Steel-Cut Oatmeal: 3 Ways

Oatmeal is a comforting, nutritious breakfast any time of year. And lucky for us, it’s easy to make! That being said, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of sticky, boring oatmeal and… life’s just too short for that.

Steel-cut oats make the best oatmeal

In my Whole Grain Mornings cookbook, I talk about oatmeal and the importance of choosing the right oatmeal.

Occasionally marketed as Irish or Scottish oats, steel oats are made when the whole porridge is chopped into tiny pieces. These are my favorites to use for oatmeal because they have a flavorful, chewy texture and don’t break down during cooking like other oatmeal. (In other words, no gummy oats here!) Steel oats definitely take the longest to cook, so they’re not usually part of my weekday routine, but they’re always on the weekend agenda.

Is oatmeal gluten free?

Oats are considered a gluten-free grain. The confusion arises among people with the packaging and processing of oats.

Oats are sometimes packaged in facilities that also package other grains containing gluten, in which case cross-contamination could occur. Or a plant could roll and process using the same machinery it uses to process, say, barley or another grain containing gluten.

So if you’re extremely sensitive to gluten, it’s a good idea to play it safe and buy certified gluten-free oats, which are usually guaranteed to be processed and packaged in a secure facility.

The best pot for steel cut oatmeal

Oats need a little space to cook well. So it’s always best to use a larger pot than you think you need, so they can cook in a thin layer. If you can swing this, you’ll end up with a tastier porridge than if you use a small saucepan where they’re all jammed one on top of the other and you have to stir more often (and vigorous stirring can be the enemy of delicious oatmeal).

Roast your oats

A common complaint with oatmeal is that it’s soggy and gooey, and I’ve certainly had my fair share of this type of warm granola. But when I moved in with my now-husband, Sam, he introduced me to the fine (and simple) art of toasting oats in a little butter before making your oatmeal.

This develops their nutty flavor and also helps them retain their integrity in the hot cooking liquid so they don’t just collapse into one another. That’s the only way we do it here.

Do this for either Steelcut or Oatmeal!

Gently stir the Steel Cut Oats

At some point, people started thinking that you should really stir oatmeal and oatmeal vigorously. But if you do, you’ll end up with gummy nondescript mush 100% of the time.

Stirring oats (and most grains) will slowly break them down; They’ll lose their shape and delicious, slightly chewy porridge will elude you forever.

Dress up your oatmeal

True oatmeal enthusiasts have strong preferences for how to top their morning oats. Traditionally, a little bit of brown sugar or maple syrup is popular, but don’t feel limited or limited!

Here are a few of our favorite toppings:

• Roasted nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds
• Fresh fruit such as berries, bananas or sliced ​​pears
• Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter
• chia or flax seeds
• Dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins, cherries, chopped dates, apricots or coconut flakes
• Tahini or miso for a hearty spin!
• Chocolate Chips (why not?!)

Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats

Steel cut oats cook very well in a pressure cooker, like an Instant Pot. Steel oatmeal takes between 30 and 40 minutes to cook on the stovetop, but only about 30 minutes in the pressure cooker — plus, you can get on with your morning instead of worrying about the pot on the stovetop.

• To start, try it: Pressure Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

How to make overnight oats

For busy families or anyone who has a bit more rush in the mornings, Overnight Oats can be a real savior. At the simplest level, you simply combine oats and water and place in the fridge overnight. The next morning, microwave your oatmeal and dress it up (fresh berries, toasted nuts or seeds, maybe a little maple syrup) and you’re on your way.

• To start, try it: How to make overnight oats

How to reheat oatmeal

Both steel cut oats and regular rolled oats are wonderful to reheat! In fact, I often make a big pot on the weekends with the intention of heating it up for a few mornings during the work week.

When reheating, simply add a little more milk or water (start with a few teaspoons and increase from there as needed) and warm on the stovetop over low heat (or in the microwave) until the oats are warm and creamy.