Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 9 Comments

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Making overnight steel cut oats is a quick and easy way of making a delicious and filling vegan breakfast. Made with steel cut oats, nut milk, salt, and water. It just requires 5 minutes of your time right before you go to sleep and another 5 minutes in the morning.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (1)

These overnight steel cut oats are filling, creamy, chewy, and so delicious. Make a large batch and have breakfast ready to go for the entire week.

They are so easy to make have a delicious texture, perfect for breakfast or even as a filling snack.

Ingredients you'll need

Making overnight steel cut oats requires the least amount of time and leads to delicious results. All you need are a few ingredients, including:

  • Steel cut oats: These are normally sold in packages or in the bulk section.
  • Water
  • Almond milk: Since we're making a vegan version, use store-bought or homemade almond milk.
  • Salt

You can also use additional toppings and ingredients to add flavor, including ground cinnamon, fresh berries, nut butter, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.

How to make overnight steel cut oats

1. Boil water: In a small pot, bring water to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil.

2. Add ingredients: Add oats, salt, and stir. Cover the pot and let it sit overnight. Turn off heat and cover the pot.

3. Warm oats: In the morning, mix the oats and warm on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

4. Add milk: Add milk and stir well. Add toppings and serve.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2)

Storing and reheating

If you have leftovers, let them cool down and place them in an air-tight glass container for up to 4-5 days. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply reheat the oatmeal on the stove top for a quick and easy breakfast. If the oats appear too thick, Just add a little water or milk and stir.

Top tips and suggestions

You can do so much with these basic overnight steel cut oats to boost the nutrition level, flavor, and more. Here are some of my favorite tips:

  • Use high-quality steel-cut oats: If your oats have been sitting for over a year, it might be best to compost them.
  • Add superfoods: Ingredients such as cinnamon, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and nut butter will boost the nutrition level in these oats. Be sure to add them in the morning when you're ready to enjoy the oats.
  • Sweeten naturally: Chopped dates, honey, and maple syrup are great options.
  • Use water: Adding nut milk will make your oats creamy, but you can also stick to water if you don't have milk on hand.
Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (3)

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats? The primary difference between rolled oats and steel cut oats lies in the amount of processing.

Steel cut oats, also called pinhead oats, are groats of whole oats that have been cut into a few pieces. Therefore, steel cut oats are the least processed and maintain the best texture when cooked. However, they also take the longest amount of time to cook, but with a little prep the night before, you can easily mitigate this.

Rolled or old-fashioned oats are made by steaming and pressing flat. If you are in a hurry and need breakfast in a few minutes (and didn't do any prep the night before), rolled oats are always a great option. Click here for the recipe that uses rolled oats instead.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (4)

More easy breakfast recipes

  • Cherry Breakfast Bars
  • Breakfast Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Overnight Oats Recipe
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl

I hope you love this overnight steel cut oats recipe as much as I do.Sign up for email updatesto receive new recipes delivered to your inbox or check out my new cookbookPlant Power Bowls.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (5)

Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Print Pin Rate

Prep time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes minutes

Total time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 313kcal

Author: Sapana Chandra

Making overnight steel cut oats is a quick and easy way of making a delicious and filling vegan breakfast. Made with steel cut oats, nut milk, salt, and water. It just requires 5 minutes of your time right before you go to sleep and another 5 minutes in the morning.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • pinch of salt

Additional Toppings

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup fresh berries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon nut butter
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

  • In a small pot, bring water to a boil the night before. As soon as the water comes to a boil, add the oats, salt, and stir.

  • Immediately turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let it sit overnight.

  • In the morning, mix the oats and warm on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

  • Add milk and any other ingredients you'd like to. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 53mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 3mg

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

More Breakfast Recipes

  • Vegan Blueberry Scones
  • Raspberry Smoothie
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl

About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maggie says

    Can regular milk be used? Or would I just skip and use water and get the same consistency? Also do you just leave the pot on the counter all night or in the fridge?

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

      Hi Maggie, you can use regular milk instead of almond milk when you warm up the oats in the morning. I just leave the pot on the counter all night.

