Whether it’s a busy weekday or a lazy weekend, there’s never a bad time for a warm, comforting breakfast. With an emphasis on the word ‘quick’, it’s time to lean on the Instant Pot. It’s a handy kitchen gadget you’ll want in your cooking if it’s not already there.
Today we use it for oatmeal – hearty whole grain bowls ready in 8 minutes of pressure cooking plus 5 minutes of natural release while you get ready for work. (Read: No stirring, burning or standing by the stove!)
The steps are simple: combine liquids and oats, seal the pot and cook—then serve immediately with your favorite toppings or serve in jars and refrigerate all week.
A few notes: For best results, a low-fat or non-dairy milk works well – high-fat milk like coconut milk can separate during cooking. You’ll also need less liquid than you would on the stove—in the Instant Pot, liquid is absorbed instead of evaporating, so go easy to avoid oatmeal soup.
Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 20 minutes
Pressure Cooker Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups (160 g) old fashioned oats
- 2 cups (480 g) water, divided
- 2 cups fat-free milk (almond, hemp, coconut, and soy also work)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Directions
Place the steamer rack in the inner pot of your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. In a 4-cup heatproof bowl, combine oats, remaining 1 cup water, milk, salt, maple syrup, and seeds, and stir to combine.
Place the bowl on top of the steamer rack and put the lid on the Instant Pot. Set the valve to “sealed” and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
After cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then gently release any remaining pressure by turning the vent valve with a wooden spoon.
Carefully remove the bowl from the Instant Pot. Serve the oatmeal with your favorite toppings or allow to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers and storing in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Serves: 4 | Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 246; Total fat: 6g; Saturated fat: 1g; Monounsaturated fat: 1g; Polyunsaturated fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 4mg; Sodium: 343 g; Carbohydrate: 39g; Dietary fiber: 6g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 11g
Nutritional bonus: Iron 13%; Calcium 19%; Potassium 416mg
Originally published October 2018; Updated May 2026