Instant Pot Oatmeal (pot-in-pot + regular methods)

Instant Pot oatmeal is easy enough to make on a weekday, and it’s a delicious and comforting way to start your day.

I’ve made my cinnamon maple oatmeal on the stovetop and in the microwave for years. But making it in the Instant Pot is now my go-to method.

Why? It certainly isn’t any quicker. The benefit to me though? It is 100% hands off, and it stays warm and ready-to-eat right until I am ready to eat it.

And the ingredient list is fairly simple: oats, almond milk, water, cinnamon, vanilla and real maple syrup.

Typically, I will make this right when I wake up, and then I go shower and get dressed while it is cooking. Hooray for being a 100% hands off recipe!🎉🤸🏼‍♂️ This is true for either method.

That is the main benefit to me for making it in the Instant Pot?. I cannot tell you how many times I have boiled over oatmeal on the stovetop or in the microwave. It makes such a mess!😫 That is never a problem cooking it this way. 🙌🏻

There are two ways to make oatmeal in your Instant Pot: (1) the pot in pot method and (2) the regular method. I will explain each.

How to make Instant Pot oatmeal – pot in pot method

Making Instant Pot oatmeal with the pot-in-pot method is often called PIP for short. So why use this method? I like pot in pot method for single servings or smaller batches. Easy cleanup is also a benefit.

I also like using this method because I don’t have to worry about scorching. We occasionally like to make our oatmeal with cow’s milk (in place of the almond milk in the recipe below), and that can sometimes scorch/ burn.

I often use the pot in pot method to make a single bowl, and I cook it in the container I plan to eat it in. Less dishes for the win!🙌🏻 The bowl will be hot, though, so be sure and use a folded towel or heat absorbing oven pad. Or you can make it in a bigger bowl, if you plan to make a few servings.

You want a 2:1 ratio of your liquids to oats. Your liquids include water, milk, vanilla and any liquid sweeteners. I use 100% pure maple syrup in this recipe because it is our go-to. I make that part of the liquids.

Also, this method suits small batches best since you are somewhat limited with the pot in pot capacity. We have made anywhere from 1 to 3 servings using this method. (This will vary depending on the size of your inner pot.)

We just place all ingredients in a glass bowl. Make sure it will fit inside your Instant Pot! We most often use this glass 4 cup measuring dish from this Pyrex set. (Amazon affiliate)

Then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, and allow the pot to naturally release. This method takes a bit more time. Usually I will get it going in my Instant Pot, and then go shower, dress myself or dress my kids until it is ready.

How to make Instant Pot oatmeal using the regular method

What I mean by the “regular method” is making it straight inside the inner pot.

I made it in the stainless pot (that comes with the Instant Pot) for years. And that works fine.

I must say, though, I am really loving the ceramic non-stick coated version of the inner pot. (Amazon affiliate link) It makes cleanup a breeze! And I find myself making this way a lot more often these days. That being said, do not feel like you must purchase an extra pot. It works great in the stainless pot too.👌🏻

So what is the regular method good for? Big batches! I will make a big pot of this (6 adult sized servings, i.e., 3 cups dry oats). It also cooks a little quicker. And you can still walk off and leave it for longer, if you need to. We use the leftovers to reheat and eat on busy school mornings. More on that in a second!

I just cook mine on low pressure for 2 minutes, and I allow for at least 10 minutes of natural release. Then release any remaining pressure.

When you open the pot, it will look a bit separated, like this.

It may or may not have an extra layer of liquid floating at the top. This batch sat for a few extra minutes, while I got my camera set up. Just give everything a good stir until it is well-mixed, like this.

Optional step: if it is too thick for your liking, add a splash of almond milk or water, and stir to combine.

If it is too thin, let it sit with the lid off for a couple minutes, stirring once or twice, and it will thicken up on its own.👌🏻

How to reheat leftover Instant Pot oatmeal

Like I mentioned earlier, I love making a big batch of this and reheating it for a quick breakfast all week. My kids love it too!

