Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Here’s how to make the perfect bowl of creamy overnight steel-cut oats. It’s a healthy make-ahead breakfast that you can enjoy all week long with all kinds of toppings!

Easy Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Oh how I miss my leisurely mornings when I could get up, brew myself a cup of tea, enjoy a bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal, brush my teeth (nowadays I don’t even get to it until after 9!)…

Thanks to my lovely little human beings who wake up ready to conquer the world, I NEED breakfast to be quick and easy but also nourishing. I don’t know what I would do without make-ahead breakfasts.

Oh I know! Cereal or yogurt, which I don’t mind eating every day, but my kids? Not so much. They may be little but they sure have big opinions about…everything.

We absolutely adore this banana overnight oats and and overnight quinoa oats because I can quickly make them after putting the kids down for the night, and breakfast will be ready when we are!

And because many of you have been asking for a steel-cut oats version, here it is! The process is a bit more involved because you do have to cook it slightly.

The result is soft and creamy oats that you would expect from rolled oats but with a bit more chew and nutty flavor.

It will be a great texture exposure for your baby and toddler, especially!

And if you’d like to experiment with different cooking methods, here’s how to cook steel cut oats on the stove, or in the Instant Pot or the slow cooker.

Related: Easy Oatmeal Recipes for Babies and Kids

Steel-cut Oats Vs. Rolled oats?

While you may have heard that steel cut oats are better for you, the truth is ALL types of oats are healthy with very similar nutritional profiles. They all start out as whole oat groats, which are the entire kernel of the oat grain.

Ingredients

• Regular steel-cut oats (Irish oats) – You will most likely find them in the cereal aisle or bulk section. I find that the latter option is cheaper.
• Water and milk – Adjust the ratio to your liking. I personally like 3 cups of water to 1 cup of milk. I recommend whole milk for babies and toddlers. If there is an allergy, use any non-dairy milk of choice, such as almond milk or coconut milk. You can also use all water. The result won’t be as creamy though.
• Chia seeds – helps thicken the mixture upon refrigeration while adding healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
• Salt – a pinch is all you need to really bring the oat flavor to life.
• Toppings – see below for all the ideas!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour water and milk to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Add oats and salt and stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
3. Turn off the heat and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Stir in the chia seeds and either close the lid and refrigerate the entire pot or transfer the oatmeal into a large airtight container and place in the fridge.
4. Allow the oats to sit for at least 8 hours. Enjoy cold or reheat with a splash of milk. And don’t forget the toppings!

Favorite Toppings

Simply by changing up the toppings, you can make every morning a fun and unique experience!

It works really well for my kids who don’t like to eat the same breakfast more than two days in a row. This and chia puddings.

Sweet Overnight Oats

• Favorite fruits (mashed or pureed) – like banana, mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, and unsweetened applesauce.
• Peanut butter or any nut or seed butter – for babies, be sure to combine with yogurt as globs of peanut/nut butter are a choking hazard.
• Seeds – like hemp seeds and flax seeds
• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Flavored yogurt – try this 3 ingredient vanilla yogurt, strawberry yogurt, or mango yogurt
• Granola
• Jam – add any of your favorite. If looking for an easy homemade option, try this sugar free strawberry jam or mango jam.
• Mashed sweet potatoes or butternnut squash
• Drizzle of honey or maple syrup – for added sweetness. Y
• Date syrup – a great no added sugar alternative
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Chocolate chips

Savory Overnight Steel Cut Oats

• Grated vegetables like carrots and zucchini
• Avocado
• Cheese – here are the best cheese for babies and toddlers
• Eggs
• Fresh herbs
• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded chicken, salmon, sardines, beef
• Crumbled tofu
• Mashed beans
• Pesto
• A drizzle of sesame oil

Tips for Success

• While you may come across recipes that tell you to cover the pot and let it sit overnight, I don’t recommend this from a food safety standpoint. It’s better to be safe than sorry especially when serving to your little one.
• After soaking the steel-cut oats for at least 8 hours, you can portion into single servings (these small jars are great along with these reusable lids) for an easy grab-n-go breakfast or snack.
• When my kids are sick, I like to serve this like a porridge. I simply warm up a bowl and add some chopped vegetables and protein.

Storage

Store any leftovers in airtight containers or mason jars. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will continue to soften.

To freeze, divide into single-serving portions and store in freezer safe bags (lay flat) or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!