Steel-Cut Oats Breakfast Bowl
A steel-cut oats breakfast bowl is a fantastic way to start the day because it’s packed with fiber, offering a hearty, satisfying breakfast that keeps you full for longer. Its nutty flavor and chewy texture pair perfectly with a variety of toppings, making it both nutritious and versatile.
I like regular oatmeal and healthy overnight oatmeal as much as the next person but, give me a choice, and I’ll pick the steel-cut variety over traditional rolled oats any day of the week. It’s the texture that I love so much because they don’t get mushy and have a nice chewy texture.
We have a lot of healthy easy vegan breakfast recipes on this website including our peanut granola cereal, this avocado toast recipe, and my simple waffle oil-free hash browns in minutes.
What are steel-cut oats?
All of the varieties of oatmeal–traditional, quick cooking, steel cut–start out as oat groats aka oat berries which are the whole unbroken grains. The difference between them is how they are processed and cut.
The reason I prefer steel-cut oats over traditional and quick-cooking oats is because of their chewy texture and the fact that they are the least processed. Because of this, they also take a little longer to cook.
Steel-cut oats are cut instead of flattened which allows them to maintain some bulk and creates a chewy nutty flavor which I really like. They are more granola-ish than traditional oatmeal.
While nutritionally speaking, all oatmeal is very similar, steel-cut oats do have a slightly lower glycemic index making them even better for those with diabetes.
Ingredients you will need
- Steel-cut oats- They have a heartier texture and a nuttier flavor than regular rolled oats, making them more satisfying and flavorful. Additionally, they are less processed, which helps retain more of their natural fiber and nutrients, keeping you fuller for longer and supporting digestive health.
- Banana- Adding a ripe banana naturally sweetens the dish without the need for added sugars, while also providing a creamy texture.
- Plant milk- Using plant milk adds a creamy, rich texture while keeping the dish dairy-free and vegan. It also enhances the flavor, offering a subtle sweetness or nuttiness depending on the type of plant milk used, making your oats even more delicious and nutritious.
- Cinnamon- A warm, comforting spice that complements the oats’ natural nuttiness. Cinnamon also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making your breakfast not only tastier but also healthier.
- Toppings- Nuts, fresh fruit, berries, peanut butter, and chia or flax make great healthy topping options.
Pro tips and suggestions
- Cooking Time– For the stovetop method, the cooking time is 20-30 minutes. The longer the steel-cut oats are cooked, the creamier they become.
- Salt– Many people add a pinch of salt while cooking, but I don’t and never miss any flavor.
- Banana– I highly recommend including a ripe banana for sweetening naturally.
- Creaminess– Using plant milk or a mixture of half plant milk and half water is preferred over just water. It adds flavor and creaminess. Any plant milk–almond, soy, rice, etc–works great.
How to cook steel-cut oats
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
There are a number of different ways to cook steel-cut oats, so you can choose the method that best suits your preference. My personal favorite is to make them in the microwave because I have it down to an art, and it takes a lot less time. It’s also great for making single servings.
Microwave directions
STEP #1: Choose a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and measure out 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats. Add 1 cup plant milk and 1/2 of a ripe banana to sweeten.
Microwave on medium heat for 2 minutes.
STEP #2: After the first 2 minutes, carefully use a fork to mash the banana that is now very soft. The bowl will be hot, so handle it with care.
Stir it well, place it back in the microwave, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Once it is finished, add ground cinnamon, crushed walnuts, raisins, and fresh berries to serve. Total Time: 4 minutes.
Stovetop directions
- To make steel-cut oats on the stovetop, you’ll want to make more than one serving because saucepans are just large.
- Bring 4 cups of plant milk or water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1 ripe banana. Cover and lower the heat. Allow to cook for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Once it has finished cooking, add cinnamon, raisins, and fresh fruit. Total Time: 20-30 minutes.
Instant Pot directions
- Due to the size of an Instant Pot, you will want to make more than an individual serving.
- Add 3 cups of plant milk or water to the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1 ripe banana.
- Close and lock the lid, press the MANUAL button, and set the timer to 4 minutes. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes for the pressure to build up before the cooking timer begins.
- Once it beeps, allow it to release for 10 minutes naturally. Slide to VENT and carefully open the lid. Add cinnamon, raisins, and fresh fruit to serve. Total Time: 25-30 minutes.
Topping ideas
- Cinnamon
- Crushed walnuts
- Fresh fruit
- Frozen berries
- Peanut butter
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and others
Frequently Asked Questions
Steel-cut oats typically take about 20-30 minutes to cook on the stovetop, depending on your desired texture. For a quicker option, you can soak them overnight to reduce the cooking time to around 10-15 minutes.
Yes, steel-cut oats can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or plant milk to restore their creamy consistency.
The recommended ratio is 4:1, meaning four cups of water to one cup of steel-cut oats. This ratio produces a creamy texture, but you can adjust it to suit your preference—use less water for thicker oats or more for a soupier consistency.
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Steel-Cut Oats Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup steel cut oats
- 1 cup plant milk or water
- 1/2 ripe banana
- pinch ground cinnamon
- fresh or frozen fruit for toppings
- 1 teaspoon crush walnuts optional
- 1 tablespoon raisins optional
Instructions
- Choose a medium-size microwave-safe bowl and measure out 1/4 cup steel-cut oats. Add 1 cup plant milk and 1/2 of a ripe banana to sweeten. Adding a banana is optional, but I highly recommend it.
- Microwave on medium heat for 2-minutes.
- After the first 2 minutes, carefully use a fork to mash the banana that is now very soft. The bowl will be hot, so handle with care.
- Stir well, it place it back in the microwave, and cook for another 2-minutes.
- Once it is finished, add ground cinnamon, crushed walnuts, raisins, and fresh berries to serve. More topping ideas are listed above in the article.
Video
Notes
- Bring 4 cups of plant milk or water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1 ripe banana. Cover and lower the heat. Allow to cook for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Once it has finished cooking, add cinnamon, raisins, and fresh fruit. Total Time: 20-30 minutes.
- Due to the size of an Instant Pot, you will want to make more than an individual serving.
- Add 3 cups of plant milk or water to the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1 ripe banana.
- Close and lock the lid, press the MANUAL button, and set the timer to 4 minutes. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes for the pressure to build up before the cooking timer begins.
- Once it beeps, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes. Slide to VENT and carefully open the lid. Add cinnamon, raisins, and fresh fruit to serve. Total Time: 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
I like to meal prep and just reheat. The steel cut oats in the IP sounds like a good one to try. Anything you would do different, Terri, for this?
Hi Shawna- Meal prepping is a great idea. If you scroll down to the ‘Notes’ section in the recipe, I’ve included the Instant Pot directions. Hope you enjoy the recipe!