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Overnight Steel-Cut Oats
Steel-cut oats don't soften like rolled oats when you soak them, so there are two ways to make them overnight: soak them for a chewy jar, or cook one batch on Sunday for soft, creamy oats all week.
Tips for the best overnight steel cut oats
- Soak steel-cut oats 8 to 12 hours; they stay chewy and nutty.
- For soft steel-cut oats, use the make-ahead batch method below.
- Use microwave-safe jars and reheat until steaming hot, stirring every minute.
Overnight Steel-Cut Oats recipe
Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup steel-cut oats
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions
- Stir steel-cut oats, milk, maple syrup and cinnamon together in a microwave-safe jar.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, 8 to 12 hours.
- Eat cold (chewy) or microwave uncovered 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until steaming hot.
Make it different: Use half oat milk, half water for a lighter jar.
* Protein amounts are estimates based on typical USDA values for common products. Brands vary, especially protein powder, bread and sausage, so check your labels.
More ways to make it
Make-Ahead Steel-Cut Oats (4 Jars)
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Directions
- Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Stir in the steel-cut oats, lower the heat and simmer uncovered 25 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until tender.
- Stir in the milk and cinnamon. Let cool for 20 minutes, then divide among 4 jars and refrigerate within 2 hours.
- To serve, add a splash of milk and microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway, until steaming hot. Add any topping from this chapter.
Make it different: Top each jar differently: berries and yogurt, banana and peanut butter, or apple and cinnamon.
Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup steel-cut oats
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 apple
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp walnuts
Directions
- Dice the apple.
- Stir everything except the walnuts together in a microwave-safe jar.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, 8 to 12 hours.
- Eat cold (chewy) or microwave uncovered 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until steaming hot.
- Top with walnuts.
Make it different: Use a pear; swap walnuts for pecans.
Steel-Cut Protein Oats
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup steel-cut oats
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 scoop protein powder (vanilla)
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions
- Stir oats, milk and cinnamon together in a microwave-safe jar.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, 8 to 12 hours.
- Eat cold (chewy) or microwave uncovered 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until steaming hot.
- After warming, stir in the protein powder and peanut butter. Adding the powder after heating keeps it from turning gritty.
Make it different: Use chocolate protein powder and almond butter.
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Save to PinterestFAQ
Can you make overnight oats with steel-cut oats?
Yes, but they stay chewy when soaked. Use 1/4 cup steel-cut oats to 3/4 cup milk and soak 8 to 12 hours, or cook a batch ahead for a softer texture.
Do overnight steel-cut oats need to be cooked?
Soaked steel-cut oats can be eaten cold, but many people prefer them warmed. Microwave until steaming hot.
How long do cooked steel-cut oats last in the fridge?
Up to 4 days. Cool them and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
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