A few weeks back, I disabled my Facebook newsfeed and subscribed to a print newspaper for the first time in years. Doing both felt remarkably good. It’s so nice to read the news without a bunch of inflammatory commentary, which – as we all know all too well – usually happens online. It’s also nice to know I’m getting my news from a reputable source, and to know I’m supporting the free press during this tumultuous time.
Know what else is nice? The ritual of it. I’d forgotten about how relaxing it is to grab the paper out of the driveway (our 5-year-old always helps – nightgown, mermaid slippers, and all), sit down with a cup of coffee, and snap open the paper. Sure, there are some stories here and there that are tough for sensitive-ol’-me to stomach, but they’re pretty easy to pass over in print if I need to.
Last week, I found myself looking forward to Sunday morning way more than usual, because I knew there would be a bit fat Sunday paper waiting for us to read while we sipped our coffee. Yeah, it’s a little different with the kiddo right there wanting to “read” with me, but still. Loving it.
I’ve also found that these Banana-Walnut Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats fit right in alongside the coffee and newspaper. It’s such a simple breakfast to whip up, and I like the idea of nourishing my body while I feed my mind. (I know, that makes me sound like a dork. But I am a dork, so. 🙂 )
I’ve been making steel cut oats in then Instant Pot for just about as long as I’ve owned one. So, you know, about 4 months or so. But I am in love with how steel-cut oats cook up in the pressure cooker – relatively fast, super creamy, perfect texture.
I thought I’d doctor up a batch with bananas for some natural sweetness, plus, for a nice dose of healthy goodness, all of the plant-based omega-3-rich foods I had in my cupboard. Chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, and walnuts, baby. Done and done.
I should note that I’ve never been a huge fan of walnuts (in some forms, they’re probably my least favorite food – and I wholeheartedly believe they should never go near a chocolate chip cookie). But when they’re chopped fine I can tolerate them – and sometimes I even toast up a few to add as a topper. In this recipe, I’m good with walnuts. Tiny ones.
Creamy, healthy, full of omega-3s, and just darn tasty. Start spreading the news! (Sorry, sorry.)
Instant Pot Banana Walnut Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats*
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped fine)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds (flaxseed meal)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 large ripe banana (mashed)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup**
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Topping ideas:
- Chopped toasted walnuts
- Banana slices
- A sprinkle of ground cinnamon
- Your favorite nut milk
Equipment:
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except toppings) to Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and make sure the release valve is in the "sealing" position.
- Use the manual button and set the timer at 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes is up, quick-release by flipping the release valve to "venting."
- Scoop oats into bowls and serve with optional toppers if desired.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I love keeping extras in the fridge for super-quick breakfasts.
Nutrition Facts
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
Looks tasty! Does this recipe need warm-up time on the Instant pot? Or do I set it to 10 minutes even if I don’t hear any pressure building up? Thanks! -Anna
Hi Anna, I’m not sure how other pressure cookers work but for my Instant Pot, I set it to 10 minutes and then it does spend some time building pressure/warming up before the 10 minutes kicks in. Probably about 15-20 minutes total.
How big of a pot are you using for this recipe? I have a 3qt. And would like to attempt this this week. Thank you.
Mine is a 6 quart, though it isn’t very full with this one.
I tried this recipe this morning and it is delicious. I appreciate the added Omega 3s. I’m new at Instant Pot cooking so I may be doing something wrong. However, my steam valve never popped up. I had the seal properly seated but basically, mine cooked but really did not pressure cook. After letting it sit for a few minutes, I turned it back on on manual for about 5 minutes but again, it did not pop up and did not pressure cook. Ideas? The manual said this can happen when there is insufficient stuff in the pot or the seal is not properly seated.
I’ve had this happen before, it’s so frustrating! I’ve been able to solve it by removing the seal in the lid and really scrubbing the Instant Pot. I also remove the steam valve and wash that completely too. I hope that helps.
Same thing happened to me just now. Never sealed and burned on the bottom. Although the oatmeal was cooked and tasted great.
