Breakfast Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe - A Red Spatula (2024)

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 anyway you like.

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

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.

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.

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.

4. 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.

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

• Breakfast
• Pressure Cooker
• Oats