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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Breakfast Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe

    Published: Dec 3, 2021 · Modified: Apr 13, 2022 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Are you looking for a new breakfast idea? Swap your regular oats for this Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe. It is a simple porridge recipe that you can dress up anway yo

    This is one of my favorite breakfasts to make, especially during the colder months. It is warming and filling.

    Oat groats cooked in the instant pot and topped with apples, walnuts, and maple syrup.

    If you love oats, then I think you will also enjoy, this creamy oatmeal recipe and this baked berry oatmeal.

    What Makes This The Perfect Breakfast?

    Oat groats have a chewy texture and delicious nutty flavor! If you have limited yourself to just steel-cut oats, regular oats, or even quick-cooking oats, you need to branch out!

    It is a really simple recipe and the easiest way to make oat groats. Seriously, if you are cooking this on a busy morning, all you have to do is add everything to the instant pot and walk away. This will give you time to get yourself and the kids ready, then breakfast is done when you are.

    This hot cereal recipe is customizable. The topping ideas are endless. I will share some of my favorites below.

    Looking for more whole-grain breakfast ideas? Try some overnight oats with protein powder or this spelt porridge.

    Jump to:
    • What Makes This The Perfect Breakfast?
    • Ingredients
    • What are Oat Groats?
    • How To Make Oat Groats Instant Pot
    • How to Serve Oat Groats for Breakfast
    • How to Store
    • Expert Tips
    • More Cereal and Oatmeal Recipes
    • Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe
    A closeup of oat groats before cooking.

    Ingredients

    • Oat groats: Keep in mind this is the whole grain, it is not steel-cut oats, regular oats, and certainly not quick-cooking oats. In the store or package, they will be labeled as oat groats.
    • Water: For cooking the groats. I don’t add any milk products until serving time.
    • Salt: Just a touch for some added flavor.
    • Toppings: I like to use apples, walnuts, pure maple syrup, and a touch of heavy cream. This combination will vary with the season though. I use more berries and seeds in the summer.

    What are Oat Groats?

    They are whole oat kernels that have been minimally processed. They are cleaned, toasted, hulled, and cleaned again. The germ, endosperm, and bran of the oat are all still intact.

    They are often cooked and served as a breakfast cereal but can also be used to prepare a side dish similar to rice or used in a salad or stuffing recipe.

    I also highly recommend cooking up some buckwheat groats for meals!

    Oat Groats vs Oatmeal

    So how do oat groats stack up to other types of oatmeal? The easiest answer is that they are simply less processed which makes them a healthier whole grain than regular oatmeal and quick oats.

    Steel Cut Oatmeal: Another form of oatmeal, steel cut oats are the most similar to groats as they also are minimally processed. The groats are cut into small pieces which is why they cook in less time. You can also make instant pot steel cut oats!

    Oatmeal: This ingredient is made by steaming the groats and then flattening them and quick cooking oats are flattened even thinner and in smaller pieces. This process speeds up their cooking time.

    Where do I buy oat groats?

    I am fortunate in my area to have a Winco with a great bulk food section. This is where I purchase mine and they are very cheap there.

    I prefer to buy in bulk bins where possible as it is so much cheaper. They may also be available at other health food stores with a bulk food section.

    You can also buy oat groats online from various online stores.

    How To Make Oat Groats Instant Pot

    This recipe for whole oat groats goes together in a snap! Here are the highlights of the basic steps involved!

    1. Place the two cups of oat groats, four and a half cups of water, and salt into your electric pressure cooker. I use an Instant Pot, but they all work about the same.
    2. Put the lid on and seal. Cook for 18 minutes on high pressure. When the timer goes off, use natural release pressure for about 8-10 minutes.
    3. Finish releasing whatever pressure is left then carefully remove the lid.
    Oat groats in an Instant Pot.
    Oat groats and water in a pressure cooker.
    Cooked oat groats in a Instant Pot.

    PRO TIP: You may find a liquid remaining depending on the specific brand of grain you used and the pressure of your pressure cooker. But don't worry, things aren't ruined. Drain it off or turn your pressure cooker to the saute setting and let the liquid cook off. Just make sure and keep an eye on it, mixing occasionally so it doesn’t burn.

    1. Serve your oat groats with your favorite toppings as you like!

    How to Serve Oat Groats for Breakfast

    The topping ideas are endless!! I like to top with a little milk, heavy cream, or a pat of butter. This adds extra calories, but is good!

    You can top it just like I did or you can try one of these other ideas for creating oat breakfast bowls!

    • Nuts are always a great idea. I used walnuts but pecans, cashews, and hazelnuts work well. For nut-free you can use chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pepitas.
    • Add some fresh fruits. I used apples in mine but berries and peaches are also really good if they are in season.
    • Sweeten it! You can add some brown sugar, honey, or sweeten your oatmeal without sugar.
    • Add some vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice!
    • Dried fruit. Used in combination with fresh fruit or alone. Dried cranberries are a favorite.
    • Nut butter makes a great way to add more protein to your bowl. Stir it in just before serving.
    • Add some chocolate. Stir in some cocoa powder or add chips or cacao nibs on top.
    Oat groats cooked in the instant pot and topped with apples, walnuts, and maple syrup.

    How to Store

    Uncooked groats: Store these in a cool place such as the pantry. Transfer to a container or store in the packaging. Just make sure they are well sealed. They will last up to two years on the shelf.

    Meal prep: Oat groats are perfect to make ahead! So feel free to make a double batch and freeze it.

