5-Minute Steel Cut Oats Recipe: The Secret?

Longing for the hearty nutrition of steel cut oats but short on time? You’ve got it today with this 5-minute steel cut oats recipe!

Most recipes call for a long simmer (or overnight soak). When time is short, most of us will turn to a quicker option – instant oatmeal, or cold cereal.

The good news? You can have that satisfying, wholesome oatmeal in minutes—and the secret is a little kitchen shortcut… and it’s not an instant pot!

And while many of us love overnight oats, when the weather turns cold, we crave warmer foods like porridge and other cooked cereals.

5-Minute Steel Cut Oats: What’s the Secret?

The trick to making these steel cut oats “instantly” is to create a coarse grind of the oats in a blender. This simple step transforms the cooking time. Instead of chewy grains, the oats cook up more like a creamy, thick porridge, similar to the comforting “cream of wheat” you might remember from childhood.

Warming, nourishing, and ready in minutes—let’s dive in!

5-Minute Steel Cut Oats Recipe

Let’s get to the recipe! One more secret, for those in menopause…

Did you know that eating 5-6 prunes a day has bone-building benefits? Indeed! So instead of topping your 5-minute steel cut oats with dried fruit like raisins or dates, try organic prunes. Other ideas for customizing your perfect porridge are in the recipe.

Enjoy your instant, creamy comfort! What’s your go-to topping for steel-cut oats? Share in the comments. x Dreena

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5-Minute Steel Cut Oats Recipe

The trick to making these steel cut oats “instantly” is to create a coarse grind of the oats in a blender. The oats then cook up more like a porridge, similar to the “cream of wheat” I remember from childhood – ready in minutes! Be sure to double or triple the recipe to serve more!

Course Breakfast

Keyword breakfast, cereal, oatmeal, oats, porridge, steel cut oats

Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup coarse ground steel cut oats see Oats Note below
• 2 cups water see Water Note below
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom or nutmeg or coconut nectar
• 4-6 tbsp non-dairy milk for serving plus more for serving if desired, see Milk Note below
• Optional: Sweetener to taste ex: date or coconut sugar, date syrup, pure maple syrup

Instructions

• In a saucepan, combine the oats, water, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom over medium heat.
• Whisk almost continuously while the mixture starts to come to a low boil. This constant whisking is key to achieving that smooth, creamy porridge texture and prevents clumping.
• Once it is thickening and starting to bubble, reduce heat to medium-low.
• Once thickened to your liking, add the non-dairy milk and stir it in. (Use a large spoon at this stage as whisking will be difficult.)
• Taste and add sweetener if desired.
• Serve immediately! Oatmeal will thicken more as it sits, so add another drizzle of non-dairy milk on top, along with any of your favorite toppings.

Notes

Grinding Oats Note: Place your regular steel-cut oats in a blender and pulse/puree until you have a flour-like consistency. You aren’t aiming for a perfect powder; a coarse grind is great. I usually do this in batches of about 2-3 cups, and store the extra ‘flour’ in an airtight container for quick use in cookies and this porridge. Once blended, measure out the ¾ cup needed for this recipe.

Water Note: For an even richer flavor, try substituting organic apple juice for the water. It’s a naturally sweet and delicious change!

Milk Note: If you use a vanilla non-dairy milk (like almond or soy), it will add extra sweetness and a light vanilla flavor to the oatmeal base. Feel free to sweeten more to taste with a sprinkling of unrefined sugar (coconut sugar is especially nice!) or a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Toppings:

• Chopped fresh fruit (berries, bananas, or apples)
• Nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Dried fruit (raisins, chopped prune (5-6 prunes a day for bone-building benefits!), chopped dates, or cranberries)
• A sprinkle of unrefined sugar
• A drizzle of maple syrup