Perfect Instant Pot Oatmeal! Get ready to fall in love with oats all over again! Why you should eat oats, how to cook them to perfection in your pressure cooker, and more all discussed below!
I've got an all-new, month-long series for you! If you've been around here long, you know I love a good series (Extracts, Gifts Series, Yogurt Button Lovin', Soup, Crusty Breads etc), I just can't be stopped.
Since February is the official Heart Health Month, I'm rolling out a series that will make all of our cardiovascular systems run more smoothly. I'm declaring February the official TIDBITS month for all things Oats!!! Totally deserving of 3 exclamation points and I couldn't be more excited about the incredible oatmeal recipes I'm sending your way.
Bob's Red Mill will be sponsoring this Oats series and I'm thrilled as can be to be working with them. I love working with brands that make eating healthy easier. Bob's Red Mill has a huge variety of products that are wholesome, whole grain, and for those who need it, certified gluten-free. To jive with this Breakfast theme, I'll be squeezing in a couple extra breakfast recipes here and there this month that my family absolutely loves. What do you think? Are you excited? Cuz I'm excited! Let's do this!
To kick it off, let me give you 5 important reasons why you should eat oats. Oats are considered to be a powerhouse food for good reason and I'm thrilled to put on my Practitioner hat for just a few moments here to convince you to get more of them in your life!
5 Reasons Oats need to be a Part of Your Day
Oats are 100% Whole Grain
Whole grain (whether it be wheat, oats, rice, etc) means that the nutrient rich bran and germ parts of the grain haven't been removed like in all-purpose white flour, white rice, etc. This means more vitamins, minerals, and overall fiber. Oats are also one of the most versatile gluten free whole grains for substitutions in pancakes, muffins, cookies, etc. Just be sure to look for labels that say “Gluten Free” since some oats are made on the same machines that package grains that contain gluten.
Oats Decrease LDL AKA Bad Cholesterol
Studies show that regular intake of oatmeal can decrease risk of heart disease, which is likely related to its ability to lower LDL/Bad Cholesterol. High LDL's increase the risk of heart disease in the form of strokes and heart attacks so keeping those numbers low is very important.
Oats are Good for the Belly
Oats are loaded with soluble fiber which means healthier digestion, more regular bowels, and an increased growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. With our busy, stressful lifestyles, our bellies can really take a hit. Regular intake of Oats can help prevent or treat these issues.
Oats are Filling
Oats do an amazing job filling your bellies and keeping you satisfied for several hours. Oats digest slowly and steadily to give you more stable glucose levels and longer lasting energy. Because of these benefits, oats have also shown to help with weight loss by increasing a feeling of satiety (satisfied fullness).
Oats are Easy to Make
Not only are oats a total powerhouse, but they are also so easy to prep, cook, and eat! You can make them in a microwave, on the stove top, in the oven, or of course, my favorite, in your pressure cooker. You can eat them hot in a bowl, crunchy on top of yogurt, or on-the-go in the form of a bar. Seriously, there is not a more convenient whole grain out there!
And if all of that is not enough, then how about the fact that they are just straight up delicious!
For example:
Bakery Edition Mason Jar Steel Cut Oats
and my families favorite, Peaches and Cream Steel Cut Oats
For the series this month I'm going to cover recipes for the most commonly used varieties.
Steel Cut Oats
These oats take the longest to cook and are basically just chopped up oat groat (which is what's found in the hull of the oat grain). They have a deliciously chewy and creamy texture and have been an ever-increasing favorite over the past few years.
Old Fashioned AKA Rolled Oats
These oats are what you get after the oat groat has been steamed and rolled which means they come to us thinner and partially cooked. They maintain some chew when eaten as your morning oatmeal but they are also great for baked goods and granola.
Quick Rolled Oats
Quick oats are steamed and rolled the same as Old Fashioned Oats, but are even thinner and more broken down. This means a very quick cook time and very little texture or chew once prepared.
Wait, There's More!
