Brown Butter Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats have a chewy, hearty texture, and I prefer them hands down to rolled oats. Once the pot comes up to pressure, they take just 12 minutes to cook on the Porridge setting. Taking the extra step of browning the oats in butter gives the oatmeal a toasty, rich flavor and helps to keep it from sticking to the pot. Once you have tried your hot breakfast cereal prepared this way, you’ll never go back to plain oats and water. 
Servings Prep Time
4-6servings 5minutes
Cook Time
17minutes
Servings Prep Time
4-6servings 5minutes
Cook Time
17minutes
Ingredients
  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2cups steel cut oats
  • 4 1/2cups Water
  • 1/2teaspoon kosher salt
  • brown sugarfor serving
  • heavy creamfor serving
Instructions
  1. Select Sauté on the Instant Pot and melt the butter. Add the oats and sauté, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until aromatic and lightly toasted.
  2. Add the water and salt and stir to combine, making sure all of the oats are submerged in the liquid. 
  3. Secure the lid and set the Steam Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Porridge setting and set the cooking time for 12 minutes at high pressure. 
  4. Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes, then move the Steam Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and stir the oatmeal to incorporate any extra liquid. 
  5. Ladle the oatmeal into bowls and serve with brown sugar and cream.
Recipe Notes

Variations:

Apple cinnamon: Stir in 1 apple, chopped, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon with the water.
Pumpkin spice: Stir in 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice with the water.
Peanut butter–banana: Stir 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter into the finished oatmeal. Top each serving with banana slices.
Blueberry almond/pecan: Top each serving with a handful of fresh blueberries, a scattering of toasted sliced almonds or pecans, and a drizzle of honey.
Savory sesame soy: Omit the salt. Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce and add 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil with the water. Serve topped with a fried egg.