You wouldn’t know it from the plethora of steel-cut oatmeal recipes I have on the blog (one), but steel-cut oats are actually my favourite way to enjoy oatmeal.
The only problem is I’m usually too hungry to wait 30 minutes to eat breakfast. Hence, my obsession with quick breakfasts like Vegan overnight oats, Green Monsters, and rolled oatmeal.
Oats in review:
Instant Oats have been cooked, dried and rolled and are the most processed way to eat oats. Instant oats are very thin and need only hot liquid to soften. They are ready in about 60 seconds. While they are the most convenient (although some might argue that overnight oats are the most convenient!), they often have a lot of added salt, sugar, and other strange ingredients.
Quick-cooking oats are simply rolled oats that have been cut into smaller pieces. They cook in about 3-4 minutes.
Rolled oats are also known as Old-Fashioned Oats. They have been steamed, pressed with a roller, and dried. Cooking time is between 5-10 minutes. These are the oats that I use in my oatmeal recipes and in some baking recipes.
Steel-cut oats are also known as pinhead oats (pinhead…ha), coarse-cut oats, Irish oats, or Scotch oats. They are oat groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) that have been cut into 2-3 pieces rather than being steamed and rolled. Steel-cut oats are coarse in texture and remain chewy even after cooking and re-heating. They generally take about 20-25 minutes to cook, although there is a quick-cook overnight method too.
Because steel-cut oats retain their chewy texture after cooking (while rolled oats tend to get mushy), they are the perfect breakfast cereal to make ahead of time and quickly reheat in the morning.
Many of you said you like to make a big batch of steel-cut oats and then enjoy it all week long for quick and easy breakfasts. Once I wrapped my head around actually making the oatmeal at night (I tend to forget!), it occurred to me how much time it can save in the morning. And steel-cut oats reheat very, very well. I actually think that my make-ahead batch tasted better the next morning after the flavours developed a bit more.
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Make-Ahead Steel Cut Oatmeal
With a little forethought at night or on the weekend, you can make steel-cut oats for 4 breakfasts (or more if you need!). I made this batch with mashed banana for a natural sweetener (it also does a great job of adding volume), but you can add any sweetener/fruit you prefer if you aren’t into bananas.
Yield: 4 servings or 3.5-4 cups
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats
- 2 large bananas, mashed (1 cup mashed)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp ground flax + 1 tbsp chia seeds (or seeds of choice)
- 2-3 tsp vanilla extract
1. In a medium-sized pot, bring the water and almond milk to a boil. Add in steel-cut oats and a pinch of salt and reduce heat to low.
2. Stir in the mashed banana (mashing it helps disperse the sweetness throughout), ground flax, and chia seeds. Simmer on low, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 mins or so.
3. When the oats are creamy and tender, remove from heat and stir in cinnamon to taste and pure vanilla extract. Serve immediately or allow to cool before transferring into air tight containers in the fridge. In the morning, add a splash of milk and reheat in the micro or on the stove-top.
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I was feeling inspired after my post on my 5 favourite oatmeal recipes, so I put on my creative oatmeal thinking cap and went to town!
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Berry Almond Bliss Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Cherries, blueberries, and blackberries combine with a lovely cinnamon spiced almond butter sauce. I like to keep a bag of mixed frozen berries on hand for oatmeal and Green Monsters throughout the Fall and Winter. This bag of frozen berries I picked up is by President’s Choice. Place the berries on top if you don’t want them to bleed and turn your oatmeal purple.
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 serving make-ahead steel-cut oats (see above), approx. 3/4-1 cup cooked
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (I thawed frozen cherries, blueberries, and blackberries from President’s Choice)
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds, toasted if preferred
- Cinnamon Almond Butter Sauce (whisk together: 1 tbsp almond butter, 1 tbsp almond milk, 1 tsp maple syrup, & 1/4 tsp cinnamon)
- Sprinkle of Sucanat, brown sugar, or maple syrup, to taste
1. Reheat steel-cut oats with a splash of milk either in the micro or the stove-top.
2. Add mixed berries and chopped almonds on top.
3. In a small bowl or mug, whisk together the almond butter sauce. Drizzle over top and sprinkle with sweetener.
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Cinnamon Peanut Butter Swirl Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Inspired by one of my favourite pancake recipes- cinnamon peanut butter swirl pancakes! The applesauce mixed with the peanut butter gives you much more volume and it adds a bit of sweetness too. Plus, who doesn’t want to eat something swirly? I rest my case.