While these are the 3 most common forms of oats consumed by us all, there are more varieties of oats I still plan on exploring and sharing, like the ones pictured here. I especially love these Extra Thick Rolled Oats for making granola and I use the Oat Groats for making oat flour in my Nutrimill (more on milling grains here)
Ultimate Guide to Perfect Pressure Cooked Oats
I've got some incredible oat recipes to come for you this month, but in the meantime, here is your Ultimate Guide to Perfect Pressure Cooked Oats. My family ate A LOT of oatmeal this past month to get this chart perfected! Follow this chart and your oats will be perfectly cooked every time without any bottom of the pot scorching or waterlogged, undercooked breakfasts.
A printable version of this time chart is available to my TIDBITS newsletter subscribers. If you are not yet subscribed to my newsletter, you can do so here and the printable will be immediately emailed to you. Thank you
Be sure and Pin and share this ultimate Perfect Pressure Cooking Chart with your friends and family! Their hearts will love you for it ❤❤❤
Tools/Food Used to Make Perfect Pressure Cooker Oats (AKA Instant Pot)
Bob's Red Mill:
Check out these other Bob's Red Mill inspired recipes
Any kind of fruit is my favorite oatmeal topping; especially strawberries! Raisins are good, too!
Love me some cinnamon and raisens.
I love a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar. With lots of craisons!
I did have a flour grinder, but never did oat groats. We ground wheat, rye and a few others. It was a hand grinder, good exercise, also, it didn’t grind powdery fine. It is so easy and fast. I’ve never noticed Bob’s Scottish Oatmeal before, I need to check it out!! It would be fun to add it to scones. We grew up on scones, from my Scottish grandmother and mom, not the fancy kind you see today, but delish, without eggs, rolled out and cut into rounds, cooked on the pancake grill, and we’d split them open with a fork, and have with jam.
Rosie, The scones sound incredible! I’ve never had anything like that. I haven’t tested out the Scottish Oatmeal yet, but I’m excited to see what the pressure cooker can do with it.
Crumbled cookie pieces. Everything is better with cookies. <3
Nicole, Haha! Really can’t go wrong with that!
Cinnamon ^^
Peanut butter is my far my favorite topping. I think I put it on every flavor of oatmeal!
Hannah, Warm peanut butter drizzle, yummmmmmmm!
Peaches 🙂
My favorite oatmeal topping is simply brown sugar!
My husband wrote me a beautiful poem, himself. 31 years of marriage and he has never written a poem. I love it!
Monica, that is absolutely priceless!
My favorite topping are Bob’s Red Mill dried cherries and some coconut. Bob’s cherries are by far the best I’ve ever had, I got them on a whim once. I love their oatmeal, too.
Rosie, I’ve never tried the cherries. I need to hunt those down now!
My favorite topping for oatmeal is blueberries! Thank you for the handy chart!
Susan, Yes! Blueberries are perfect for oatmeal. You’ll love the chart 🙂
Mmmm…maple syrup and a bit of butter!
Christina, I’ve never added butter to the top of my oatmeal, and now I’m wondering why I’ve never thought of that 🙂
homemade strawberry jam!
Tanya, Yum, that sounds amazing!
I love a sprinkle of cinnamon, dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit pieces!!
Banana, apples
I just made this and it’s simply delicious! I can’t wait to add peanut and bananas tomorrow morning!
Christine, so delightfully simple, right?!
Pecans, cinnamon and dark maple syrup.
My new year’s resolution is to eat a whole-foods plant-based diet. I’ve transitioned to eating Bob’s Red Mill quick-cooking steel cut oats made in the slow cooker topped with unsweetened almond milk and frozen blueberries. It is quite delicious, even when made without salt or sugar.
Kim, this is how I prefer to eat mine as well! All sweetened with fruit. My family very much disagrees with me though :). To each their own, right!
I love Bob’s Red Mill! And my favorite toppings brown sugar, butter, and cream. Now I’m hungry!