    Leftovers: After cooking they will last in the fridge for up to five days or you can also freeze oatmeal for up to three months. When freezing, I like to package them in individual containers so I can easily pull out the exact amount I need.

    Reheat: If frozen, pull them out the night before and thaw in the refrigerator. To heat leftover oatmeal, place the leftovers in a saucepan with a touch of liquid and then heat over medium heat until warmed.

    Expert Tips

    This recipe is really simple to make, but let me share a few tips.

    • Make sure your lid is sealed before walking away. It seems like a silly thing, but I cannot even tell you how many times I have done this!
    • Be sure to let the oats release naturally. They will continue to cook and hydrate during that time, so don’t cut them off!
    • I don’t add milk products during cooking time. I will occasionally get the burn notice if I do but cooking them with water on its own solves that.
    • Cooked oat groats will hold in your fridge for at least a week after cooking. They reheat well, so it makes a great meal prep!
    • Try them in savory dishes! They work for meals beyond breakfast. Use them as a base for grain bowls, add them to cold salads, or turn them into a pilaf for dinner.

    More Cereal and Oatmeal Recipes

    • Southern grits on a black plate with melted butter on top.
      Easy Instant Pot Grits
    • Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats
    • Raw old-fashioned oats in a ceramic bowl.
      How To Sweeten Oatmeal Without Sugar
    • Creamy Oatmeal Recipe
    Oat groats cooked in the instant pot and topped with apples, walnuts, and maple syrup.

    Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe

    Amy Sandidge
    If you are looking for a simple and delicious breakfast, these oat groats cooked in the instant pot are it!
    4.69 from 41 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • pressure cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ½ cups water
    • 2 cups oat groats
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • toppings of choice I love to use pure maple syrup, apples, and nuts of some kind. You can also use seeds, dried fruits, etc.

    Instructions
     

    • Add the oats, water, and salt to your pressure cooker. Place the lid on and set to seal. Then set the cooking time to 18 minutes.
    • Once it is finished cooking, let it natural release for about 8-10 minutes.
    • Finish releasing pressure and carefully remove the lid. If there is still a lot of liquid, you can either turn it on saute and let it cook out (make sure to keep an eye on this and mix as it can burn quickly), or you can drain the water off.
    • Top with whatever toppings you like. I always add maple syrup, a touch of heavy cream, and some kind of nuts. There are a lot of options!
    • Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!

    Video

    Notes

     
    • First, make sure your lid is sealed before walking away. It seems like a silly thing, but I cannot even tell you how many times I have done this!
    • Be sure to let the oats release naturally. They will continue to cook and hydrate during that time, so don’t cut them off!
    • I don’t add milk products during cooking time. I will occasionally get the burn notice if I do, so I just switched to cooking them with water.
    • These oat groats will hold in your fridge for at least a week after cooking. They reheat well, so it makes a great meal prep!
    Keyword cooking oat groats, creamy oat groats recipe, oat groats
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Breakfast
    • Pressure Cooker
    • Oats
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.69 from 41 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Joy says

      May 06, 2023 at 1:43 am

      You don't say how much water to add to how much oats!! That is the most basic information that is needed.

      Reply
      • admin says

        May 06, 2023 at 2:15 am

        Hi Joy, if you will scroll to the bottom of the post you will find all the ingredients, measurements and cooking method in the recipe box. It is printable and shareable too. You can either scroll to it or click the jump to recipe button at the top. It is 4 1/2 cups of water to 2 cups of oat groats. Let me know if you need anything else in making this recipe!

        Reply
        • Allie says

          July 21, 2023 at 1:23 am

          5 stars
          Such a kind response to such a rude comment! Thank you for your recipe ❤️

          Reply
          • admin says

            July 21, 2023 at 2:54 am

            You are so welcome!

            Reply
      • Susie says

        May 12, 2023 at 7:22 am

        5 stars
        INGREDIENTS

        4 ½ cups water
        2 cups oat groats
        ½ teaspoon salt

        Reply
    2. Deborah van der Goes says

      August 11, 2023 at 2:44 pm

      Well...there was so much sputting of oaty water through the vent that I gave up and cooked it via the slow cooker.

      Reply
      • admin says

        August 12, 2023 at 10:29 pm

        It does sputter a bit, but not too much? What size is your pressure cooker?

        Reply
    3. Laura says

      October 09, 2023 at 2:11 pm

      4 stars
      These were good - I would love a creamier groat. Any advice on using the pressure cooker for that - or is a combo with high/low slow cook best?

      Reply
      • Amy Sandidge says

        October 09, 2023 at 2:45 pm

        Hi Laura! There are a couple things you can do. The first is add in about 3/4 cup more liquid. Once the cooking time is over, add a little time on saute or low heat to cook. What I like to do is add in a little almond milk after you pressure release. Let this cook on low for about 5 minutes. You can also add in cream or half and half before serving and heat it on low. The last option is to cook it as called for and with an immersion blender, mix for about 10-20 seconds, you don't want to break up all the groats, just some of them. This will give the groats a very creamy consistency. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      September 20, 2024 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      Thank you! Delicious! I enjoyed the grouts with chopped mango, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and soy milk.

      Reply
      • Amy Sandidge says

        September 20, 2024 at 2:07 pm

        I am so happy to hear you like this recipe! Having never tried them with mangoes before, I think I need to add this to my list- yum!

        Reply
    5. Salli says

      October 26, 2024 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious

      Reply
      • Amy Sandidge says

        October 27, 2024 at 4:05 am

        So glad you liked it. It is such a simple breakfast!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

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