Learn how to make the 2 Ingredient No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats for straightforward breakfasts all week long! Made with nondairy milk, steel cut oats, and any and all optional toppings or stir-ins of you choice, this yummy recipe is vegan, packed with fiber, and all around wonderful.
As if I needed another reason to love steel cut oats, now I can make them without cooking at all.
What Are Steel Cut Oats?
Steel cut oats–also called Scotch oats, Irish oats or Pinhead oats–are the whole oat grain, or groat, that is has been cut into thirds (with, you guessed it, a steel blade) and left intact. Rolled oats are also whole, but have been steamed and flattened. This allaows for a much faster cooking time.
Although both rolled oats and steel cut oats are equal in nutrition, porridge made from steel cut oats has a particularly toothsome, hearty texture.
It’s mighty fine eating, especially (1) when drizzled with maple syrup and scattered with berries, and (2) it’s freezing cold outside.
The one downside? It takes about 30 minutes to cook a batch of steel cut oat porridge.
EnterNo Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats.
Recipe Benefits
- Made with 2 ingredients
- Endlessly customizable with different stir-ins and toppings
- Make ahead (reliable for busy mornings)
- No cooking required
- Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
- Gluten-free (be sure to use certified GF oats, as needed)
- High in fiber
Ingredients
The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.Toggle betweenUS Customary(volume) andMetric(weights) for preferred measurement option.
- Steel Cut Oats
- Nondairy milk of choice (e.g., oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk)
- Optional stir-ins or toppings (see list below, as well as in the recipe card notes)
Step by Step Instructions
Note that the complete instructions are also in the recipe card below.
- In a covered container, jar, or thermos, combine the milk and steel cut oats. Add any stir-in options, such as dried fruit, chia seeds or protein powder, as well.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight for at least 12 hours or for up to 5 days.
- When ready to serve, stir the oats well. Serve cold, topped with any of the suggested toppings, as desired.
Ideas for Toppings and Stir-Ins
- Vegan protein powder
- Chopped dried fruit (e.g., apricots, cherries, cranberries, raisins)
- Chopped fresh fruit or berries (e.g., bananas, apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches)
- Vanilla extract or almond extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- Additional milk (e.g., oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk)
- Nuts or seeds (e.g., chia seeds, pecans, sunflower seed kernels, walnuts, almonds, hemp hearts)
- Flake or shredded coconut
- Nut butter or seed butter (e.g., peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter)
- Sweetener of choice (e.g., maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey, Turbinado sugar)
- non-dairy yogurt
What Is the Texture of No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats ?
The texture of these oats is markedly different fromcookedsteel cut oats. It is a great variation, somewhat akin to Grape Nuts cereal. Rather than creamy, the oats are toothsome and chewy. They are very:
- satisfying
- filling (as in, you will not be hungry until, oh, 2 p.m.)
- empowering (e.g., 10 mile run? No problem!)
- ideal for hot weather (no cooking!)
- portable
- straightforward
- fast
- scrumptious
- versatile
I like adding some vanilla protein powder and a pinch of salt, then topping with fruits and seeds in the a.m.
FAQ
- How long can I store the steel cut oats?Store the overnight no cook steel cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- How can I make the these overnight oats thicker?Adding a tablespoon (or more) of chia seeds or flaxseed meal at the time of mixing will thicken the oats.
- How can I make the oats absorb liquid more quickly (to become softer after first soak)?You can heat the milk until very hot, but not boiling, before adding it to the jar or container to soak.
Portion the Oats into Jars
At the time of mixing, or after the steel cut oats have had their initial soak, you can portion each serving into a jar, layering it with any extras. The jars are great for grab and go breakfasts (or snacks, if you are a cereal-anytime kind of person).
I am loving these oats–I hope you will, too!
No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Servings: 4 portions
Ingredients
- 2 cups nondairy milk (e.g., oat milk, soy milk, almond milk)
- 1 cup steel cut oats (certified gluten-free, as needed)
- Optional add-ins/stir-ins (see suggestions in notes)
Method
- In a covered container, jar, or thermos, combine the milk and steel cut oats . Add any stir-in options, such as dried fruit, chia seeds or protein powder, as well.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight for at least 12 hours or for up to 5 days.
- When ready to serve, stir the oats well. Serve cold, topped with any of the suggested toppings, as desired.
Notes
Storage: The overnight steel cut oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The texture after one night is relatively chewy. I love the texture, but if you prefer softer oats, wait another day or up to five days. Adding More Liquid : There will be more liquid after just one night of soaking, less liquid after day two (and beyond) because the oats will continue to absorb liquid. Add more milk, as desired. Milk Note: I used unsweetened almond milk to make my nutrition calculations; nutrition information is for the oats and milk only, not any of the optional add-ins. Gluten-Free Tip: Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you wish this to be gluten-free. Optional Toppings and Stir-Ins Ideas vegan protein powder chopped dried fruit (e.g., apricots, cherries, cranberries, raisins) chopped fresh fruit or berries (e.g., bananas, apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches) vanilla extract or almond extract pinch of fine sea salt Additional milk (e.g., oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk) Nuts or seeds Flake or shredded coconut Nut butter or seed butter (e.g., peanut butter, almond butter , sunflower seed butter ) sweetener of choice (e.g., maple syrup , coconut sugar , honey, Turbinado sugar) non-dairy yogurt
