Instant Pot Oatmeal With Apples and Cinnamon

12 apple recipes to satisfy your fall baking needs

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Whenever I make oatmeal on the stove, I end up with an overcook or a burnt pot. Not so when I use my electric pressure cooker!

In the fall and winter, I make this savory version with oatmeal, apples, and cinnamon. It’s the ideal breakfast to warm you up from head to toe on chilly mornings.

Steel cut oats in the pressure cooker

Cut steel oats typically cook on the stovetop for more than half an hour, with constant stirring. It takes about the same amount of time in the pressure cooker (I love my Instant Pot!) except you can walk away while the oats cook themselves. I just love that!

New to Instant Pot? Check out our post How To Use an Instant Pot: A First-Timer’s Guide.

What kind of apples to use

Because the pressure cooker breaks down ingredients so efficiently, you want to use apples that can withstand all that cooking power. Granny Smiths are my apple of choice, but any firm baked apple or even firm pears or quinces should do.

For more information on which apple varieties are best for baking, check out our guide to apples.

A tip for tastier oatmeal

Whenever I make steel cut oats, I take the extra step of toasting the oats in a little butter or coconut oil using the pressure cooker’s roast setting. This adds a bit of roasted flavor and also makes the house smell amazing.

How to heat oatmeal in the pressure cooker

This recipe makes quite a bit and you can have leftovers. The easiest way to reheat a single serving of oatmeal is in the microwave. Heat in a microwave-safe bowl until piping hot, 2 to 3 minutes. The oatmeal has thickened – stir in a dash of milk to thin it out again.

Serve your oatmeal with butter (or coconut butter for a dairy-free option), some brown sugar or maple syrup, and some chopped nuts for a little crunch.

Easier breakfasts

Pressure Cooker Egg Bites
Granola in the slow cooker
Freezer Breakfast burritos with sausage, eggs and salsa verde
Oatmeal chia mug to go
Omelet in a mug

preparation time
5 minutes

cooking time
35 minutes

total time
40 minutes

portions
6 servings

Many pressure cooker manuals tell you not to cook the oats because they can foam up and clog the pressure relief mechanisms, but Instant Pot says you can cook the oats as long as the pot is no more than half full.

If you use a pressure cooker, you may have more problems with scorching and clogging of the pressure relief since they cook at higher pressure. Cooking time for a stove top would be ten minutes faster and it would be possible to naturally and completely release the pressure before opening to avoid the risk of a bubbling mess.

For the oats:

2 tablespoon unsalted butter or coconut oil
1 1/2 cups steel-cut oats
4 1/2 cups water
1 big Granny Smith apple or other firm apple, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups diced)
1/4 Cup Brown sugar or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Cinammon
3/4 teaspoon Salt

To serve:

butter
Brown sugar or maple syrup
3/4 Cup toasted, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Roast oats:

Select the sauté setting on your electric pressure cooker and melt the butter. Add the oatmeal and cook, stirring frequently, until the oatmeal is flavorful and lightly toasted, about 5 minutes.
Pressure cook the oats:

Stir the water, apple, brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt into the oatmeal, making sure all of the oatmeal is submerged in the liquid.

Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and make sure the pressure release valve is in its sealing position. Cancel the sauté program, then select the manual setting on your pressure cooker and set the cooking time to 12 minutes at high pressure. (The pot needs about 10 minutes to build up pressure before the cooking program starts.)
Release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes:

When the cooking program ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes, and then set the pressure release to vent to release the remaining steam. Open the pot and stir the oatmeal to incorporate any excess liquid.
Serve Oats:

Pour the oatmeal into bowls and top with butter, brown sugar or maple syrup, and chopped nuts. If the oatmeal thickens after sitting, thin it out with a dash of milk.

This recipe makes quite a bit and you can have leftovers. The easiest way to reheat a single serving of oatmeal is in the microwave. Heat in a microwave-safe bowl until piping hot, 2 to 3 minutes. The oatmeal has thickened – stir in a dash of milk to thin it out again.