Easy Overnight Steel-Cut Oats

These Easy Overnight Steel-Cut Oats are a two-ingredient, make-ahead breakfast that will keep you full until lunch! Healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free, too!

On busy weekday mornings, there’s no denying that the best breakfasts are the ones that are happily waiting for you when you wake up. For me, that’s muffins or a slice of banana bread I baked over the weekend, a smoothie I prepped the night before, or my favorite—overnight oats.

While typical overnight oatmeal recipes rely on quick-cooking oats that you soak in milk overnight, this recipe is so much better, mainly because hearty steel-cut oats (which require a much longer cooking time) are the star of the show!

YEP. You can make overnight oatmeal with steel-cut oats. Mind blown.

If your brain instantly thought of standing in front of the stove, stirring for 20 to 30 minutes first thing in the morning, think again! These oats boil for just a minute, then the refrigerator does the rest overnight. That way, you can wake up to the perfect bowl of ready-to-eat steel-cut oats. Thanks to last night’s prep, your morning just got deliciously easy!

Are Overnight Steel-Cut Oats Healthy?

Steel-cut oats are a great, healthy choice to start your day with! They’re also healthier than quick-cooking oats because they’re less processed and have more fiber, which helps you feel full between meals.  

With very few ingredients, this recipe is a great starting point to make these oats even healthier. You could add a source of protein, like Greek yogurt, nut butter, or protein powder. For sweetness, you can add a touch of honey, maple syrup, or vanilla extract.

You can also experiment with fresh toppings like fruit, berries, or mixed nuts, which will provide extra nutrients to the bowl.

Are steel-cut oats different from quick-Cooking oats?

The difference between steel-cut oats and quick-cooking oats comes down to how they’re processed.

Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats cut into chunks, making them heartier, chewier, and less processed. Quick-cooking oats, on the other hand, are rolled thinner and partially cooked, so they take less time to make and have a softer texture.

As for taste, steel-cut oats have a nuttier, more textured bite, while quick-cooking oats are smoother and milder. Health-wise, they’re pretty similar in nutrition, though steel-cut oats may have a slight edge in fiber content and a lower glycemic index, meaning they’re digested more slowly.

So, if you like a chewy, more filling oatmeal, steel-cut oats might be your jam!

Serving Suggestions

This is the perfect base recipe to customize and make your own!

My favorite way to eat my oats is with Stewed Apples and a GENEROUS dollop of Almond Butter or Cashew Butter. Especially on a cold winter morning, these oats with Cinnamon Apples and a drizzle of Pecan Butter is just SO GOOD.

For a more indulgent bowl of oats, this Whipped Homemade Almond Butter is a twist on the classic almond butter and is loaded with chocolate, coconut, and protein powder. Utter perfection!

Recipe