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 serving make-ahead steel-cut oats (see above), approx. 3/4-1 cup cooked
- 1 tbsp roasted peanuts
- Cinnamon Peanut Butter Swirl (whisk together: 1 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp applesauce, & 1/4 tsp cinnamon)
- garnish with cinnamon
1. Reheat steel-cut oats with a splash of milk either in the micro or the stove-top.
2. Stir in roasted peanuts.
3. In a small bowl or mug, whisk together the cinnamon PB swirl sauce. For swirl: Add mixture into a baggie and cut the very end of the corner out. Now, “pipe” the sauce around in a swirl. Garnish with cinnamon.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Glazed Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Cashew butter, almond milk, and maple syrup combine to make a delicious & decadent cookie dough flavoured glaze to pour on top of your oatmeal. This bowl is inspired by my cookie dough glazed doughnuts.
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 serving make-ahead steel-cut oats (see above), approx. 3/4-1 cup cooked
- 1-2 tbsp cacao nibs (or sub nuts)
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
- Cookie dough glaze (whisk together: 1 tbsp cashew butter, 2 tbsp almond milk, 1 tsp maple syrup)
1. Reheat steel-cut oats with a splash of milk either in the micro or the stove-top. Stir in 1 tsp cacao nibs if desired.
2. In a small bowl or mug, whisk together the cookie dough glaze. Stir in 1/2 tsp chopped chocolate chips into the glaze if desired.
3. Spoon glaze on top of oats. Garnish with chopped chocolate chips and cacao nibs (or nuts).
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Fall Spice Steel-Cut Oatmeal
All the flavours of Fall in one bowl of oatmeal. This was the first time I’ve ever had a fresh prune and I absolutely loved them!
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 serving make-ahead steel-cut oats (see above), approx. 3/4-1 cup cooked
- spices: 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, pinch nutmeg
- 2 fresh prune pums (or dried), pitted and chopped
- 2 tbsp currants
- 1/2 tbsp walnuts
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup & cinnamon, or other sweetener to garnish
1. Reheat steel-cut oats with a splash of milk either in the micro or the stove-top. Stir in spices and 1 tbsp currants.
2. Add chopped prunes, nuts, and remaining currants on top.
3. Drizzle on sweetener to taste and sprinkle with cinnamon.
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You are all cordially invited for a steel-cut oatmeal party.
Just don’t be alarmed when you see the bomb that went off in my kitchen…
Ok, you are making me crave oats. But instead I must go to bed. I’ll be dreaming aobut that Cookie Dough Oatmeal!
your photography is SO amazing–i just can’t get over it! Each recipe sounds better than the last one! YUMMMM oatmeal season!!
Thank you! It’s amazing what changing up the tea towels can do. hah ;)
i never make them for the exact same reason, but i think you just sold me on making some next week.your pictures are so pretty!
These look amazing, particularly the peanut butter swirl one! I’m confused, though, as to what you think a fresh prune is. Is that what we Aussies call a plum?
Yup it’s a plum (actually called a Prune plum for this variety!)
OMG I’m drooling :D :D :D
I have never had steel-cut oats before, but I think the chocolate chip cookie dough recipe is the perfect place to start!
Are you going to post your apple butter recipe?? I’ve got apples from the orchard that need to be used up! :)
I made another batch yesterday….still want to test out another method!
Yesterday’s was what I like to call ‘naked apple butter’ just apples and 1/4 cup apple juice on the bottom of the slow cooker.
I sliced (but did not peel) apples, threw into slow cooker for 4 hours on high, (it will turn into applesauce after 4 hours), cool slightly, scoop into blender, and blend until caramel-like.
Then I cooked on med-high for another 6-8 hours with the lid ajar.
