Instant Pot Oatmeal, 5 Ways!

Instant Pot Oatmeal is the easiest, no fuss breakfast. The best part? No babysitting a pot on the stove or in the microwave, hoping it won’t boil over! There’s something for everyone with my 5 simple variations using regular pantry staples.

I love customizing this basic recipe to suit everyone’s favorite tastes while keeping them healthy.

I like making a big batch of this oatmeal at the beginning of the week to keep in the fridge. I keep it plain, so then the kids and I can mix in whatever sounds good! Awesome meal prep idea.

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• Healthy Overnight Oatmeal
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• Air Fryer Sausage Patties
• Air Fryer Bacon

Why I make Instant Pot Oatmeal

I’m pretty versed at cooking (I mean, I’ve been doing it since I was basically a baby), but man, I SUCK at “cooking” oatmeal!

Even in the microwave, it ALWAYS bubbles over and gets EVERYWHERE, no matter how diligently I watch it. Then, it gets all baked onto the tray and it’s a headache to clean.

Gone are the days of exploding oatmeal! I now exclusively use my 3 quart Instant Pot when making oatmeal for my family. I just dump, set, and forget until I can get to it.

This is, of course, after like a 30 minute natural pressure release because I’m getting kids cleaned up, seated, drinks, the *right* fork/spoon, etc. etc. etc… You know what I’m talking about, right? Just me? Please let it not be just me! It feels like our mornings take forever!

After getting everyone situated, I can easily scoop the oatmeal into bowls and add milk + whatever variation the kids want that morning.

My kids are always QUIET when they have oatmeal for breakfast. WHAT?! That must mean they really like it! 😉 #momwin.

How to make Instant Pot Oatmeal

To the Instant Pot, add two parts water, one part of regular rolled oats (not steel cut or instant) and a dash of salt (in that order). Do not stir. I like to do 2 cups oats, 4 cups water for my family, personally. You can double or halve to your needs.

If you like extra soft oatmeal, add an additional part of water (3:1). We prefer ours a bit thicker so we can add a good amount of milk after cooking.

Cook on manual high pressure for 1-2 minutes and do a quick release. If you happen to not be paying attention, the oatmeal is just fine left to naturally pressure release.

It may stick a little to the bottom with added time, but mine lifts off if I add additional water or milk after pressure cooking.

After the Instant Pot is done cooking, it stays on KEEP WARM mode, so you can get to it whenever you need.

Then, add milk and sweetener to taste. This basic Instant Pot oatmeal recipe is meant to simply cook the oats and provide a base for topping.

Sticking in Instant Pot

If you happen to have issues with sticking even with a quick release, try spraying some cooking spray in the bottom of your pot before adding the water. Also ensure to add the water before the oats.

If you’re still having issues with stuck on oatmeal or other food, just do a DEEP CLEAN as instructed in my free comprehensive guide on How to Clean Your Instant Pot. You can sign up for that free guide HERE!

Oatmeal on Good Things Utah

My friends over at Good Thing’s Utah asked me to come demo my favorite oatmeal on their show last week with how Ali Monsen. You can watch the segment over on their website, or all my other TV segments HERE.

Instant Pot Oatmeal Variations

Now, these are the most popular variations at my house. We do fancier ones (like with homemade apple pie filling on top!) when I have the time, but these are for every day, real life! Today I’m sharing:

• Luxurious Bruleed Oatmeal (AMAZING)
• Coconut Cream Oatmeal
• Berries and Cream Oatmeal
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

You can add a different sweetener or dairy free milk to your oatmeal if you’d like! The basic oatmeal recipe is meant to simply cook the oats and provide a good base.

Luxurious Bruleed Oatmeal

Anything that uses a kitchen torch is pretty fancy, right? I was making Instant Pot Creme Brulee one week and inspiration struck me to brulee the top of my oatmeal with brown sugar.

BEST OATMEAL I HAVE EVER HAD. It’s like dessert!

First, I take the basic oatmeal and add a pat of butter and milk or heavy cream. Heavy cream if you really want it to taste GOOD. Then, I sprinkle on brown sugar and use my kitchen torch to brulee and caramelize the sugar in even sweeps.

The combination of the creamy oats with the smoky, deep sweetness and occasional crispy bits of bruleed sugar is mindblowing. I like serving with fresh strawberries for a pop of tartness and granola for crunch.

No Kitchen Torch?

If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you may use the broiler if you transfer your oatmeal to a broiler safe dish such as a small cake pan. Move the top rack to the highest level in the oven. Preheat the broiler to HIGH and broil sugar-topped oatmeal for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Coconut Cream Oatmeal

I looooove coconut! This is one of my favorite ways to use leftover Cream of Coconut (what’s that?). I use Cream of Coconut in drinks, Dairy Free Instant Pot Coconut Rice Pudding, frosting, hot chocolate, and coconut curry!

