Steel Cut Oats Recipe
I eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast. Josh is not a big oatmeal fan, he prefers cold cereal, toast, or a frittata in the morning. He doesn’t like the mushy texture of oatmeal. I recently got him to try steel cut oats though and he is hooked.
Steel cut oats have a different texture, they are chewy and a little crunchy-not mushy at all. I made a batch one weekend and offered him a bowl. He was a little hesitant, but said sure. He scarfed down the bowl. He loved them! Now we enjoy them all of the time. Last week, I got home from work and he said he had a craving…I was pretty sure he was going to say pizza, but nope, he was craving steel cut oats, so we had them for dinner:)
If you haven’t tried steel cut oats before, here is a little background information. Steel cut oats are unrefined whole grain groats that have been dried and cut into two to three pieces by steel, rather than being rolled. They are rich in B-vitamins, calcium, protein and fiber. They look like tiny grains of rice or chopped up nuts. You can find them in most grocery stores. I buy mine in the bulk food section.
Steel cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats, about 30-40 minutes, but they are so worth the wait. I usually make a big batch on Sunday so I have oats during the week. I portion them out into little containers and take them to work to heat up. They taste just as good reheated. I just add a splash of milk and stir them up. My favorite toppings are cinnamon and raisins.
I made bruleed steel cut oats for Josh one morning-for a special treat. I never add sugar to the oats, but I knew Josh would appreciate a sweet surprise. I sprinkled brown sugar and turbinado sugar on the top of the oats and fired them up with my creme brulee torch. He loved the sugary crust on top of the oats.
If you haven’t tried steel cut oats, give them a try. They are so good and good for your heart too!
Steel Cut Oats
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
3 1/2 cups water
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon, Raisins, or whatever toppings you likeDirections:
1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the steel cut oats and and salt. Stir.
2. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 30 minutes. Make sure you stir the oats occasionally so they don't stick to the pan.
3. When the oats start to thicken, at about 30 minutes, add in the milk and vanilla. I think the milk makes the oats creamier. Stir the oats, milk, and vanilla together and cook for ten more minutes.
4. Add in the cinnamon and raisins or whatever toppings you wish.
5. If you want to make bruleed oats-put the oats in a bowl, sprinkle with brown sugar and turbinado sugar. With a creme brulee torch, fire the top of the oats until the sugar is crystalized.
Serve the oats hot. If you want you can let the oats cool and then portion them out into smaller containers. To reheat, I add a splash of milk and reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
*Note-you can use 4 cups of water and omit the milk, I just like the creaminess the milk adds.*
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Baked Oatmeal from Two Peas and Their Pod
Maple Steel Cut Oat with Cinnamon Apples from 80 Breakfasts
Steel Cut Oatmeal Scotchies from Sarah’s Cucina Bella
Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats from Barbara Bakes
Welcome to Two Peas and Their Pod. We share a love of cooking, baking, and entertaining. We enjoy creating recipes that are simple, fresh, and family friendly. Join us in our culinary adventures-our kitchen is always open! 
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I haven’t had steel cut oats in soooo long and this makes me want to run out and get them right now. How beautiful and delicious!
Marilyn replied: — January 14th, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
We had them a a friends place over New Years. My husband has always hated Oatmeal as they ate it everyday at Military School. Now he loves them. They were made with chopped almonds, dried fruit a dash of Vanilla,and some pumpkin spice. It was delish. Now we have it 3x week. Make a big batch on Sunday that lasts all week. I love it as he was having too many eggs. Stick with the Steel Cut they have sooo much falvor.
I’m so glad I just saw this recipe! I have some leftover steel cut oats from a recipe and have been pondering what to do with them… going to try this for sure! Yum!
I’ve been eating more oatmeal, love cinnamon and I like adding raisins or other dried fruit in the mix as you have. The vanilla is a nice touch.
I’m just impressed you have a creme brulee torch
I completely agree steel cut oats are worth the wait!!
I have never heard of these, I am wondering if they are called something different in the UK. Off to find out!
Alright! Another breakfast recipe that tastes like dessert. My favorite kind!
I just bought some steel cut oats and your post is the perfect enticement to go make it. I love that you used your torch on your husband’s!
Oatmeal rocks, but bruleed oatmeal… I’m seriously swooning. Steel cut oats are my absolute favorite — and not just because they’re better for me (though that’s a nice added bonus).
I’ve never tried them! My husband loves oatmeal and I do too, although I eat mine with salt. I know that sounds weird, but it’s how my dad eats it too. I think we are the only two people on Earth who do!
Bruleed oatmeal is one of my favorites, so delish. I typically use quick-cooking steel cut oats though—when I’m craving oats, I can hardly stand waiting the 5 minutes, much less 30!
Love the bruleed idea. That makes it extra special! Have a great “Friday” and weekend!!!
thanks for the recipe! I still haven’t tried them but really want to!
I’ve been meaning to try some steel cut oats… and I love the bruleed top! Very fun
I love oatmeal. Haven’t tried steel cut yet though.
Yum!! Steel cut oats and creme brulee are two of my most favorite things!!! I soak my steel cut oats overnight and it takes just 5 minutes or so to perfection!
I knew there was a great reason I waited all day to read this post…I wanted it full size and not mini on my phone. I love having a big batch of steel cuts in the fridge for grab and go goodness. They are so worth the longer cooking time. Your oats are finally in the mail from my giveaway….they have a similar “nutty” profile with a 5 minute cook time. The brulée concept is awesome!
