5-Minute Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal

Name: 5-Minute Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 cups filtered water; 1 cup steel cut oats; pinch of salt; ½-1 cup milk of choice (can also use water, if desired)

Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Kid-Friendly, Nut-free, Soy-free, Sugar-Free, Vegan 13

5-Minute Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal- the easiest method for preparing steel cut oatmeal. Just five minutes of prep and you’ll wake up to cooked oats that are ready to heat and serve!

5-Minute Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal- the easiest method for preparing steel cut oatmeal. Just five minutes of prep and you'll wake up to cooked oats that are ready to heat and serve! (gluten-free, vegan, plant-based)

Oatmeal will forever be my favorite winter breakfast. I love that the warmth forces you to slow down and take your time enjoying each and every bite. That the toppings provide variety and it feels like a meal that’s nourishing you from the inside out.

The only draw back is the time and attention it takes to cook oatmeal. Especially steel cut oats which happen to be the best, in my opinion. The slightly chewy texture is so much better than the standard mush that cooked rolled oats produces.

When I first discovered this overnight method for cooking steel cut oats I must have done at least 7 cartwheels. It literally takes 5-minutes to prep them and when you wake up all you have to do is warm them and enjoy!

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

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
Contain important vitamins and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, selenium and iron

However, steel cut oats offer a slight nutritional advantage in that they are higher in fiber and may have a lower glycemic index compared to rolled or quick oats. They are less processed in that they haven’t gone through a steaming and flattening process which gives them a a coarser texture.

How to Prep Overnight Steel Cut Oats

The only disadvantage of steel cut oats is that they take longer to cook. Luckily I discovered this super easy method on Jackie’s blog (back in 2013!) and I’ve been making them this way ever since.

Let’s look at the steps so you can see for yourself how easy it is:

#1 Start by bringing 3 cups filtered water to a boil in a large pot then add 1 cup of steel cut oats and a pinch of salt.

#2 Allow the oats to boil for one minute and then turn the burner off and cover the pot with a lid. Now it’s bed time! Nighty-night! ;)

#3 When you wake up the next morning, stumble your way into the kitchen and the turn the burner back on to the high heat setting then pour in 1/2 cup to 1 cup (depending on thick you like your oats) of milk and stir together. I like to use unsweetened vanilla hemp milk for a boost of omega-3s.

As the oats begin to boil, continue to stir intermittently and cook, until about 4-5 minutes have passed. Then that’s it! They’re ready to be served warm with your favorite toppings.

How to Store Leftovers

Since this makes a fairly large batch, I usually have leftovers that I store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Then I just microwave them for about 2 minutes with a splash of milk to rehydrate.

This method has made eating oatmeal so much easier for me and I hope you find it does the same for you. Stay warm and enjoy, friends!

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