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Learn how to make the 2 Ingredient No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats for easy 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.
Enter No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats.
Recipe Benefits
- Made with 2 ingredients
- Endlessly customizable with different stir-ins and toppings
- Make ahead (perfect 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 between US Customary (volume) and Metric (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 directions 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 from cooked steel 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
- easy
- 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!
Related Recipes
No Cook Overnight Steel Cut Oats
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)
Instructions
- 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
- 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
I’m dating myself when I say that eating these reminds me of Grape-Nuts cereal (I do not know if they make them anymore). I really liked that cereal, you only needed a small amount that you let sit in the milk for a few minutes to soften before eating. Soaking these softens the oats, but they stay firm so that you really have to chew. I am trying to slow down and take my time to eat, and really chew my food. I have to, with these! I’m not a fan of squishy porridge, so this version of soaked oats suits me. I like that it is ready and waiting in the morning so I don’t have to think too much about what to add other than some fresh or dried fruit on top.
I tried this following recipe and the oats were same size in morning with lots of milk on top. Didn’t seem to change-looked the same as night before. I ended up microwaving for a bit until fluffed up and will eat tomorrow.
Hi Carolyn,
The oats will have absorbed some milk, but not a lot (not like cooked oats). The main test is for tenderness. They should be chewy. They are toothsome after hte first night–I mention that they are similar to Grape-nuts in that respect. They will continue to absorb the mik (you cna keep them for up to 5 days). Cheers.
Thanks for info on Steelcase oats..uncooked, soaking and with fruit. I’m going to have for breakfast tomorrow. Thanks again, God bless.
You are welcome, Michelle!
This is amazing! I made with True Elements Steel Cut Oats. Thanks for writing this blog.
You are so welcome, Sakshi!
Are steel cut oats safe to eat raw?
Hi LC,
Yes, they are safe to eat raw, but is best to soak them. I would not recommend eating them dry (it could crack your teeth, too!)
Hi Camilla,
I tried your recipe last night and was wondering if I am doing something wrong. I used the one cup of steel cut oats and 2 cups water (since my husband did not want it with milk), added the salt, and teaspoon of salt. I didn’t use any of the other ingredients.. Then I mixed all the fore mentioned ingredients together and put it in the fridge and after 15 hours, there is a half inch of water on top of the oats. Checked again after several more hours and it still has the half inch layer of water sitting on top and the oats were not softened at all. Maybe because it wasn’t absorbing all the water? Is there something I’m doing wrong? I thought the steel cut oats were not supposed to be boiled beforehand, as it’s a no cook overnight recipe. Please give me your thoughts on what i may have done wrong in preparing your recipe. I used regular steel cut oats (Red Mill brand), not instant. Thank you so much!
Hi Dawn,
That sounds right, you ae doing everything correctly! Just be sure to give the oats a good stir before serving (if using all water, stir more vigorously so that the water mix is more creamy, essentially oat milk). The part that does sound odd is that you note that the oats are not softened at all. They should definitely be softened after one night and will continue to soften up the longer they sit. It is not the same texture as cooked oats; as I mention in the post, the texture is chewy and toothsome, similar to grape nuts cereal. I hope that that helps!
I just had the steel cut oatmeal prepared this way for the first time. Wow, what an amazing and simple concept. There really is no need to cook or heat the oatmeal. It was delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.
My brother had got me some steel oats instead of regular. I don’t like the time it takes to cook steel so I looked up overnight steel oats and found this recipe.
I am excited to try it! I very tried cooked grape nuts and they are slightly soft which I’m thinking that is how this will taste.
I’m sorry someone had to be so negative about the calories.
Thanks so much!?
Terri
I tried this last night. Steal oats, Cashew milk vanilla flavour 25 cal a cup, with dried Cranberries and sunflower seeds. Yes a little chewy, I microwaved for 1 minute, they were delicious. I like the texture.. Thank you for the great recipe .
You are so welcome, Billie–glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
I’ve always had these overnight and never thought about leaving them up to three days in fridge, but why not? Tried it and love it! They do get softer and it makes meal planning even easier; thanks for the tip!
You are so welcome, Jen! 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe! I used toasted coconut milk, raisins, cinnamon, a little maple syrup, a tad pink sea salt and Bobs Red Mill Steel Cut Oats. My husband loved this too and I love the puréed date idea in the milk. I’ll try that the next time.
My coworker has been telling me about no cook overnight steele cut oats. That’s all he eats for breakfast every morning at work. I tried my first batch this morning ( steele cut oats/soymilk/agave sweetner, added blueberries just before eating) Wow! I am sold.
Great!!!
Wow! Amazing! I just discovered steel cut oats. I tried making it in the microwave using the recipe on the package. What a mess. I made this 2 days ago. Yum! THANKS!!
Hi Camilla, I left my steel cut and rolled whole wheat outs overnight(7-8hours) but their texture is still a bit hard, is it supposed to be like that? But never the less it tasted good specially with the banana. Thank you!
