3 Make Ahead Oatmeal Options

Photo by Khloe Arledge on Unsplash

Oatmeal is a common breakfast item, and easy to prepare. The less processed the oats are, the better they are for you. The progression from most processed to least processed is:

• Instant Oatmeal

• Quick Oats

• Rolled Oats

• Steel Cut Oats (Irish Oatmeal)

Stick with  rolled oats or preferably steel cut oats on a Daniel Fast. You can even purchase steel cut oats at some fast food restaurants and popular coffee chains. Below are several cooking methods, including make ahead options, along with topping variations.

Steel Cut Oats: Stovetop Prep

Serves 2

1/2 cup steel cut oats
1 1/2 cups water

1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan

2. Stir in 1/2 cup of steel cut oats

3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly until liquid is absorbed and oatmeal thickens

4. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 5 minutes

Steel Cut Oats: Slow Cooker Prep

Serves 4

Coconut oil
3 1/2 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats

1. Lightly spray or wipe slow cooker with coconut oil

2. Combine water and steel cut oats in slow cooker 

3. Cover and cook on low or warm setting for 6-7  hours

4. Remove lid and stir to combine ingredients that may have separated while cooking. Portion into bowls and add any desired toppings.

Notes: 

• Overnight slow cooker oatmeal doesn’t work well with quick-cooking or rolled oats, they will become too mushy

Steel Cut Oats: Instant Pot Prep

Serves 4

Coconut oil
4 cups water or nondairy milk substitute
1 cup steel cut oats

1. Lightly spray or coat Instant Pot liner with coconut oil

2. Combine water or nondairy milk and steel cut oats in Instant Pot and stir

3. Close lid securely and set Pressure Release valve to Sealing. Select high pressure cook setting and set timer for 12 minutes.

4. When cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 20 minutes then move Pressure Release valve to Venting to release all remaining steam.

5. Remove lid, stir to combine, portion into bowls and add any 

Notes for Oatmeal Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Prep:

• Toppings can be added at step 2 or after cooking

• Gluten-free oats can be used

• If there is extra water after cooking, stir and allow to stand for several minutes to reabsorb water before serving.

• If oatmeal is too thick, hot water can be added.

• Oats can be stored for one week or frozen for up to two months.

Oatmeal Topping Options

Apple Walnut

1 medium apple, cored and diced
1/2 cup unsweetened natural applesauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 TBS walnuts

Banana Nut

1 small-medium sliced banana 
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 TBS walnuts

Promised Land Blend

1 TBS chopped dates
1 TBS chopped figs
1 TBS raisins
1 TBS ground flax seeds
1/4 cup unsalted almonds

Berry Blend

1/4 cup blueberries 
1/4 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup unsalted almonds
1 TBS golden raisins