Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal

5 from 2 votes

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Let me clue you in on one of the best breakfasts: set-it-and-forget-it, creamy, warm overnight oats 🥣. Steel cut oats are a nutrient powerhouse, loaded in fiber, protein, iron and more. I love to start my morning with a cozy, satisfying bowl, loaded with my favorite toppings, like berries, crushed nuts, and honey 🍯. And with this super easy method, you can enjoy steel cut oats daily with minimal effort👌. Steel cut oats are the least processed variety of oats, giving them the most nutrition (compared to instant, rolled, bran, etc.) This often means long cook times spent stirring a pot. Not anymore! Check out this hands-free recipe for the easiest, chewiest, creamiest oats.

A bowl of steel cut overnight oatmeal topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, seeds, and a drizzle of honey on a wooden honey dipper. The berries add vibrant red and blue colors, contrasting with the creamy oatmeal and sprinkled seeds.

Why You’ll Love Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal

Breakfast just got upgraded 🚀. If you love the exceptional texture of steel cut oats, and the high levels of fiber, protein, and iron per serving, but hate the idea of stirring a pot for 30 minutes, I’m about to change your world. My set-it-and-forget-it method allows you to simply boil the oats for one minute, and leave them overnight ⏳. The next morning, you’ll have perfectly tender, chewy oats, that simply need to be warmed through for about 2 minutes. All that stands between you and the perfect breakfast, is 1 minute of prep time. Let’s go 🏃‍♀️!

How to Prepare

💧 In a pot, add 4 cups of water and salt.

🫧 Let it come to a boil, add in the steel cut oats, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 1 minute.

🌙 Then, turn off the heat and put a lid on the pot. Leave it overnight.

🥣 The following morning, all you have to do is heat the pot over low heat, pour the oats into your bowl, and then add your favorite toppings such as brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, berries, nuts, and seeds.

Nonna’s Tip🧂

Do NOT skip the salt. Salt is really important here as it enhances the flavor of the oats, making sure they don’t taste bland.

A bowl of steel cut overnight oatmeal topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and dark cherries, sprinkled with seeds and nuts. A honey dipper rests on the edge with droplets of honey. The oatmeal is set on a light-colored cloth.

Variations and Substitutions for Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal

  1. You can add 3 cups water and 1 cup milk instead of just water to make this more rich.
  2. Alternatively, you can add all milk instead of water. As long as you keep the ratio as 1 cup oats to 4 cups liquid, feel free to use any liquid of choice. 
  3. Get creative with toppings, such as fruits, nuts, shredded 🥥 coconut, granola, nut butter, jam, or whatever you’d like!
  4. Feel free to experiment with flavored extracts in your oatmeal, such as coconut extract, almond extract, or maple extract.

Similar Recipes

All About Steel Cut Oats

Steel cut oats are made by cutting whole oat groats into small pieces with steel blades 🔪. Unlike rolled or quick oats, they are minimally processed, so they contain more fiber and nutrients. They have such a great nutty flavor and are nice and chewy (not mushy!) so they make a really satisfying and hearty ☀️ breakfast option.

Steel-cut oats differ from rolled oats, which are steamed and flattened, and quick oats, which are processed even further so they cook super fast. While steel cut oats take longer to prepare and require more 🥛 liquid, their health benefits (including being rich in fiber, protein, and essential nutrients), texture, and taste make them my top choice!

A dish of steel cut overnight oatmeal topped with vibrant toppings, including red raspberries, sliced nuts, and crushed pistachios, drizzled with honey. The oatmeal is served in a rustic, shallow bowl on a light-colored wooden surface.

Best Served With

Common Questions

Can I use milk instead of water for cooking the oats?

Yes, you can use milk, or a combination of milk and water, for a creamier texture. As long as you have 4 cups of liquid, anything will work.

Do I have to leave the oats overnight?

Yes, leaving the oats overnight allows them to absorb the liquid and soften without additional cooking time.

How do I reheat the oats in the morning?

Simply warm the oats on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen the consistency, if needed.

Can I add flavors to the oats while they cook?

Absolutely! You can add vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup to the pot for extra flavor. You could even add finely chopped apples, crushed berries, or a nut butter.

what can I top my steel cut overnight oatmeal bowl with?

The topping options are really endless. Try sliced fruit, fresh berries, a sprinkling of seeds or chopped nuts, or a drizzle of nut butter.

how long can I keep the oatmeal?

Store the steel-cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days. Make a big batch and then reheat portions as needed.

A bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, a honey drizzle, and a sprinkle of seeds, served with a wooden honey dipper on a light wooden table.

Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal

Breakfast just got upgraded 🚀. If you love the exceptional texture of steel cut oats, and the high levels of fiber, protein, and iron per serving, but hate the idea of stirring a pot for 30 minutes, I'm about to change your world.
5 from 2 votes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Makes: 2 portions
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups water, a combination of milk + water can also be used
  • ½ teaspoon salt, do not skip
  • 1 cup steel cut oats, organic
  • Toppings of choice such as: honey, brown sugar, nuts, seeds, berries, apples, etc!

Instructions 

  • In a pot, add the water and salt. Let it come to a boil, add in the steel cut oats, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute.
  • After 1 minute, turn off the heat and put a lid on. Leave it overnight.
  • Note: if you want to add vanilla, cinnamon or finely chopped apples to the mixture you are more than welcome to do so. I leave mine plain and add my toppings the following morning.
  • The following morning, the oats will be ready for you to enjoy! All you have to do is heat them up on the stove and add your favourite toppings such as: brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, berries, apples, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and more!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl, Calories: 309kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 605mg, Potassium: 0.1mg, Fiber: 9g, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is absolutely the best method for making overnight oats that do not feel like baby food. Steel cut are the way to go, and it couldn’t be easier in the morning to warm up. Love this recipe with a scoop of almond butter too!

  2. 5 stars
    I’m absolutely loving this overnight oatmeal recipe! As someone who is always on the go, I need breakfasts that are quick, easy to make and nutritious. Waking up to a warm, creamy, and deliciously chewy bowl of oats is the perfect way to start my day!