Turned out beautiful. The only thing is it only made 3/4-1 cup! A tiny, tiny amount for the 5 pounds of apples.
I’m wondering if using more liquid like in some recipes will yield more butter? I’m going to try it once more probably using another recipe.
I was planning on being productive this morning… now I’m headed to the kitchen to make oatmeal for the week. :) Thanks!
I love to cook them overnight in the crockpot w/ pumpkin and cinnamon or apple and applesauce. You wake up to the whole house smelling so good. You just toss everything in the crockpot and forget about it!
I love doing that too….that was what my first recipe was actually! The only thing I don’t like is cleaning the slow cooker.
It all looks so good. Fabulous post and your photos, especially the Fall Spice variety, look beautiful. I have something new to add to my breakfast routine. Thank you very much.
Peace,
Anne WF
Thanks Anne :)
In the winter I make enough to last the week. I do plain though, so I can flavor differently each day.
Thanks! That fall spice one won me over, and I haven’t even tried it yet!
I seriously have GOT to switch to steel cut oats…..the less processed the better.
I’m sure my son would love them too.
Your oatmeal bowls look deelish!
Great recipes thanks. Not sure if you knew this but I cam across one of your yummy recipes here: http://vitaljuice.com/entry_detail/recipes/12230/These_no_bake_bites_require_just_one_bowl_.htm
I love steel cut oats too, but I don’t make them often due to the time issue. Making ahead is a great idea! I wasn’t sure how well they’d reheat. Glad to know they’re still chewy and not a big ol’ pile of mush (although I do love me some big ol’ piles of mush – on occasion).
Love that you used prunes in something. I love prunes and think they’re a terribly underutilized fruit.
Gah! These oats looks g-oats-tious! lol
Love every kind of oatmeal :) I’m going to make Fall Spice tomorrow. I can’t believe you just tried a fresh prune for the first time :D I eat a ton a day when they are in season
You’re turning me into something of an oat addict but I have to say my fave is the chocolate one YUM
Gorgeous pictures, as always. :)
OSG, may I ask your favorite brand of vegan chocolate chips?
I buy them in bulk from ontario natural food coop. Their organic dark choco chips :)
Although I am not a vegan, I absolutely love the recipes on your blog. The variations on oatmeal really motivated me to refresh my breakfast go-to’s. The result was my own version of a PB&J oatmeal. Thanks!
Thank you Inaru :) I’m glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Cinnamon peanut butter swirl?! Cinnamon almond butter sauce?? Oh my gosh…Swirls and sauces immediately amp up any dish. I cannot wait to try these concoctions!!!! :)
These look great! I love oatmeal, sometimes even for dinner! Thanks for sharing!
I’m totally making the fall-spice tomorrow. thanks for all the recipes!
Thank you for this wonderful idea! I have had steel cut oats in my pantry forever without an idea of what to do with them. I printed this recipe off yesterday and made them last night! I love it! I actually ate half a serving with a spoonful of peanut butter and it was delicious!! I can’t wait to try your add ons to the recipe! Thanks so much – this will be a staple this winter!!
I am loving oats these days!! Perfectly warm and satisfying…love that you have chocolate chip cookie dough…I think this would be my fav!
Thanks for this post – I hadn’t had steel cut oats in so long and this make-ahead recipe works perfectly for busy mornings!
I was inspired by your post and I made steel cut oats last night but instead of the banana I cut up two apples into bit sized pieces and added a touch of agave and lots of cinnamon. instant Apple Cinnamon oats and it taste like pie today
Oh yummy, can’t wait to try all of them! So saw the Cookie Dough version coming :D
I am a Cookie Dough fanatic too!
Your first prune! Congrats! :)
And I have to try that Cinnamon Peanut Butter Swirl… I can’t really plan trying new things in the morning because I often have strong tendencies towards breakfasts I can’t predict the night before… but if I’m feeling peanutty, I’m definitely doin’ it.
mmm those combinations look amazing! I may have to start making my oatmeal the night before as well.
