluten-free on the label.
Making Oatmeal in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
If you’re looking for quicker method, I’ve made steel cut oatmeal in the Instant Pot using 2 cups of steel cut oats, 3 cups of water, 3 cups of almond milk, and a good pinch of salt.
Cover with lid and turn the top to sealing. Cook on high pressure (“manual”) for 4 minutes. When it’s done, allow the pressure to release manually for 20 minutes.
The oats will thicken as they sit. I like mine more like porridge, but if you like them thicker, cut back on the liquid.
To cook steel cut oats in a 4-6 quart slow cooker, first spray vessel very well with cooking spray. Use ingredient proportions below and combine in a slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook on low for 7-8 hours or overnight. Easy!
How to Store Leftover Oatmeal
This recipe makes a giant batch of overnight oatmeal, making breakfast a breeze! If you’re cooking for one, cut the recipe in half.
- You can store leftover overnight steel cut oatmeal in the refrigerator for a week and in the freezer for months. In order to reheat, simply mix your desired portion of steel cut oats with a little water or milk and warm it in the microwave or on the stove.
- You can also freeze leftover steel cut oatmeal in pre-portioned containers for busy mornings and transfer them to the refrigerator the night before so they’re ready to go in the morning. I like these glass containers for meal prep.
Please let me know how this overnight steel cut oatmeal recipe turns out for you by leaving a star rating and/or comment! I hope you adore it as much as I do.
CRAVING MORE OATMEAL GOODNESS? DON’T MISS MY OTHER GO-TO OATMEAL RECIPES:
- Banana Zucchini Overnight Oats
- Salted Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Bites
- Blueberry Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal
- Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars
- Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups
Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 5 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is the easiest, foolproof way to enjoy healthy steel cut oats! Spend five minutes preparing it at night and wake up to perfectly cooked oatmeal in the morning.
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats (NOT quick cook)
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring milk, water, oats, and pinch of salt to a boil in a large pot (I use my dutch oven).
- Let it boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring to make sure it doesn’t boil over.
- Remove from the heat (I move it to the burner behind), cover with lid, and let it sit out on the stove overnight, unrefrigerated.
- In the morning, remove lid, stir, heat, and eat! I like to top mine with nut butter and berries or butter, maple syrup, crisp apples, and salt. Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This makes enough to feed me and Jeff for breakfast for several days. Feel free to cut in half if you’re cooking for one.
- Do not substitute old-fashioned oats. Only steel-cut will work in this recipe. (Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.)
Made this recipe several weeks back when you posted in on your insta stories…so good and creamy!! This will be a weekly meal prep staple as the weather gets cooler!
★★★★★
So glad!!! Can’t wait to make a pumpkin version 🙂
I am looking for the pumpkin version and can’t find it. Can you share it please?
Hi! Not sure what you mean?
WOW!!! Oatmeal is one of my favorites, and I’ve been hoping for a great overnight recipe to come along.
So, peanut butter and almond butter has never occurred to me. I will try anything, once.
Also, if I may share, I always add raisins and cinnamon to mine. As I’m writing this it also occurs to me chopped up dried figs and dates might go well too. Pecans are swell and so are walnuts.
Like most of your recipes Alexis, this one is definitely a keeper.
Stay Blessed :^)
★★★★
Love cinnamon! Let me know what I can do to make it 5 Stars.
Too many ads on the page! I can barely see the recipe or write a review!
WOW!!! Oatmeal is one of my favorites, and I’ve been hoping for a great overnight recipe to come along.
So, peanut butter and almond butter has never occurred to me. I will try anything, once.
Also, if I may share, I always add raisins and cinnamon to mine. As I’m writing this it also occurs to me chopped up dried figs and dates might go well too. Pecans are swell and so are walnuts.
Like most of your recipes Alexis, this one is definitely a keeper.
Stay Blessed :^)
★★★★
Love cinnamon! Let me know what I can do to make it 5 Stars.
Thanks for posting this! I saw it on your stories and wanted to make it but then I forgot what you did haha. I have never done overnight oats because I reallyyyyy struggle with the thought of eating cold oats, so the fact that you heat this up again in the morning is a major selling point for me! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Yay! They’re nothing like typical overnight oats because they’re cooked, not raw. Way better in my opinion!
Thanks for posting this! I saw it on your stories and wanted to make it but then I forgot what you did haha. I have never done overnight oats because I reallyyyyy struggle with the thought of eating cold oats, so the fact that you heat this up again in the morning is a major selling point for me! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Yay! They’re nothing like typical overnight oats because they’re cooked, not raw. Way better in my opinion!
I honestly had given up on cooking steel cut oats just because of the time! I cannot wait to try this method; thanks for sharing! BTW, team Aldi all the way 🙂
I honestly had given up on cooking steel cut oats just because of the time! I cannot wait to try this method; thanks for sharing! BTW, team Aldi all the way 🙂
I cannot wait to try this! My MIL was just asking about steel cut oats, so I sent her this recipe. 🙂
I cannot wait to try this! My MIL was just asking about steel cut oats, so I sent her this recipe. 🙂
How do you portion it out in the morning? Just wondering what the serving size of the cooked oats is? I’m the same way with PB vs almond butter as a topper. Almond butter only on oats, PB for sandwiches 🙂
The serving depends on the person—I fill my bowl and eat till I’m full 🙂
After I asked the question I realized that’s how you’d answer 🙂 . Thanks! Trying this tonight!
How do you portion it out in the morning? Just wondering what the serving size of the cooked oats is? I’m the same way with PB vs almond butter as a topper. Almond butter only on oats, PB for sandwiches 🙂
The serving depends on the person—I fill my bowl and eat till I’m full 🙂
After I asked the question I realized that’s how you’d answer 🙂 . Thanks! Trying this tonight!
Do you think it is safe to keep this on the stove overnight if I use homemade almond milk that has no preservatives?
Yep
Do you think it is safe to keep this on the stove overnight if I use homemade almond milk that has no preservatives?
Yep
I rarely cook my oats overnight, mostly I just cook them in a rush in the morning (if I even do, since I’m always so last minute!). This recipe would be a nice change to help with my time in the morning! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Give it a go!
I rarely cook my oats overnight, mostly I just cook them in a rush in the morning (if I even do, since I’m always so last minute!). This recipe would be a nice change to help with my time in the morning! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Give it a go!