These Chocolate Steel Cut Oats are delicious and healthy. Plus, they make your kitchen smell like freshly baked brownies first thing in the morning!
One of the only things my husband and I disagree on is the importance of breakfast. He’s a wake-up-and-get-stuff-done kind of guy. I’m a wake-up-and-eat-breakfast kind of girl. These easy Chocolate Steel Cut Oats are a perfect compromise for us.
Hands Off Cooking
Whether you have an Instant Pot or a slow-cooker, these Chocolate Steel Cut Oats come together in minutes. While they cook, you can use that time to get stuff done. At least until the timer goes off and it’s breakfast time.
Using the Instant Pot is an easy way to cook steel cut oats quickly. Cooking them on the stove takes at least 30 minutes and you have to babysit the pot to make sure it doesn’t boil over. With the Instant Pot, you add all the ingredients, set the timer, and walk away.
Using the slow cooker is nearly the same, except you will need to start your Chocolate Steel Cut Oats the night before. I’m not very good at planning that far ahead so I prefer the Instant Pot. I’ve included slow cooker instructions in case you don’t have one.
Delicious & Healthy Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
Oatmeal is an excellent breakfast option. Steel cut oats are even less processed than old-fashioned rolled oats. They take longer to digest so they keep you fuller for longer. Plus they contain lots of nutrients like fiber, iron, and B-vitamins which give you the energy to keep going all day.
Adding Dutch-processed cocoa powder adds a rich, chocolate taste that makes any weekday breakfast feel special. Real maple syrup adds light sweetness without the need for artificial sweeteners. If you prefer your oatmeal more or less sweet, adjust this amount to suit your preferences.
Choosing Your Toppings
My favorite toppings for this oatmeal change every time I make it. I love that I can switch up the taste just enough that I never get bored of eating the same thing over and over. Some of my favorite combinations are mini chocolate chips, sliced almonds, and whipped cream; or fresh raspberries and coconut flakes.
To reheat any leftover Chocolate Steel Cut Oats you may have, simply heat them up in the microwave and then add a bit of milk to make them creamy again. The texture of steel-cut oats stays chewy and delightful when leftover so you won’t ever be left with a sad, soggy bowl of mush.
Now that I’ve got you excited about breakfast, tell me what your favorite toppings are in the comments!
Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
These Chocolate Steel Cut Oats are delicious and healthy, and make your kitchen smell like freshly baked brownies first thing in the morning!
Ingredients
- 2 C (16 oz) milk (dairy, almond, oat, etc.)
- 3 C (24 oz) water
- 2 C (16 oz) steel cut oats
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ C (6 oz) real maple syrup
- ¼ C (1 oz) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Lightly spray steel pot with cooking spray.
- Add milk, water, oats, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Cook on manual mode on high pressure for 8 minutes. (Select manual, set timer to 8 minutes. Instant Pot will start automatically.)
- Let the pressure natural release for 15 minutes to avoid spraying oats through the valve. Manual release then add real maple syrup, Dutch-process cocoa, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Lightly spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Add milk, water (see note), oats, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Add real maple syrup, Dutch-process cocoa, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
Notes
- For slow cooker add 1 C additional water.
- Serve with extra milk if desired, mini chocolate chips, raspberries, strawberries, coconut flakes, whipped cream, craisins, sliced almonds, a spoonful of peanut butter, or any other topping you like!
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This recipe looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it! ?
We made a half batch of these and I forgot to spray my instant pot. It ended up not sticking too badly though. We topped ours with chopped fresh strawberries, chocolate chips, whipped cream and coconut and it was like a chocolate dipped strawberry!
Sounds delicious, Emily! I always forget to spray my Instant Pot before I make these. If they stick, just soak the pot with some hot water and lots of dish soap. It wipes clean super easy!