I love steel cut oats! I’ve made them many times the night before and then reheated or eaten them cold the next morning. I’ve always used just water so really enjoyed the addition of almond milk. I followed your recipe exactly and was really pleased with the results. I topped my bowl with 1/2 a chopped banana and 1 serving of PB2 mixed with almond milk. Tomorrow I think I’ll add some chopped nuts since the oats could have used a little more cruchy texture. It’s been 2 1/2 hours since breakfast and I’m still really full :)
The Fall Spice currant and prune sounds absolutely scrumptious!
I’ve been a-cravin’ some prunes lately (is that a little odd?!) and what better then in some nice hot autumn oaties!!
I have to try those chocolate chip cookie dough steel cut oats!!!!!!
hi Angela.
thanks for more yummy recipes.
a question about almond butter. So far, all the almond butter I have bought are pretty hard (at the moment I have the PC blue menu one). And not only is it hard to scoop out but it ‘s even harder to mix as there are always “lumps”.
In know that in France they have some blanched almond butter which is whiter and much smoother but can’t seem to be able find it here. Is there a brand you would recommend?
Thanks for your help
Isa
I put steel cut oats in the crockpot…very delicious. 2c soy milk 2.5 cups water 1 cup oats…chia seeds….cinnamon and vanilla
Thanks so much for the Steel cut oats recipe, I tried it this morning and never knew what I was missing. I love oatmeal and have never added the almond milk to it. I always do lots of seeds and dried fruit. The mashed bananas were a real treat. My two year old had a bit and is now sitting at the table with her own bowl (giving me a minute to write this). Can’t wait to start trying so of your other recipes.
I bought some steel-cut oats at Whole Foods and searched for recipes online and stumbled upon your site. What a great find! I made the Make Ahead and ate it as soon as it was finished and it was delicious. No need for sugar or any additions. Thanks!
Because this site is awesome, I’ll share a hot cereal tip. This is how they do it in Haiti.
Make oatmeal–not instant, old fashioned. While cooking add a few whole star anise.
Try it! Simple and amazing. The beauty about this one is you can wash the star anise
and reuse it.
Holy crow! I woke up this morning and while I was laying in bed I decided to google some new oatmeal recipes, stumbled upon this one! I made the peanut butter one and I was just about licking the bowl clean!! I’ll be forwarding this page to everyone I know :D
aw thank you so much!
Hi! I just wanted to thank you for this post– I came across it via Pinterest a few months ago and decided to try it out. I’ve been doing it almost every week since then, and it has really changed my mornings! I love having such a healthy & delicious breakfast ready to eat in seconds. I feel great all day & it has helped me achieve my goal of consistent healthy eating. Thank you so much!
I tried the basic recipe with rolled spelt instead of oats..I’m not sure it worked..Have you used rolled spelt?
I dont think I have. What was it like?
It looks like rolled oats but is caramel-coloured, and hard! I’ll try soaking it more..
Hi! Love this recipe, and I am addicted to the Berry Almond Bliss! This is the only oatmeal recipe that does not leave me hungry after one hour. I have also topped it with your Coconut Whipped Cream too! Thanks!
Do you know the nutritional facts on this, like calories per serving and all that jazz?
Hi Katie, Im sorry I don’t have it calculated…you can check out check out caloriecount.com it’s a free service and easy to use.
Have you tried a peach version of this? My little one is asking for peach oatmeal.
Hello!! I’m actually currently making your make-ahead steel-cut oats recipe! I didn’t have flax or chia seeds and was wondering if they were just for taste or nutrition :) It smells heavenly in here right now! I can’t wait to grab a bowl for my breakfast!
Hi! I came across this post recently when I was looking for a recipe to make my oats ahead of time. I tried it last night and had them this morning and I was amazed and how good they were! The banana gave the perfect amount of sweetness and they were so creamy. Thank you for this recipe!!!
Angela,
I love these recipes! I used to eat oatmeal then I strayed for some reason!
Question is: i’ve seen a lot of recipes that ate for overnight oats that don’t require any cooking. Just mix steel cut with almond milk and it’s ready in the am. Do you know this method? What way makes a better texture? Thanks!
Just found your site and am making a list of recipes to try. Thank you!. Working with a cinnamon allergy, any ideas on a good alternative for your oatmeal recipes?