Would adding some Greek yogurt before refrigerating work?
Absolutely 🙂
I hate to tell you, but your calorie count is WRONG. There is no way. 1/4 DRY steel cut oats.. across the board are 140-150 calories depending on the brand. It’s on the label. This calls for a full cup. 150×4 is 600 calories. Make this into two servings, not taking into account ANYTHING else you put into it (dried fruit and nuts are heavy in calories per ounce) it is 300 calories per serving… not 190. Very misleading and, frankly, uncool. 🙁
I am sorry that this upset you Mis, but I have to disagree: my calculations are correct. I used Bob’s Red Mill steel cut oats (170 calories per 1/4 cup dry) and , as specified in the notes for the recipe, I used unsweetened almond milk for the milk (40 calories per cup), which adds 20 calories to the 170 per serving, equaling 190, as printed.. All of the toppings and stir-ins are optional, and it is noted as such (as well as the fact that I did not include optional toppings in the calculations). All the best.
I mean, it does say 4 servings… If you eat all 4 at once you would be correct. Probably not recommended though.
Go watch food matters
Change your eating lifestyle and you won’t have to worry about calories
Americas “diet food” and “”diet ideas” are such a lie
Stop eating prossed food
Don’t consume artificial sweeteners
Switch to honey or maple syrup
Buy organic no gmo
Make at least 51% of your food raw being primary fruit and vegetables
Stop drinking pasterized milk ecspecially low fat milk which actually will make you fat
find a farmer and bring your own containers and buy raw milk
Cutt out wheat which is highly contaminated with glyphosate
And get some good quality probiotics
And you WONT have to “count” calories
It’s just so ridicules
People didn’t count their calories 200 years ago they just ate real food and were healthier than we are today
You should probably double or triple check your facts before writing such an unnecessarily rude comment… and if you’re not accustomed to reading and following a well written standard recipe maybe ask a friend or take a course before trying anything more advanced than boiling water. Lol …you have to agree that’s funny! You did blast a total stranger for no good reason. 😉
Loved this! I puréed a date with my almond milk in place of a sweetener it was perfect!
Yay!!!! 🙂 Love the idea of adding pureed dates 🙂
Or.. simply bring to a quick boil, remove from stove, or turn off stove, let sit to cool, then refrigerate overnight. Same creamy texture, no mess and no time/effort at all. You can make a larger batch, it keeps in the fridge for a few days. Tastes great cold.
I don’t do so well with unfermented milk products, so I have cooked steal cut oats in a pressure cooker with half water and half apple juice (prefer fresh). The result is quite amazing. When using this method just boil til the pressure cooker locks up, then turn off stove and let sit til it cools down and refrigerate. Tastes great with yogurt or kefir and some seeds (flax, pumpkin etc) and fruit. Might work just as well with method above without the pressure cooker, although I like the pressure cooker because nothing can boil over and create a mess.
Thanks so much for the great tips/options, DH!
Hi Camilla,
I’ve been eating these no-cook oats for the past week and they’re such a fun change of pace — instant while packed with nutrients. Who knew?! I eat mine with a lot of milk, raisins, walnuts, and some sort of sweetener every morning and I love it! Supercharged Cereal. This has got me thinking…what else can this be done with? I am a buckwheat fanatic; I grew up eating buckwheat porridge (“Grechka” in Russian) and it’s cooked just like oatmeal, though it could be toasted in a pan first. I love having it with milk and sugar. I am really curious as to whether this technique can be applied to buckwheat!
Thanks for posting <3
Wow, what a wonderful comment, Liz! Thank you so much for sharing, and I am so glad you are enjoying the variation for your oats!
Can this be warmed up in micro or on the stove before eating after it has been made for putting in the refrigerator?
Hi Sandy,
Yes, definitely! You can warm it a little or go ahead and cook it for 5 to 10 minutes (stovetop) to get a more traditional creamy steel cut oatmeal (the soaking shaves off a lot of cooking time). You may need to add a little bit more liquid (water is fine, or milk). 🙂
Why refrigerate? Completely unnecessary.
Hmm, I completely disagree; I don’t recommend leaving milk out for up to 3 days, even in a thermos.
I am also a fanatic of steel cut oats. I’ve tried the 30 min, the 3 min, and the microwave kinds. These may be my new favorite. I like them cold, but I also like heating them up in the microwave for about a minute.
-SM
sure, you could definitely heat them , too; it will only take a few minutes, as you noted, once they have had a long soak (as opposed to the typical 30 minute cook time) 🙂
I microwaved some overnight steel cut oats with some more non-fat milk for one minute, thirty seconds, covered. I let it set in the microwave for another minute or so. Then I mixed in a little more cold milk (I like my hot oatmeal a little runny). It was creamy, chewy, and delicious!
Great!
hi there!
these are very delicious, great for when we camp. We can keep them in a thermos in the cooler. My wife and I add nuts and dried fruit sometimes chocolate chis for lots of calories for hiking. Thanks for this
So glad you like the recipe, Danny