For as long as I can remember, my dad has eaten oatmeal for breakfast every single morning.  Some of my most poignant memories are waking to the smells wafting up from the kitchen.  I’m not sure exactly, but I think I was about 14 years old (the current age of my oldest daughter, which makes me feel old) when I began recognizing the scents enough to identify his flavors before even getting out of bed.  I remember him buying instant oatmeal packets only one time, vowing to never purchase them again after tasting it.  “Why would I buy this, when I can make it healthier and taste so much richer, for less?!”  I couldn’t agree more.

My own home is mostly void of early morning oatmeal smells.  Well, it was void.  With the introduction of the Instant Pot, my morning are being filled more and more with delicious aromas that I one day hope my kids will remember with fondness.  Seeing as it took me fourteen years (if memory serves me) to identify flavor scents, my dreams may be in vain, seeing as my baby is now eight.  However, I do believe I have some pretty amazing recipes that both smell and taste fantastic, so I may just get my wish after all.

BASIC INSTANT POT OATMEAL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats
• 3 3/4 Cups Water

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour 2 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats into the bottom of your Instant Pot Stainless Steel bowl.

Pour 3 3/4 Cups water over the Old-Fashioned Oats.  Stir, making sure to incorporate all of the oats into the water.

Replace your Instant Pot lid, making sure to set your pressure release valve to Sealing.  Use the Multigrain setting, adjusting the timer with your +/- buttons to three minutes.

Helpful Tip:  Once you start to hear pressure building, like the steam is trying to escape, place both hands on either side of the lid and quickly press downward.  Don’t allow your hands to linger, since it may be pretty hot by this point, but the quick downward motion of the lid will help it seal faster.

As soon as the Instant Pot pressure cooker (some even cook rice) is complete, switch your pressure release valve to Venting for a Quick Release.  Make sure to always shield your skin from the escaping high pressure steam!  To protect your upper cabinets from the steam, position the pressure release valve as the steam escapes away from the wood.

Helpful Hint:  Unplug your Instant Pot for a faster Quick Release.

Recipe yields: 4- 1/2 cup servings of tender, creamy oatmeal.

 STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM OATMEAL RECIPES

I alternate between two of our favorite recipes when we are in the mood for strawberries.  One uses Greek Yogurt for the “cream,” the other uses powdered sugar and coffee creamer.  One uses strawberry preserves for the predominant flavor, while the other uses a homemade compote.  We’re split down the middle as to which is better.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Strawberry Preserves
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• Fresh Strawberries (optional)

INGREDIENTS

Strawberry Compote

• 1¾ cups Fresh Strawberries, de-stemmed and cut in half.
• 2 Tbsp. Orange Juice
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1½ Tbsp. Honey
• pinch of Salt

Vanilla Cream Drizzle

• ½ Tbsp. Vanilla Coffee Creamer
• ¼ cup Powdered Sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. While your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal is cooking,  combine the Strawberries, Orange Juice, Vanilla Extract, Honey, and Salt in a medium- sized saucepan. Bring to a soft boil over medium heat, cooking for 12-15 minutes, or until berries have softened into a compote, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the Coffee Creamer and Powdered Sugar.
3. Serve the Strawberry Compote over hot oatmeal, drizzled with the Vanilla sugar-cream mixture.

TRIPLE BERRY OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (add more for a sweeter oatmeal)
• pinch of salt
• Toppings: Vanilla or Greek yogurt, crushed hazelnuts, sliced banana, additional berries

INSTRUCTIONS

1. While you cooke your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal, combine Berries, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, Maple Syrup, and Salt in a medium saucepan over medium high heat.
2. When the mixture starts to bubble, crush the berries with the back of the spoon and turn the heat to medium low and cover. Cook for 3-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour oatmeal in a bowl, and top with Vanilla or Greek Yogurt, Nuts, and additional Berries, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

LEMON BLUEBERRY OATMEAL

We love this tangy twist to normal Blueberry Oatmeal.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Zest (about 1 lemon)
• 1 cup Fresh Blueberries
• Honey or Agave to taste

*Helpful hint:  If you do not own a zester, you can grate the peel of the lemon with the smallest grater you own.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. When cooking your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe, add 1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Zest to the water and oats.
2. Divide Lemon flavored oatmeal into four equal servings, topping with Fresh Blueberries and Honey or Agave, to taste.

