Overnight Steel Cut Oats
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The best method for making overnight steel cut oats that actually get soft and creamy. They’re such an easy, healthy breakfast to prep and delicious served with fresh fruit as a topping.
I’m a big fan of overnight oats, but for the longest time I couldn’t figure out how to make them work with steel cut oats. Every batch I tested either turned out too hard or just plain unappetizing.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally landed on a method that actually works. The trick is giving the oats a quick one-minute simmer before letting them soak overnight. That short cook softens the oats just enough so they turn creamy and perfectly chewy by morning.
If you love overnight oats but want to switch things up, this version is such a great option. They’re simple to make, perfect for meal prep and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Table of Contents
“Thanks for the fantastic recipe!”
Why I Love These Overnight Steel Cut Oats
If you’ve tried making overnight oats with steel cut oats before, you probably know they don’t soften the same way rolled oats do. This method solves that problem and gives you creamy oats every time.
- Actually soft steel cut oats: The quick one-minute simmer helps the oats soften overnight so they’re creamy instead of hard.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch at night and breakfast is ready in the morning.
- Simple 3-ingredient base: Just oats, water and salt. Add whatever toppings you like.
- Great for busy mornings: Once the oats soak overnight, breakfast takes just seconds to assemble.
Ingredients Needed
- steel cut oats – make sure you grab gluten-free steel cut oats if needed. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill steel cut oats. I used regular steel cut oats, and I haven’t tested the recipe with quick cooking overnight oats but it should work just fine.
- water – I prefer using filtered water for this recipe but you can use milk if you want the end result to be super creamy.
- sea salt – trust me on this one. The salt brings out the flavor of the oats (and other mix-ins!).
How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Step 1: Add steel cut oats, water and salt to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat and let the oats cool.
Step 2: Transfer the oats to a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning divide the oats into bowls or jars and add your favorite toppings.
Brittany’s Tips
- Don’t skip the quick simmer: Steel cut oats need a short cook so they soften properly overnight. Without this step they tend to stay too firm.
- Let the oats cool before refrigerating: This helps prevent condensation and keeps the oats from getting watery.
- Adjust the texture in the morning: If the oats thicken too much overnight, just stir in a splash of milk before serving.
How to Serve
Once the oats have soaked overnight, the fun part is adding toppings. You can keep things simple or get creative depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Some of my favorite topping combinations:
- Banana + almond butter + cinnamon
- Fresh berries + chia seeds + maple syrup
- Apple slices + walnuts + cinnamon
- Blueberries + hemp seeds + peanut butter
These oats are filling on their own, but I almost always enjoy them with a cup of coffee in the morning. My iced pumpkin spice latte or protein coffee are both great options if you want to make it a more satisfying breakfast.
How to Store
Store overnight steel cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The oats will continue to soften the longer they sit, so I find the texture is best during the first few days. This makes them perfect for meal prep at the start of the week. I like prepping them in wide mouth 16 oz mason jars.
Frequently Asked Questions
A short one-minute simmer helps the oats soften so they turn creamy instead of staying hard.
Yes. Using milk will make the oats extra creamy and add a little extra protein.
Yes! They’re delicious straight from the fridge, but you can also warm them up in the microwave if you prefer.
More Steel Cut Oats Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Creamy Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- 2 cups water
- pinch of sea salt
- toppings of choice – cinnamon, banana, berries, hemp seeds, chia seeds, maple syrup, etc.
Instructions
- Place oats, water and salt into a saucepan and bring to a boil, watching carefully so the water doesn’t boil over. Turn down heat quickly and allow the oats to simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool.½ cup steel cut oats, 2 cups water, pinch of sea salt
- Transfer to a container with a lid, cover and place in the fridge overnight.
- The next morning, portion the oatmeal into jars. The recipe should make 2 servings.
- Add toppings of choice and enjoy cold. I love banana slices, berries, chopped nuts, chia seeds and nut butter for toppings.
Notes
- Storage: Store overnight steel cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Serving tip: If the oats thicken too much overnight, stir in a splash of milk before serving to loosen the texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Unfortunately didn’t work for me. I woke up to steel cut oats soup! I made the recipe as written. Would likely half the amount of liquid next time and maybe try again
Oh no – I am so sorry to hear this didn’t turn out for you. What brand of oats did you use?
You might want to remove the part about using gluten free oats. All oats are gluten free. 🙂
That is true but most people who are celiac need to purchase certified gluten-free oats because there is a lot of cross contamination with oats.
I tried this recipe as written and it’s really watery before going in the fridge. Should I dump out extra water or will that get absorbed overnight?
Thanks!
Hi Christina! The oats will absorb the liquid and you’ll be left with a delicious breakfast! Enjoy and let me know how it turns out for you!
The oats ended up too watery for my liking. Next time I’d try 1-1.5 cups water. I’d like to try oat milk too!
Thanks
Thank you for your recipe. I made using 3 cups water, one cup oat milk and one cup steel cut oats. Once cooled I added ground flaxseed, slivered almonds and raisins for the overnight soak (was currently out of chia seeds). The consistency was creamy despite my concern on being watery, hence using one cup of oat milk rather than 4 cups water. I find the overnight soak with raisins adds sweetness, thereby omitting any sweetener as some recipes do . I will make again!
YUM! I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe and it turned out great for you. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I was excited to try this recipe, but my oats were very watery the next day. What did I do wrong?
Hi Susan – Did you change anything about the recipe?
Hi! If i want to use milk instead of water is it the same process?
Hi Mariana – Yes, that should work just fine. Enjoy!
I love this! I read another recipe where they do almost the exact same thing, except they leave theirs covered on the stove overnight!!! As someone who has gone through food safety courses and worked in a kitchen, I can say that is NOT safe and promotes bacteria growth.
This, however is wonderful. Perfect texture the next day with minimal work, and you get the extra advantage of the enhanced resistant starch from refrigerating.
I am so happy that you are enjoying this recipe, Chantal. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Can I heat the oats in the morning? I’ve just started eating oats and really new to it!
Hi, Barbara. Overnight oats are intended to be eaten cold. I do have a regular Creamy Steel Cut Oats recipe that is intended to be eaten warm!
This is so good! I put bananas and a little nut butter on top. How much chia seeds do you put on?
Hi, Anna Marie. You can sprinkle whatever you’d like! I probably used about 1/2 teaspoon to a full teaspoon. I’m glad you’re loving the recipe, thank you!
Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
I’m so glad this recipe worked out for you, Zay! Thanks for coming back to leave a review and star rating, it means the world to me.
Loved how soft the steel cut oats became. I just mixed mine with flavoured yogurt this morning and had to fight my cat off, she also wanted her share!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Blythe! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!