Steel Cut Oats

With just a handful of simple ingredients, this freezer-friendly steel-cut oats recipe takes the stress out of busy mornings. It’s easy to prep ahead and deliver a warm, creamy, perfectly spiced breakfast every time. Top it with your favorite add-ins for a customizable meal you’ll love changing up again and again.

Freezer meals aren’t just for dinners or lunches, they’re a lifesaver at breakfast too! On hectic school or work mornings, having a hearty option like these steel-cut oats ready to go makes all the difference.

This recipe is a perfect example of how batch cooking can save you time and stress. Inside the Freezer Meals 101 Club, we’ve spent nearly 20 years perfecting the art of freezer cooking so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Join us today and take part in our monthly live cooking class, where you can get your freezer meal questions answered in real time!

Steel Cut Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups of steel-cut oats
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• topping options (see below)

Assembly Instructions:

• Melt butter over medium heat in a stovetop pot. Add oats.
• Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until oats start to toast and give a nutty smell.
• Add water and milk. Stir.
• Add salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Simmer, covered for 10-25 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, until your desired consistency is reached.
• Transfer to Souper Cubes or a regular-sized silicone muffin tray. Add toppings.
• Freeze.
• Once fully frozen, pop out of the tray and transfer to large resealable freezer bags.

Serving Instructions:

• Can be heated from frozen.
• To serve, place a frozen serving in a bowl and add a splash of milk.
• Microwave for 3-4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. (Note that microwave ovens vary, so it may take more or less time to cook depending on your microwave.)

Topping Ideas for Freezer-Ready Steel Cut Oats

Pick your favorite toppings to flavor the steel-cut oats however you would like.

Topping could include:

• Granny Smith apple skin on, cored and cut into small cubes with cinnamon, maple syrup, and brown sugar
• Coconut
• Sliced almonds
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Honey
• Chia seeds
• Toasted pecans
• Raisins
• Chocolate chips
• Sliced bananas
• Peanut butter or almond butter swirl
• Dried cranberries
• Jam or fruit preserves

Additional Substitution Ideas for this Recipe

You can use coconut, almond, or another milk alternative to make this recipe vegan.

For more breakfast ideas like this one, check out our Mixed Berry French Toast Casserole, Make-Ahead Quiche, or Breakfast Sandwiches.

Print

Steel-Cut Oats

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

4 mins

 

Course: Breakfast

Servings: 8

Calories: 221 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cup steel cut oats
• 4 cup water
• 2 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. Melt butter over medium heat in a stovetop pot.
2. Add oats.
3. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until oats start to toast and give a nutty smell.
4. Add water and milk.
5. Stir.
6. Add salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.
7. Stir and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer.
8. Simmer, covered for 10-25 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, your desired consistency is reached.
9. Transfer to Souper Cubes or regular sized silicone muffin tray.
10. Add toppings.
11. Freeze.
12. Once fully frozen, pop out of tray and transfer to large resealable freezer bags.

Serving instructions:

1. Can be heated from frozen.
2. To serve, place a frozen serving in a bowl and add a splash of milk.
3. Microwave for 3-4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. (Note that microwave ovens vary so it may take more or less time to cook depending on your microwave.)

Recipe Notes

You can use coconut or another milk alternative to make this a vegan recipe.
Topping options: Granny Smith apple skin on, cored and cut into small cubes with cinnamon, maple syrup and brown sugar, coconut, sliced almonds, strawberries, blueberries, honey, chia seeds, toasted pecans, raisins, chocolate chips, sliced bananas