I’d love to make this recipe! I’ve used my slow cooker and a pot on the stove for steel cut oatmeal, and I’m brand spanking new to my IP and just took it out of the box. I don’t have almond milk though, could I use regular cows milk instead? Or is that a no-no in the IP? Thank you for your help!
I have just gotten a 6 quart instant pot and besides the initial water test, this is the first recipe I have tried. I have attempted this recipe twice now and have gotten burn warnings both times. I have followed this recipe to a tee. I have even tried adding extra liquid. Any tips or suggestions ? Thank you 🙂
Hmm, not sure about the burn warning, I’ve never seen that! I would think extra liquid would take care of it. So weird. I’ll look a bit more into it and see if I can learn more.
We had the same issue! It’s the only time we’ve ever seen that with our Instant Pot. 🙁
Okay, well that’s weird. I guess I need to do some more testing with this recipe!
I tried this recipe and got the burn error. Disappointing.
Can you please tell me exactly which model of Instant Pot you have? I would love to get to the bottom of this problem!
I have the 8qt Duo.
I am also getting the burn error. I am wondering if it is because I have the 8 qt and the recipe is tested in a 6 qt?
I got the burn too. New 8 qt instapot ip-duo
Ugh, so sorry! Thanks for letting me know which Instant Pot you have. Looks like I need to order another and do some more testing with a newer/larger model.
Instant not insta
I keep getting the burn warning as well….and have added more and more liquid
Mine also burned after just a few minutes. I have a House is a 6 qt and I put it on timer for 10 minutes. Looked up in the manual to see if the “porridge” setting may be a better option and it says barley, oatmeal and other cereals sputter and clog the steam vent and should not be done in a pressure cooker at all 😞
**make that, “I have a GoWiseUSA 6QT”
This tastes amazing!! My whole family loved it. Ran into the same problem with instant pot, it said BURN and wouldn’t finish cooking it. Thinking almond milk maybe the culprit.
Finished cooking it on the stove and it turned out great. I’ll try again, anyone figure it out yet?
I used a 3 quart instant pot and substituted whole milk. I’m new to instant pot and don’t know what a “burn warning” is. I didn’t see anything unusual as it cooked, but it did burn on the bottom.
6 qt instant pot. Burn warning. Switched to porridge setting and low pressure. Still burn warning. 😢😫
In a few seconds, it started working. It might have been because pressure was too high. It still scorched the bottom. And the oatmeal was too think after completing the 10 min on porridge on low pressure plus 10 min natural release.
Just a suggestion for those of you encountering the sealing and “burn” message issue, try the recipe using the “pot-in -pot” method with use of the steaming rack. Basically, one cup of water in the pot, add the steamer rack, then put all steel cut ingredients (except the toppings) into a stainless steel bowl and put that onto the rack. Pressure cook for 10-12 minutes.
This is how I have been doing my oats and it works great! Also doing the pot-in-pot method results in easier clean-up.
Great idea! Thank you! I’m going to try this in my new IP too. Thanks again!
So, i’m Trying this now.
I have a 6qrt Duo plus.
I’ve made steel cut oats before and because of the 2Tbs of chia seeds (that absorb a LOT of liquid) i’ve Added an extra 1/2 cup.
It’s on “delay timer” for the morning rush so i’ll Let you know how it panned out in about 12hrs from now.
Ok, I did 3+1/2 cup of water (no flax as I was out) and did delay timer on the “porridge” setting.
I let it naturally release the pressure for 20mons.
Opened it up, gave it a stir and perfect!
Well, almost. I like my oatmeal a tad sweeter so I added extra maple syrup on top of the toppings.
But the overall cooking/end product was fine.
No “burn” error.
Woo hoo! This burn error situation is stressing me out! I need to reformulate the recipe for larger/newer Instant Pot methinks. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
So you add one cup of almond milk to the mixture that is cooked in the IP or is it just a topping suggestion? I realise the question’s a bit daft, I’ve just as a rule, added fatty liquids to pressure cooker after cooking’s done. Thanks! 🙂
Yes, right to the mixture. It adds a wonderful creaminess when the oats cook in it. I don’t find it to be too fatty. 🙂
Just tried it this morning. Came out great, but I cut the cook time back to 5 minutes and did not get the burn. When looking at other recipes for steel cut oats, the general cooking time was 3-4 minutes. Love the flavors. Will definitely make this again. Thanks
Great recipe. I made this in the instant pot. I substituted unsweetened vanilla coconut milk for the almond milk and pecans for the walnuts. I eliminated the Flax seed and the vanilla. We topped with some fresh blueberries. It was easy and DELICIOUS!