      Reply

  2. Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

    Hi JC!! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The 1195 was an error in the system and has been corrected now. The sodium is coming from the pinch of salt which can be omitted.

    Reply

  3. Jess says

    This is the perfect ratio of ingredients! Turned out perfect, thanks!Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (10)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

      So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  4. Carley says

    Made this for breakfast. Loved how good they turned out.Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (11)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra says

      So glad to hear!

      Reply

  5. Riley says

    I had no idea how easy it was to make overnight steel cut oats! I cooked them last night and after a few minutes of warming up, they were ready to go this morning for my family. Thank you!Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (12)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra says

      It's so easy, isn't it?! I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2024)

FAQs

Why not use steel-cut oats for overnight oats? ›

Steel-cuts oats can be used but expect them to very chewy and fairly dense. Follow this tip: Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best when it comes to the variety to use for overnight oats. They'll give you that creamy, smooth texture with just the right amount of chew.

Are quick cook steel-cut oats as healthy as regular steel-cut oats? ›

"It's a common misconception that one type of oat is healthier than another," said Rizzo. "They are all actually identical in terms of their nutrition. The difference is how they are rolled and cut." However, Price added that since instant oats are the most processed option, they generally have salt and added sugars.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats for overnight oats? ›

Quick oats, also known as instant oats, or pre-packaged oats, are a great option for overnight oats. Quick Oats are very similar to rolled oats, except they have a finer cut, and are thinner. This increased amount of processing makes them easier to digest.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

What happens if I eat steel-cut oats every morning? ›

Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Which is healthier overnight oats or steel-cut oats? ›

There aren't any major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. All forms of oats are 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber and have the same nutritional information – same calories, fiber and protein per serving.

Are 5 minute steel cut oats healthy? ›

Both steel cut oats and rolled oats (or old fashioned oats) pack in a ton of nutritional benefits: Rich in a soluble fiber called beta glucan which has been linked to lower LDL cholesterol. Good source of anti-inflammatory antioxidants known as avenanthramides. Promotes healthy gut bacteria.

Do steel cut oats spike blood sugar? ›

Your body digests steel-cut oats slowly, but that doesn't mean they're hard to digest. It's actually better to digest slowly because it doesn't cause your blood sugar to spike.

Is it healthy to eat steel cut oats everyday? ›

Steel cut oats are a good source of fiber. This is about 20% of your recommended daily intake. Because the American diet today can be so deficient in many ways, eating steel cut oats on a regular basis can help you meet your body's daily fiber requirements and help keep your body healthy and functioning at its best.

What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture. Did this answer your question?

What happens if you make overnight oats with quick oats? ›

Quick oats and steel-cut oats will NOT work here. Quick oats will be too mushy, while steel-cut oats will be chewy and tough. Chia seeds – For extra protein and the perfect thick and creamy texture.

What kind of oats is best for overnight oats? ›

The Best Oats for Overnight Oats: Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

Why does oats overnight say not to use water? ›

Can I use water? No. Adding enough water to make your oats drinkable will greatly damage the taste. Think of it like eating cereal with water, don't do it!

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What can I use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

Is it OK to soak steel cut oats overnight? ›

Cover and soak for 6 hours or overnight (see notes for shortcuts). This will improve digestibility and also slightly speed cooking time. It also yields fluffier, creamier oats! The following day (or 6 hours later), add a pinch of salt and bring to bubbling boil over high heat.

Is it safe to eat overnight steel cut oats? ›

Let oats sit for at least 6 hours, but ideally 8 hours to ensure they're fully cooked and tender. And yes, it is safe to leave the oatmeal overnight! Trust me, I've made this recipe a thousand times.

Is it best to soak steel cut oats overnight? ›

Overnight soak: The most common method of soaking oats is to mix them with water or milk and let them soak in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften, making them easier to digest.

Can steel cut oats be soaked overnight and eaten raw? ›

You can eat overnight oats cold, straight from the fridge, or you can heat them up if desired. Use a mason jar or other storage container to take your oats on the go if needed.

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