My Chinese son-in-law thinks he hates oats. I convinced him to try them steel-cut & Chinese-style and now he’s a convert! He adds soy sauce, sliced scallions, few drops of sesame oil, and sometimes an egg on top.
Mmm, those look so good (and healthy!). I will have to give them another try. I have an almost-full box languishing in the pantry after a not-so-hot overnight crockpot recipe.
I can already tell I’m going to love your website! Last month I started making steel cut oats every Sunday, then me and my 17 month old daughter share a bowl every morning. I mix it with brown sugar, blueberries and milk.
Oh wow! I make steel cute oats a lot and they tend to get a bit boring..but THESE look like dessert for breakfast, and who doesn’t get into that?!?!?
Darling picture. I love steel cut oats, and they are so good for you!
You have just convinced me to try this recipe, which is AMAZING, since you know how much I despise all things oatmeal (except oatmeal cookies). You rock, Maria. Will you move in with me so you can be my full-time healthy eating cheerleader?
LOVE that fact that your Hub requested your favorite dish. I had a moment like that this week when my Hub requested hot, spicy soup with noodles. It made me feel good that we are on the same path.
Love them with cinnamon! Steel cut oats are our favorite too.
I just made your steel cut oats, and they taste really good! But mine look much mushier and gloppier than yours. Yours look so dry (in a good way). Any advice?
twopeas replied: — February 23rd, 2010 @ 8:04 am
Rachel-did you overcook them? Maybe that is why they got mushy? Let me know if you try them again!
I love steel cut oats. never thought about bruleeing them but I like the idea.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about steel cut oats. I think I will try your recipe and make it on a Sunday like you to have for the week.
I love steel cut oats as well. We usually cook ours in a crockpot for a couple of hours on low then turn it to warm overnight. We also add in dried fruit which ends up getting really moist and juicy overnight. It is amazing!
LOVE steel cut oats! I never thought to “brulee” them, but I’ll give it a try… I usually do dates and pecans in mine…
I cook steel cut oats in the microwave and they cook in 4 minutes. I use Coaches Oats and add ground flaxseed, walnuts and dried cranberries. When cooked I top with fresh blueberries and soy milk, YUMMY!! Love your ideas!
I love steel cut oats but it’s been a while…I have a package in the pantry, I think you just inspired me to make a big batch for breakfast this week!
I tried this for the first time today. Great, but it didn’t take near the cooking time. I cooked it for 10 minutes, added the milk and cooked for 5 minutes more and it was done.
I was so inspired by this, that I told my doctor I was going to stop taken my cholesterol pill, since I was convinced it caused me aches and pains. This was 3 months ago. I started to eat this Steel cut oats every morning, changed my diet, joined an exercise club and lost 14 lbs, only needed to lose 10.
Today I went to see the doctor and I was convinced my cholesterol would be down quite a bit.
Well, surprise surprise, my cholesterol had doubled and needed to go back to the pills instantly.
It probably is genetic, but I had really hoped for a diffferent result. So this steel cut oats may work for some people, but it didn’t do diddly squat for me. Too bad.
If you like these oats you will also probably like cracked wheat cereal. How to follows:
1) start with whole wheat kernels – not the flour – the actual wheat.
2) put around 1/2 cup of whole wheat at a time into a blender. pulse briefly to break the kernels in half.
3) boil water 2 cups water with two or three pinches of salt.
4) add 1/2 cup cracked wheat (from blender) to water. Stir.
5) cover and reduce to simmer. stir every 5-10 minutes.
6) after 40 minutes most of the water should be gone.
7) serve with milk, raisins, brown sugar, blueberries, sliced almonds, cinnamon, yogurt, or whatever else you like to eat on your cereal …
When I add the cereal to the water in step 4, I often also add a little barley, rye, pepitas, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds … stuff like that.
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I love steel cut oats! My only difference is that I add the salt late in the cooking process so the oats soak up more liquid. Instead of a breakfast dish ( I usually have miso soup for breakfast), I generally serve oats as a side during dinner.
Please can u suggest some oatmeal recipe for breakfast which is not sweet in taste. Someone suggested a chinese recipe with soya sauce and all but it is not clear.
I’m all for hot cereal during the winter months and I love oatmeal and brown sugar. Have never tried steel cut oats and your photo certainly makes me want to give them a go.
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Just made this, and it was quite good. I used buttermilk for the milk, but otherwise proceeded just as written. Thanks for the recipe!
twopeas replied: — December 26th, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
You are very welcome!
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Just wondering: in terms of reheating during the week, how would you recommend doing this? Thanks so much!
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This sounds wonderful! Sadly my kids won’t wait an hour for breakfast.. I’ve heard you can soak them overnight and they’ll cook quicker? Do you know anything about that?
Thanks!
twopeas replied: — February 3rd, 2011 @ 9:14 pm
You can make them the night before and keep them in the fridge. Just reheat in the morning.
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I’ve been cooking these for about an hour now and they still have so much more liquid to absorb. Is the pot supposed to be covered? If so, that’s not indicated. This is taking foooooooooreverrrrrrr. Wah.
twopeas replied: — February 20th, 2011 @ 6:44 pm
No, we never cover our pot. Do you have the temperature up high enough? It never takes ours that long to cook and absorb the liquid.