BANANA OATMEAL RECIPES

We are a banana loving family!  Especially when we can make our favorite Cream Cheese Banana Bread.  So, it’s not hard to believe that we have three different Banana Oatmeal recipes.  They’re all our favorite!

BANANA SPLIT OATMEAL

This recipe is perfect for any day, but especially for a Birthday!  Any time you add sprinkles, it’s a party!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 Banana, sliced
• 2 Tbsp. Chopped Walnuts
• 1 Tbsp. mini Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate
• Rainbow sprinkles, for fun, that’s why 
• 1 Maraschino Cherry

INSTRUCTIONS

Make your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal.  When cooked, divide evenly into four bowls.  Top with all ingredients, and serve warm.

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large ripe Banana, mashed
• 2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 to 3 teaspoons Honey or Agave, optional
• Sliced Bananas, Chopped Peanuts, and Cinnamon, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal.  When cooked, stir in mashed Banana, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, and Salt. Stir in Honey or Agave, to taste, if desired. Top with sliced Bananas, Chopped Peanuts, and additional Cinnamon before serving.

Chunky Monkey Oatmeal

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ripe Banana, sliced
• 1 tsp. Chia Seeds
• 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
• 1 tsp. Honey or Agave
• 2 tsp. mini Chocolate Chips

INSTRUCTIONS

When cooking your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal, add in 1 teaspoon Chia Seeds.  When cooked, divide into four equal servings.  Stir 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter, 1 tsp. Honey or Agave into each bowl.  Top with Banana slices and 2 tsp. mini chocolate chips.

CINNAMON OATMEAL RECIPES

I’m not sure why, but sometimes Cinnamon feels like a “warmer” ingredient.  I find myself using these recipes when it is a bit colder outside, like the Cinnamon could warm me faster.  No matter the temperatures, these Cinnamon Oatmeal recipes are sensational!

CINNAMON ROLL OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon, divided
• 2 Tbsp. Milk
• 3 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar
• Raisins, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal.
2. While cooking, stir together Milk and Powdered Sugar in a small bowl until combined.  Set aside.
3. When oatmeal is cooked, divide into four equal servings.  Stir 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon into each bowl.

Top with Raisins (optional), remaining 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon, and drizzle with Icing.  Serve warm, and ENJOY!

 

STICKY BUN OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS

Cinnamon Compote

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup chopped Apples (approximately 1 small apple)
• 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. Ground Allspice
• Honey or Agave, to taste

Vanilla Cream Drizzle

• ½ Tbsp. Vanilla Coffee Creamer
• ¼ cup Powdered Sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

• While your Basic Instant Pot Oatmeal is cooking,  combine Water, Chopped Apples, Cinnamon, and Allspice in a medium- sized saucepan. Bring to a soft boil over medium heat, cooking for 12-15 minutes, or until apples have softened into a compote, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix together the Coffee Creamer and Powdered Sugar.
• Serve the Cinnamon Compote over hot oatmeal, drizzled with the Vanilla sugar-cream mixture.

OTHER BREAKFAST RECIPES

• 21-day fix Breakfast Ideas
• Instant Pot Boiled Eggs
• Rainbow Bagels
• Breakfast Pot Pies
• Frozen Yogurt Breakfast Fruit Bites

Do you have any childhood breakfast memories that you love?  Have an oatmeal recipe you love more than all others?  I hope one of these quickly becomes one, if not the best that you’ve had!

~Steph