Brought up eating mine with raisins and maple syrup. Still a favorite.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tate-Lyles-Golden-Syrup-454g/dp/B0001590BY
This is a Syrup I was brought up with in South Africa it is yummy 🙂
Cinnamon
Maple syrup, bananas, and homemade vanilla almond milk
Craisins and pecans!!
My favorite topping is chopped apples with walnuts, cinnamon and honey.
Hey! Don’t forget oat bran! Super yummy and nutritious and Bob’s carries it too!
Barbara, I adore oat bran! I use it in place of wheat bran nearly 100% of the time :).
Have you used it instead of regular oatmeal? It’s higher in protein and fiber than regular oatmeal and cooks up fabulously in the microwave. If you want all the benefits with fewer calories and higher protein & fiber in your morning oatmeal, oat bran is the way to go!
I’ve never even thought of using it IN PLACE of oats. I’ll have to try that! Thanks for the tip!
Cinnamon Maple Toasted Pecans
My fav topping is peaches and golden syrup
Marty, Tell me! What is Golden Syrup?
Sorry I replied on a new comment oops
https://www.amazon.ca/Tate-Lyles-Golden-Syrup-454g/dp/B0001590BY
It is a syrup I was brought up on in South Africa it is yummy
Wow, that looks amazing! I just ordered it, I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for introducing me to something new!
you are welcome enjoy !!!!!!
I love your cinnamon maple syrup recipe and use it generously!! I also tried peach melba oats recently and peaches and raspberries in oatmeal is divine!!
Lacey, That syrup is a perfect match for oatmeal isn’t it!?
Love some dark brown sugar on my oats, but usually like my oats to BE the topping in my yogurt.
Steel cut oats are delicious and easy in the Instant Pot. Love them. I usually make them with milk or a blend of milk and water. Our favorites are blueberries, cinnamon and nuts or apples cinnamon and nuts. PLUS almost always a spoonful of homemade nut butter! Adds depth, flavor, protein, nutrients. And is just plain delicious.
I love blueberries as a topping!
Oh I love any kind of jam, fresh fruit, coconut granola bites, walnuts and pb. Totally heaven in a bowl.☺️
My favorite topping is a little maple syrup and unsweetened vanilla almond milk–love my oats!!
Blackberries with a sprinkle of brown sugar.
Love your pumpkin steel cut oats recipe with that drizzle of chocolate syrup!
Nancy, My family never gets Tired of that one 🙂
My favorite oatmeal is pressure cooker apple cinnamon oats. The only topping needed is a splash of milk, unless you count the spoon. 🙂
I love a little brown sugar with pecans on my steel cut oats. My favorite breakfast!!! I am so excited about this!! Thank you!
Any fruit!! dried or fresh is a winner in my book. Sprinkle of brown sugar for sweetness. Glorious.
My favorite topping is raspberries and almonds with homemade almond extract–cant’ get enough of them!
Karen, bonus for the homemade almond extract! Isn’t it such a pretty flavor?!
it is and I am forever grateful to you for that recipe! I had tried and tried to make almond extract–for years! Who knew that Peaches were the key? 😉
My favorite topping is blueberries and granola.
My favorite toppings are peanut butter and banana, preferably together but works separate too!
My favorite topping has to be whipped peanut butter!
Allison, Whoa, what? Whipped Peanut Butter sounds magical. What is it and where can I find it? Or are you just whipping it with a spoon and I’m embarrassing myself right now 🙂
My favorite oatmeal toppings are a drizzle of maple syrup, a little cinnamon, toasted walnuts, and Bob’s Red Mill date crumbles.
I can’t pick just one; I have to go with cinnamon and drizzle of maple syrup.
My favorite topping is fresh peaches ????, but I’m going to have to try your idea and add raspberries next time. Sounds delectable! We usually bake our oatmeal.
Walnuts, blueberries, and cacao nibs are my faves
I love a splash of heavy cream and Maple syrup. Good Morning Sunshine!
My favorite toppings are crushed up Granola with figs !
My go-to topping is plain ol’ honey???? ????????