Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal
- Makes 2 portions
- Prep 5 minutes
- Total 8 hours 5 minutes

Let us 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. We love to start our morning with a cozy, satisfying bowl, loaded with our favorite toppings, like berries, crushed nuts, and honey. And with this straightforward 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.
What stands out
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, we're about to change your world. Our set-it-and-forget-it method allows you to boil the oats for one minute and leave them overnight. The next morning, you’ll have perfectly tender, chewy oats that need to be warmed through for about 2 minutes. All that stands between you and the 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.


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

Swaps
- You can add 3 cups water and 1 cup milk instead of just water to make this more rich.
- 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.
- Get creative with toppings such as fruits, nuts, shredded coconut, granola, nut butter, jam, or whatever you’d like!
- Feel free to experiment with flavored extracts in your oatmeal, such as coconut extract, almond extract, or maple extract.
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 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 our top choice!

Serve it with
- Serve this for breakfast with your favorite protein, such as bacon or our hearty Homemade Breakfast Sausages.
- Serve Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal with a side of eggs, like our Poached EggsCheesy EggsOver Medium Eggs or Baked Feta Eggs.
Questions
strong Can we 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.
strong Do we 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 we reheat the oats in the morning?
Warm the oats on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen the consistency, if needed.
strong Can we 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 we top our steel cut overnight oatmeal bowl with?
The topping options are endless. Try sliced fruit, fresh berries, a sprinkling of seeds or chopped nuts, or a drizzle of nut butter.
how long can we 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.
Ingredients
Makes 2 portions
- 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!
Equipment
- Measuring Cups + Spoons
- Medium Pot
- Liquid Measuring Cup
Method
- 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. We leave ours plain and add our 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!








