Instant Pot Cinnamon Apple Steel Cut Oats
My parents got Jason and I an Instant Pot for Christmas and it's the gift that just keeps on giving. We are absolutely in love with it. We didn't even ask for it but my parents had heard great things so they got all of us kids one. It's seriously the gift I didn't even know I wanted, but now can't imagine life without it. Obviously with two kids under two time is limited, but I still want to eat healthy and homemade as much as I can. The Instant Pot is the answer to this! I probably use it at least 5 times a week to make entire chickens, bone broth, steel cut oats, soups, stews, rice and quinoa. We've only had it for a few weeks and we have tried so many different things and have loved them all. I will share recipes I try on my Instagram stories to make sure to follow me there. My username is @staceykasdorf.
Honestly one of the things I was most excited to make in the IP was steel cut oats! I love their texture, but it seriously takes hours in the slow cooker and doesn't get soft enough for me on the stove top. I figured I would give them a try in the IP, and I am so glad I did. They take 20 minutes and come out SO creamy and delicious. I make a batch of this at the beginning of every week for me and Everly to have for breakfast. It's so nice in the mornings not to have to think about making breakfast, especially if Rosie needs my attention and Everly is starving. I have been eating this for some lunches and snacks as well because oats are really good to keep your milk supply up. I would eat it for every meal if I could, it's that dang good. It's full of fiber, healthy fats and is warm, comforting and so flavorful. The apples get soft and sweet and the coconut milk makes them so creamy and delicious. I also added shredded carrot so that there were some vegetables in it, and you can't taste them at all. They are definitely optional though and it will taste just as good without them.
I know it can be tempting to buy oatmeal packets or bowls that you just add water to and heat up because they are convenient. Don't do it! You might as well be eating sugary cereal. They have so much added sugar and aren't full of any additional ingredients to up the nutritional value. Once you make a batch of this oatmeal you'll realize it's even quicker than those packets, and is way better for you. I feel good about eating this and feeding it to Everly because it's full of real ingredients, no added sugar and is gluten and dairy free! Check out the recipe below.
Creamy Cinnamon Apple Steel Cut Oats
Makes: 4-6 servings
Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup full fat coconut milk
3 cups almond milk
3 large carrots, shredded
1 cup steel cut oats
3 apples, diced
4 tbs ground flaxseed
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
pinch of nutmeg
optional toppings: fresh apples, raisins, almond butter, hemp hearts
Instructions:
Start by cutting up your apples into bite sized pieces. I have used every kind of apple and they all taste amazing, so just pick your favorite kind. Then shred your carrots.
Add everything to the Instant Pot except for your toppings.
Choose the porridge setting on your Instant Pot which defaults to 20 minutes. Hit start and when it beeps I let the pressure release naturally to really make sure they're cooked through and creamy.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge and heat up when ready to eat. Once they sit in the fridge they thicken up quite a bit so you can add a bit more liquid when you reheat to eat if you want them thinner. I usually top mine with almond butter and raisins, but you could top with whatever you like!
Best,
Stacey