Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal

Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is the easiest way to enjoy steel cut oats! Spend 5 minutes at night and wake up to perfectly cooked oats!

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.

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

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.

Ingredient tips

• 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

• Nut butter: No bowl of overnight oatmeal is complete without it. I adore almond butter (I get the big 2-packs of Kirkland brand from Costco), peanut butter, and sunflower seed butter.
• Berries: 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.
• For crunch: A sprinkling of mulberries for sweetness, texture, and a nutrient boost plus cinnamon. Done and done!
• Caramel apple vibe: If 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.

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.

How to make 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.

1. Instant Pot: 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.
2. Slow cooker: To cook 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 leftovers

This recipe makes a giant batch of overnight oatmeal, making breakfast a breeze! If you're cooking for one, cut the recipe in half.

Store leftovers 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.

Don't miss my other oatmeal recipes!

• Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups
• Salted Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Bites
• Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars

Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe

★★★★★ 4.9 from 45 reviews

• Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 5 mins
• Yield: 6
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

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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.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups steel cut oats (NOT quick cook)
• 4 cups water
• 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
• ½ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Bring milk, water, oats, and pinch of salt to a boil in a large pot (I use my dutch oven).
2. Let it boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring to make sure it doesn't boil over.
3. Remove from the heat (I move it to the burner behind), cover with lid, and let it sit out on the stove overnight, unrefrigerated.
4. 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.

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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.)