I’ve made this a few times and haven’t gotten the burn warning (my IP is an older one), but I don’t cook it for 10 mins. Instead I cook it for 4-5 and then let the pressure naturally release. I still get a slight cooked layer on the bottom so I can’t imagine cooking it for 10 mins.
Delicious healthy recipe by the way! For breastfeeding mamas, this is actually a great lactation recipe with the oats and flax- I just add brewer’s yeast after it’s done cooking. I also stir in peanut butter before eating!
Oh, good point about it being lacation-friendly!
Made this recipe this morning, turned out perfect. I did use some of the suggestions in the other comments – added 1/2 cup of water and used the porridge setting for 10 minutes and let the pressure naturally release. The only other thing I did was to add the maple syrup after the cooking was completed.
I made this in an 8qt instant pot and doubled the recipe… it turned out great!!
This was my first attempt and
I got the burn warning too in a 3 quart so I don’t think the size of the pot is the issue. I saw another recipe where it says to melt butter in the pot, then turn off add all ingredients and then set timer – I think I may try this. I kind of believe the error is with having no oil, the oats stuck to the bottom and I think that is what set the burn error off. If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again will be my motto.
Maybe the result of people burning their recipe is from your instructions and #2. You state to use the manual button and set timer to 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes is up, quick release by flipping the valve to “venting”.
As an instant pot newbie, I feel that after 10 minutes people may be timing from when they start the manual button then switch to venting before the 10 minutes actually starts the cooking(?)
Worked perfectly! Had a bit of sticking to the bottom of the pot, but no burn error. I stirred the oatmeal and most of the stuck stuff came up!
This recipe worked out great! I have a 6qt Instant Pot so the timing as well as stirring the mashed banana worked well. The only change I made was omitting the brown sugar, and using 1/2 almond milk with 1/2 water. I’ll be making this again for sure!
So good! I did get the burn notice but I added more water and put to low pressure and bam! Sooo good. Will definitely be a staple in this house
Would you happen to have cost per serving for this recipe? Interested in using this for some of my heart patients!
I normally loathe eating oatmeal but this was the best oatmeal I’ve ever had in my life. Thank you a delicious and healthy recipe!
I’m so glad you liked this one! Thanks so much!
I just finished making this and although I did not get the BURN warning, it did stick pretty badly to the bottom of the pot. I used the 6 quart instant pot and followed the recipe exactly. After looking at several different recipes for steel cut oats, perhaps the 10 minute cooking period is too long? Other recipes call for 4 to 5 minutes. I love the recipe and the flavors and will certainly make it again. I think I will try 6 minutes next time and see what happens. Thanks for a really good recipe.
I have made this recipe many times and reduced the time to six minutes. Perfect every time!
My pan got burnt 😰
I got the burn warning as well. I solved this by using the pot in pot method. I put a cup of water in the bottom of the main pot and put the oatmeal in the smaller pot.
Thank you for sharing!
I also got the burn food warning pretty soon after it came to pressure. I don’t think it matters whether you do it for 10 minutes or 6. I think it maybe related to the sugars in the ingredients, possibly -Bananas and maple syrup. I make plain steel cut oats all the time and I never have a burn warning.
I love the flavor of this recipe.
I can’t wait to try..Just FYI, i do steell cut oats weekly and my cook time is 4 minutes. I substitute one can of coconut milk and change up the mixings every once in a while. But 4 minutes is all it takes and it isn’t get overdone and I’ve never gotten burn notification.
Cheers
Thanks!
Wanted to thank you for this delicious recipe! I’ve been making it a lot. I subbed Hemp Hearts for Flax and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure with a 10 minute natural release.
Thank you for sharing and for the review! Love the idea of using hemp seeds instead.