We prefer to reheat ours in the microwave. Pulling back out the Instant Pot seems a bit silly for us, just for reheating purposes. If you are going to to that, for us at least, we’d just assume make a fresh batch! Most of y’all probably agree, but I know there are a few anti-microwave people out there. You do you, friends. I’m just sharing how we do ours.😉🙃

So here is what we do to reheat ours in the microwave. It will be more of like a solid chunk, very thick. I spoon out however much we want in a serving, and I use the spoon to break it up into smaller chunks. This helps it to heat more evenly.

The I pour a splash of almond milk (or water!) over the top. I never measure, but I would recommend about 1/4 cup. I don’t stir yet. I heat it for about a minute, and then I remove it and stir. I use the back of my spoon to break up any chunks be pressing them against the bowl.

After that, I return it to the microwave and heat another 45 seconds or so, until it gets hot enough for me. This may vary by microwave. Then stir again, and add any toppings.

Toppings

I love topping mine with some fresh fruit, like strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

Other toppings we use, depending on our mood: a dollop of nut butter (peanut butter or almond butter are our favorites), chopped nuts, chia seeds, apples, pear slices. The possibilities are endless!

I hope y’all enjoy making Instant Pot oatmeal as much as we do! Let me know if you try it.

Tools Used to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal

Note: These are Amazon affiliate links. Shopping through these links supports A Pinch of Healthy at no extra cost to you.

Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe (Pot in Pot Method)

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Instant Pot Oatmeal

Instant Pot oatmeal is easy enough to make on a weekday, and it's a delicious and comforting way to start your day.

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

Pot-in-pot method (amounts for 1 serving, but you can do up to 3)

• 1/2 cup dry old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (any milk will work)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons 100% maple syrup (more or less to taste)
• water - enough to fill up 1/2 cup including the vanilla and maple syrup
• small pinch salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup water in the inner stainless pot for steaming (do not use for regular method)

Regular method (4 servings)

• 2 cups oats dry
• 2 cups almond milk plain, unsweetened
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (more or less, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground (more or less: you can adjust this for your own tastes)
• pinch salt

Instructions

Pot-in-pot method

1. Pour 1 cup water into the inner stainless steel pot, and add a trivet; place the glass bowl on top.

2. Add dry oats and almond milk to glass bowl.

3. Add vanilla and maple syrup to 1/2 measuring cup, plus enough water to fill to capacity, and add to glass bowl. (Vanilla + maple syrup + enough water = 1/2 cup)

4. Add salt and cinnamon to glass bowl, stirring to combine.

5. Place the lid on, lock and seal it, and cook at manual high pressure for 10 minutes.

6. Allow the pot to do a full natural pressure release (NPR). 

Regular method

1. Add all ingredients to the inner cooking pot.

2. Put the lid on, lock it, set to sealing and cook on manual low pressure for 2 minutes.

3. Allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR) for at least 10 minutes, and quick release any remaining pressure. (Note: it will not hurt to let it sit longer than this, if you need to)

4. After making sure all pressure is released, carefully remove the lid, and stir the oatmeal.

5. Serve and enjoy! We love ours with a spoon of peanut butter, berries, sliced bananas, etc.

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

We have made up to 3 servings using the pot-in-pot instructions, and 8 servings using the regular method. 

I like to prepare this right when I wake up. I then shower and get dressed while it is cooking. It stays warm and ready to eat for up to an hour after cooking. 

If it is too thick for your liking, add a splash of almond milk or water, and stir to combine.

If it is too thin, let it sit with the lid off for a couple minutes, stirring once or twice, and it will thicken up on its own.👌🏻

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Oatmeal

Amount Per Serving

Calories 286 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Sodium 168mg7%

Potassium 236mg7%

Carbohydrates 55g18%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 24g27%

Protein 5g10%

Calcium 215mg22%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: This recipe originally appeared on A Pinch of Healthy 2/28/18. It has been updated with new photos and additional instructions. 

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