If you love the traditional overnight oats (made with rolled oats) but want to try making them with steel-cut oats, you’re in the right place! The difference between old-fashioned oats and steel cut oats lies in how they’re processed—steel-cut oats are less processed, resulting in a hearty, chewy texture. Plus, among the different types of oats, they take the longest to cook, but the payoff is a more substantial and satisfying bowl of oatmeal.
The beauty of this steel-cut overnight oats recipe is that soaking steel cut oats overnight lets time do all the hard work for you. And once you’ve mastered this simple method, you can explore other options like our Overnight Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats or Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats for even more convenient ways to enjoy this easy, satisfying, and healthy breakfast.
This recipe was originally published in Jan 2019. It has been updated with new information but with no changes to the original recipe in January 2025.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Making overnight oats with steel cut oats requires just three basic ingredients, plus optional add-ins and toppings. Each ingredient helps create a creamy texture and flavorful base, while still leaving room for substitutions or additions. Below is what will need:
- Steel Cut Oats: When shopping, be sure to choose regular steel-cut oats rather than quick-cooking varieties. Keep in mind that they’re sometimes labeled as Irish oats as well.
- Soaking Liquid: I like to use hot boiling water to soak steel cut oats overnight, but any regular or plant-based milk (such as almond milk) would also work.
- Kosher salt: A touch of salt help balance the natural earthiness of the oats.
How To Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats?
Making this steel cut overnight oatmeal recipe is straightforward and requires minimal effort. The time spent soaking overnight softens the oats, cutting down cooking time in the morning. I usually do this right before bed so that I can wake up to steel-cut oatmeal ready to eat:
- Boil the water: Bring 2 cups of water (or milk) to a boil in a medium saucepan with a lid.
- Add oats and salt: Turn the heat off and stir in the steel-cut oats and kosher salt. Cover the saucepan with the lid and let it sit on the counter overnight.
- Reheat in the morning: While you can enjoy your overnight steel oats as is, warming them up makes for a more comforting breakfast. Next morning, place the saucepan back on the stove over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, to prevent sticking. It should thicken in 3-5 minutes.
- Add almond milk: For a creamy steel-cut oatmeal, stir half a cup of almond milk if you use water as the base. Cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches your desired consistency. Adjust the amount of milk for a thinner or thicker oatmeal to suit your taste.
- Serve with toppings: Divide the oats into bowls and top with your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds. Be sure to scroll down to see my favorite topping suggestions. Alternatively, you can place them in mason jars, bring them to room temperature, and then store them in the fridge for up to 5 days for a grab-and-go breakfast.
Serving Suggestions with Optional Add-In and Toppings Ideas
This easy overnight Irish oats recipe is endlessly customizable, offering endless possibilities for mix-ins and toppings to keep things exciting. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Sweetener: You can use any sweetener you like. Maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, and brown sugar would all work. A splash of vanilla extract can also enhance the natural sweetness and add a hint of warmth. You can add it when adding the liquid (and let it soak overnight) or use it as a drizzle on top right before serving.
- Superfoods: I almost always make my overnight steel cut oats with chia seeds but you can also add ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. Add any of these superfoods with the liquid or use them as a topping.
- Nuts and nut butters: Adding a handful of nuts (like almonds, walnuts, or pecans) or a dollop of nut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter) not only makes your overnight steel cut oatmeal more delicious but also adds a boost of protein. You can also add a handful of chunky granola.
- Fresh fruit: Any fruit—like bananas, berries, apples, or pomegranate seeds—makes a great topping. Alternatively, mix in a few tablespoons of blueberry puree to naturally sweeten your overnight steel oats recipe.
- Yogurt: A dollap of Greek yogurt or even vanilla yogurt is a great way to add a tanginess while boosting the protein content of this overnight Irish oatmeal recipe. And if you are a fan of yogurt for breakfast, be sure to check out our Yogurt and Oats and Chia Yoghurt Pudding recipes.
- Spices: A sprinkle of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom adds warmth and depth of flavor to your oatmeal.