Mix together a bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal, milk/cream, butter, and Cream of Coconut. Top with toasted coconut and raspberries or strawberries.

Berries and Cream Oatmeal (TIP)

TIP TIME! This will help cool down hot oatmeal for kids quickly. Add a handful of frozen berries to a bowl of hot oatmeal.

Stir, then wait 2-4 minutes. The hot oatmeal will thaw the berries and the frozen berries will cool down the piping hot oatmeal.

I use this same trick with frozen vegetables in my famous Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

Mix together a bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal, butter, and frozen or fresh berries. Let stand for a couple of minutes, then stir again. Add milk or cream to taste. I let the berries do the sweetening, but you may add sweetener or sugar to taste.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

This one is my favorite, especially in the fall. It’s kind of like a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie dessert oatmeal.

Mix together a bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal, milk/cream, butter, pumpkin puree, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top and wait 1-2 minutes. The chocolate will melt and you can swirl it around so each bite gets a bit of sweetness!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

My kids like this one, and I do too because the peanut butter is the only added sugar.

In a bowl, mash together half a banana and tablespoon of peanut butter. Add a helping of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal and milk/cream. Stir together and top with extra bananas and granola.

And now your turn. Comment below with any variations you have tried. For other breakfast ideas, be sure to check out these other breakfast posts.

Instant Pot Oatmeal with 5 Variations

Oatmeal is a healthy and filling breakfast for those hectic (or relaxing) mornings! The Instant Pot helps take the hassle out of breakfast, just set it and forget it until you’re ready to eat. No more stirring or cleaning up boiled over oatmeal. Try fancy bruleed oatmeal that tastes like dessert, or one of these other healthy and yummy variations 

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Lisa Childs

INGREDIENTS

Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal

• 2 cups regular rolled oats
• 4 cups water
• dash of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal

• Add water to the Instant Pot, then the oats and salt. Do not stir. Cook on manual high pressure for 1-2 minutes, followed by a quick pressure release. If oatmeal starts coming out of the sealing pin, close the valve and release the pressure in short bursts. You may also use 5 cups of water if you like it extra soft.

Dish up each bowl and add milk and sugar to taste. Or, choose one of the variations below:

Luxurious Bruleed Oatmeal

• one bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal
• 2-4 tablespoons cream or milk
• ½ tablespoon butter
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla
• 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
• strawberries
• coconut
• granola
• Add butter and vanilla to a hot bowl of Instant Pot Oatmeal. Stir in milk or cream to your desired consistency. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top, and evenly brulee with a kitchen torch until caramelized. Enjoy with fresh strawberries, granola, and flaked coconut.

Berries and Cream Oatmeal

• one bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal
• 2-4 tablespoons cream or milk
• handful of frozen berries
• Add a handful of frozen berries into the hot oatmeal. Mix to completely cover the berries, then let stand for 3-5 minutes. Stir, then top with additional milk to your preferred consistency. Add a drizzle of honey or some brown sugar to sweeten, if you like!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

• one bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal
• 2-4 tablespoons cream or milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla
• sprinkle of cinnamon
• sprinkle of nutmeg
• sprinkle of extra sugar, if needed
• Stir the pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the hot oatmeal. Add milk to the consistency you prefer. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top, then let stand for about 30-45 seconds and gently swirl the chocolate on top. If the chocolate doesn’t add enough sweetness for you, add sweetener of your choice.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

• one bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal
• ½ banana, mashed
• 2-4 tablespoons cream or milk
• ½ tablespoon beanut butter
• In a serving bowl, mash half the banana with a fork. Add the hot oatmeal and peanut butter on top, then stir. Add milk or cream to your preferred consistency. If the banana doesn’t add enough sweetness for you, add sweetener of your choice.

Coconut Cream Oatmeal

• one bowl of Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal
• 2-4 tablespoons cream or milk
• ½ tablespoons butter
• 1-2 tablespoons cream of coconut
• toasted coconut flakes
• Add all ingredients but toasted coconut flakes to a serving bowl and stir. Add additional cream of coconut for extra sweetness, if desired. Top with toasted coconut flakes.

PRODUCTS WE LOVE

• 717 Industries Steamer Basket, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer Compatible Instant Pot Other Pressure Cookers, Fits 6 & 8 Quart Pots (Grey Silicone Handle)
• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer, 6 Quart, 14 One-Touch Programs
• MY COOKBOOK! The “I Love My Instant Pot®” Cooking for One Recipe Book

NUTRITION

Serving: 1grams

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