These custard style steel cut oats take creamy and comforting to a whole new level! It's like a slice of banana bread and a dreamy bowl of banana pudding all in one!
I've been making my family steel cut oats for breakfast for several years now (example here and here). It's fast, yummy, and loaded with fuel for their day. However, that means they are plenty sick of it by now and I've got to start thinking of more creative ways to present it before they start refusing to eat it. Well this Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Banana Custard Steel Cut Oats is THE answer!
This post is sponsored by Bob's Red Mill ❤, and today's recipe highlights their very popular Steel Cut Oats.
These Custard Style Oats are still every bit as good for you as the recipes above, but with the addition of milk and eggs and a tiny bit of butter, oh my heavens these oats are ridiculous!
Think of the best tasting banana bread you've ever had in your entire life, then make it spoonable, creamy, warm and downright huggable, and that is what this bowl of oatmeal is.
Serve it to your family with a side of Frozen Whipped Cream Dollops, fresh sliced bananas, walnuts, and mini chocolate chips, and I promise you, they will not be groaning over having oatmeal again for at least a solid 2 years.
Let me know what you think!
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Question of the day: What surprise did you receive for Valentines Day?
I received the shock of a lifetime when I woke up to a bouquet of roses from an extremely forgetful husband! My kids killed it in the “I Love You Mom” personalized Valentines dept. I hope your day was filled with love in one form or another!
Don't forget to get your hands on this Ultimate Guide for Perfect Pressure Cooker Oats. You'll refer to it time and time again, I promise! Also if you're not convinced you want to eat oats, check out this post to get the low down on why Oats are so good for you and your family. (Chart below created by Brit Alexis Creative)
Tools/Ingredients used to make Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Banana Custard Steel Cut Oats
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Pressure Cooker Banana Bread Custard Steel Cut Oats

Smells like fresh Banana Bread from the oven, tastes like a dreamy bowl of sweet banana pudding. Perfect way to start the day!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 5-6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pressure cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk will work)
- 2 large bananas, mashed
- 1 cup sliced bananas
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 1 ½ quart or larger heat safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. To a large mixing bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Add 1 ½ cups of water to the pressure cooker pot and place trivet inside. Place dish on the trivet using a silicone or tin foil sling to make for easier removal. Secure the lid and turn pressure cooker knob to a sealed position. Cook at high pressure for 40 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, use a natural release for 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
- Optional: Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and place under the broiler for a sweet crunchy topping or stir the oatmeal and serve hot with a frozen whipped cream dollop, milk, walnuts, extra banana slices, or mini chocolate chips.
Notes
- This oatmeal can be made up the night before, stored in the fridge, then cooked in the morning. This oatmeal doesn’t cook up quick, but when prepped beforehand, it makes for a super easy, healthy breakfast.
- Omit walnuts or sprinkle them on top of individual bowls if needed to make all diners happy.
Keywords: healthy breakfast, instant pot breakfast, easy recipe
Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe's Blueberry and Almond Baked Steel Cut Oats

I think I’ll cook this and divide into containers for the week and heat up as needed the morning of and top with berries and Greek yogurt. Sounds yummy and the eggs provide some protein!
Jane, yes! Yum, that would be delicious 🙂
I made this with my 7 cup glass Pyrex. I only had quick oats on hand so I modified with 1-1/4 cups water in the instant pot and cooked for 27 min, took lid off and checked, then put on lid and then cooked for another 5 min. Turned out as well as expected. A bit mushy day of, but then next day was great texture when reheated. Also seemed really sweet right after making it, but next day the flavors seemed to mellow out a bit. Thanks for so may awesome recipes!!!! 🙂 I will try again using steel oats when I purchase some.
★★★★★
Gentle suggestion, especially for us nubes: tell us not to cover the inner pot it on the body of the recipe. I have mine cooking in a rice crock that came with my machine. In the absence of direction, I have the lid on it. Happily I noticed in the comments that you said it might just take a little longer, but I still think I’d good to tell us. I’ll let you know how much we love it soon!
Donna, good thinking, thanks Donna. Let me know how it goes!
Hello! Confirming I don’t cover the baking dish before I put it in the IP. Also, I think I only have square glass baking dishes. Could I use a cake pan? Any other suggestions? Thank you!
Kristen, You’re right, I don’t cover it. And a cake pan works great 🙂
I made the night before and refrigerated in my Corning Ware bowl. Now I am concerned about the bowl breaking (because it is cold) when I cook it in the Instant Pot. Did you have any issues with this? In the future I won’t leave it in the Corning Ware bowl overnight I guess.
I ended up warming the container in a bit of warm water for a few minutes. I don’t know if that was necessary or not. I used 2 cups water in the Instant Pot because I have an 8 quart IP. This turned out really well. I used some very ripe bananas that had been frozen. Yum.