- Savory toppings: While most people associate this recipe with sweet flavors, I like to switch things up by adding savory toppings like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and a fried (or poached) egg. My savory steel cut oatmeal is a hearty and delicious breakfast option, using this exact recipe as the perfect base.
- Protein powders: Add a scoop or two of protein powder to create high protein steel cut overnight oats that are perfect for a satisfying and nutritious start to your day.
How to Meal Prep, Store, and Reheat?
Once you learn how to prepare steel-cut oats overnight, you’ll never run out of ideas for a satisfying breakfast. This recipe is perfect for meal prep and makes busy mornings so much easier. I usually make a big batch over the weekend and have it ready as a grab and go breakfast in the morning. Here is how I do it:
- To Meal Prep: Bring the oatmeal to room temperature, divide it amongst mason jars, add the toppings, and seal them with the lid. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Store: Place the leftovers in an airtight container (or a mason jar) and keep in the fridge.
- Reheat: If you prefer your steel cut oatmeal warm, warm it up in a small saucepan with a splash of water or milk over medium-low heat, stirring regularly. Alternatively, reheat it in the microwave, stopping and stirring every 15 seconds to ensure even heating. Add more water or milk as needed to adjust the consistency to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
You technically can, but I do not recommend it as it will be mushy when thawed. Still, if you want to freeze it, store it in a freezer safe airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Steel cut oats should soak for at least 6 hours, but 8–9 hours (or overnight) is ideal for the best texture.
The ideal ratio for this recipe is 1 cup of steel cut oats to 2 cups of water (or milk).
When stored in an airtight container or tightly sealed jar, your oatmeal will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Diet Key
This Recipe is:
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Overnight Steel Cut Oats Recipe
Ingredients
For The Steel Cut Oats
- 2 cups water, *
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
For The Toppings (Optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh fruit, or more
- 1/4 cup nuts
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds*
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan (with a lid).
- Turn the heat off and add the steel cut oats and salt. Stir to combine. Put the lid on.
- Let it sit on the kitchen counter overnight, at least 6 to 8 hours.
- Next morning, put it back on the stove and heat over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent it from sticking. It will thicken as it cooks.
- For a creamy texture pour in the almond milk, while stirring constantly.
- Cook until its consistency and texture reaches to your liking. Feel free to add in more milk if you like it to be thinner.
- Ladle into bowls, top them off with your favorite toppings, and serve while still warm. Alternatively, you can bring it to room temperature, divide it amongst 4 mason jars, add the toppings and store in the fridge for upt o 5 days for an easy grab and go breakfast.
Video
Notes
- Yields: This recipe makes about 3 to 3 1/2 cups of steel cut oatmeal, ideal for four servings. The nutrition facts below are per serving and do not include the toppings.
- Soaking liquid: I prefer to use water for soaking as I think it is lighter. However, you can use an equal amount of regular or dairy-free milk if you prefer.
- Optional add ins and toppings: If you prefer your oatmeal sweeter, you can drizzle it with honey (or maple syrup) right before serving. Additionally, you can get creative with toppings and add ins. Anything you have on hand from fresh fruit to nuts to nut butters to chocolate chips would all be great additions.
- No cook method: I found that a quick reheating in the morning produces the creamiest steel cut oatmeal. However, if you prefer a quicker option, you can enjoy these as no cook overnight steel cut oats. Give them a stir and serve right away with your favorite toppings.
- Storage: Leftovers can be placed in an airtight container (or mason jars sealed tightly) and kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I pour boiling water over my steel cut oats with black chia (1tblspoon each 1/2 tblspoon ground flaxseed)
I leave covered overnight for12 hours.
I then add 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, mix and microwave for only 2-1/2 minutes.
Sounds like a plan. Thanks for sharing your experience Mel.
Thank you so much for your recipes!
I just wanted to add that while there may not be nutritional differences, there is a difference in how our body metabolizes different oatmeal types – steel cut oats (or groats, actually) would be the result with lowest blood sugar spike because the starch is broken down in our gut over the longest period of time in the body. Instant oats will have the largest blood sugar spike.
Thanks for sharing your insight Asia.