Say goodbye to waiting for your oats to cook in the morning! These overnight steel cut oats will save you time in the morning and make the perfect healthy breakfast! Enjoy these oats at home, or in a jar to take on the go!

a cup of overnight steel cut oats topped with blueberries, shredded coconut and hemp seeds

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are traditionally made with rolled oats, milk and sometimes yogurt that get mixed together and sit in the fridge overnight until the oats soak up all the liquid. When it comes to making overnight oats with steel cut oats, the process to prepare the oats is slightly different, but you’re left with a similar result of creamy oats in the morning.

What’s the difference between Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats?

Say hello to your new favourite weekday breakfast – overnight steel cut oats!

The difference all lies in how much the oats have been processed.

Quick oats (mostly used for regular oatmeal) are the most processed of the oats, while steel cut oats are the least processed…they’re essentially just chopped up groats! If you want to please your inner nerd and read more check out quick, rolled and steel cut oats!

They have a ton of nutritional benefits and because they’re less processed and have a really amazing chewy texture. The only downside? They take way longer to cook.

Are steel cut oats better for you than rolled oats?

Steel cut oats are higher in fiber and have a slightly lower glycemic index that quick oats or rolled oats. This makes steel cut oats a little bit more nutritious.

Why This is the Best Steel Cut Oat Recipe

This is the best steel cut oat recipe. For me, this ratio of oats to liquid produces the creamiest oats out there! These oats sit overnight and do their thing without you having to do anything!

This recipe is also great because it is so easy. You can prepare these overnight oats in 5 minutes! Say goodbye to not instantly having breakfast waiting for you when you walk in your kitchen! Grab these out of the fridge and you’re set.

two cups of overnight steep cut oats on a white wooden serving board

Ingredients for Steel Cut Oats Overnight

  • Steel Cut Oats: for this recipe you want to make sure to use steel cut oats and not rolled or quick oats.
  • Oat Milk: you can substitute with any plant-based milk you like
  • Water: you can also use more oat milk
  • Salt: this will help bring out the flavour in the oats
  • Cinnamon: for some more flavour
  • Maple Syrup: to sweeten. You can also use honey, agave, brown sugar or coconut sugar.

How to make overnight steel cut oats

  1. Add the water and almond milk to a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add in the oats and seasoning.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the pot of oats sit on the stove or in the fridge overnight.
  4. Wake up in the morning and your oats will be ready!

How long should steel cut oats sit overnight to soften?

Steel cut oats should sit overnight for at least 6-8 hours to soften. If you don’t have time to make overnight steel cut oats then you can just make regular steel cut oats.

Making steel cut oats overnight in the slow cooker or instant pot

If making this recipe in a slow cooker, add an extra 1 1/2 cups of water and turn on low heating overnight. Be sure to remember to coat the inside with something nonstick beforehand to ensure you aren’t spending all morning scrubbing!

If you are making them in the Instant Pot, combine 1 cup of oats with 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 1/2 cups of almond milk. Cook them quickly with pressure for about 4 minutes, then remove the pressure and allow them to continue cooking on manual for another 20 minutes. I let mine sit for a while because they start to thicken up as they sit!

a cup of steel cut oats with a spoon in it on a white wooden board

Tips for making overnight oats with steel cut oats perfectly

  • Make sure to use steel-cut oats! They are essential to the recipe 😉
  • Using a mix of water and oat milk (or any plant-based milk) will result in super creamy oats.
  • Don’t skip out on the pinch of salt in this recipe. It will help bring out the flavour of the oats.
  • You can substitute maple syrup with any type of sweeteners you like such as agave, honey or coconut sugar.

How to Serve Overnight Oats Steel Cut oats

Overnight Steel Cut Oats can be served hot or cold, the choice is up to you! This type of oatmeal is delicious both ways which make it easy to take on the go. Add any of your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Toppings for overnight steel cut oats

I don’t know about you, but I need some flavor in my oats. I love me some cinnamon and maple syrup in my oats, but if there’s any different flavourings you like then you do your thing! As for actual toppings, I love to add:

overnight steel cut oats in a cup with blueberries around it

How long can I store steel cut overnight oats?

You can store these oats in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 2 days. After that the oats may become a little bit thick and goopy.

Can steel cut overnight oats be frozen?

Unfortunately, you cannot freeze steel cut overnight oats.

FAQ for Steel Cut Overnight Oats

Are rolled or steel-cut oats better for overnight oats?

Rolled oats are great for making traditional overnight oats. This is made by mixing the rolled oats with liquids in a bowl and placing them in the fridge overnight. Steel cut oats have to be slightly cooked in a pot on the stove to help the oats soften. Both are delicious and nutritious options with a slightly different taste and texture.

Is it OK to soak steel-cut oats overnight?

Absolutely! Soaking steel-cut oats overnight will make them softer and easier to digest. This will also help the overnight oats cook faster.

Can steel cut oats be eaten without cooking?

Steel cut oats are technically safe to eat raw, however they will be very hard and tough. If you want to eat steel cut oats without cooking them it’s best to soak them in a bowl of water overnight.

Other oat recipes to try

If you tried these overnight steel cut oats or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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overnight oats in a jar

Overnight steel cut oats

★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Jess-Choosing Chia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These oats are SO quick and easy to throw together and will save you tons of time in the morning!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups oat milk (can sub any plant-based milk) 
  • 1 cup steel cut oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Add the water and almond milk to a small pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add the oats, salt, cinnamon and maple syrup, reducing heat to medium and stirring for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and cover the pot with the lid.
  4. Let sit on your stovetop or in the fridge overnight.
  5. In the morning enjoy the oats as they are or heat them up!

Notes

Make sure to use steel cut oats! They’re essential for this recipe.

Using a mix of water and plant-based milk will help give you super creamy oats. 

Don’t skip out o the pinch of salt. It will help bring out the flavour of the oats. 

You can swap out the maple syrup in this recipe for any sweetener you love. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 jar
  • Calories: 294
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 20mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 5g

Keywords: steel cut overnight oats, overnight oats, vegan overnight oats

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