★★★★★
Rebecca, my kids are kind of tired of oatmeal, but they still cheer for this one! I’ve cooked it straight from the fridge many times without problems, but I definitely feel like your choice was smart, I do that with the mason jar oats if I make them up the night before. I’m glad you liked it! I adore the smell of this one 🙂
Hey. Just a question. Your photo looks like a cake which I assume has a softer inner than a cake and when I pressure cooked pip it was ery steamed looking. I popped it on bake for 20 mins to see if top would look more like your photo though she was still well n truly steamed. The steel cut oats were quite cruchy after the initial pressure cook and 20 mins baking. I guess im not really sure what its supposed to be like?
Dellis, It’s like scooping into thick oatmeal, so it’s not sliceable like a cake, it’s spoonable like you would eat your oats. And the oats shouldn’t be crunchy anymore! Make sure and stir the mixture really well before cooking it, and if you keep having the undercooked problem, cook them for another 5-10 minutes.
Thanks heaps. Will try a longer cook time. Was delicious and have another on the go as we speak
Hi! Is this recipe for the mini instant pot size? Or the full size? Thanks!
Danille, you would need a 6 quart for this one, I don’t think you could find a dish deep enough to fit all of it in a 3 quart. I would half the recipe for the 3 quart and put it in a smaller baking dish. Let me know if you try it!
Thank you. Once again, this was wonderful. Your blueberry recipe is on the menu for tomorrow. I can’t imagine how you dream up so many great recipes.
★★★★★
Barb, haha, the recipe ideas are constantly flowing through my brain. I should really use some of that brain space to decorate my home! I’m glad you loved it! My kids can smell this in the mornings and know exactly what we’re having.
I just put the cover on this, but now I’m wondering if this requires foil or something on the top while cooking? Read all of the replies and can’t wait for it to get done. It fits perfectly in a 1 1/2 qt. Pyrex bowl.
Barb, my family loves these oats! I don’t cover this one, it might take a little longer cooking time if you did cover it. I know that stands true with cheesecakes anyways
Im looking forward to trying this but I am unsure of the bowl I could use inside my IP. What type of bowl do you use or suggest? Thank you, love your recipes
★★★★★
Cindy, It fills a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish, so if you have an oven-safe glass or metal container, that should work as well!
Oh yum! This is SOOOO good! I just served it warm with a little whipped cream! This would be great for breakfast, a snack or dessert! This is my 4th recipe with my new instant pot and I’m loving it!
★★★★★
Wendy, My kids love this with frozen whipped cream balls, cools it down and tastes amazing. This has to be my favorite oatmeal ever 🙂
It has a good flavor but both times I’ve tried to make this (increased time by 11mins 2nd time) the oats are still crunchy
★★
Heather, Hmmm…weird. What kind of bowl are you using?
Can you make the banana bread oatmeal recipe with the PIP method just inside the stainless steel instant pot? What will the ratio of liquid to steel cut oats. I have the eggs and bananas and everything all as stated in the recipe but I realize it is for the PIP method not regular in pot method. Thanks
Monique, the problem I kept running into was that the mixture was so custard-y it would burn to the bottom. If you added another cup or 2 of water, it would probably work, it would just be a different texture than the custard style version here. The flavors would be wonderful though.
So I made the recipe in the normal instant pot last week without PIP and your right it was way too much custard. It was super good though. I figured i would try PIP today I am using just a Pyrex glass container and hopefully it will come out just as expected. I really love my instant pot I have only had it for a few weeks but I am so grateful for it.
Monique, You are going to love this new cooking adventure!
So happy to report that I made this oatmeal yesterday PIP method and had some this morning. It is the most delicious oatmeal that I have ever had in my life. I have eaten alot of oatmeal over the years and this recipe is simply the best. I might try other flavors with this method maybe apple cinnamon, blueberry or pumpkin spice.
I have tried make this today and it was delicious!
I forgot add baking powder in. Lol. Still look like your photo and taste sooooo good! Defo keep that recipe for future.
★★★★★
Jay, I’m so glad you liked it! This one never gets old for my family
I cannot find the steel cut oats where I live. However, I have a bag of Red Mill extra thick rolled oats. Can I substitute these for the steel cut?
Holli, They definitely wouldn’t cook like the steel cut oats would, but I suspect it could be really good. It wouldn’t need as much water or cooking time I suspect. If you experiment, let me know! Of course, you can always find steel cut oats on amazon.
Marci …… you are really funny …… I’m sure you didn’t mean your *forgetable* husband honoured you on Valentine’s Day ……. forgetful maybe? …… ROFLOL!!!!
Barbara, I’m glad you can’t see my red cheeks right now! Grammar error fixed, thank you!
Marci, Just wondering if your pressure cooker recipes can be used in a crock pot? I do not have a pressure cooker. They sound so good and I’d love to try them!
Jenny, I’m sure many of them could be adapted to the slow cooker, but I haven’t used my slow cooker in 7 years since I bought a pressure cooker!