Steel Cut Oats – 5 Different Ways

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Steel Cut Irish Oats – 5 Ways. A hearty breakfast that you can customize to make your own. Almond Joy, berries and cream, maple and pecan, English spring, and sugar and spice flavors.

steel cut oats 5 ways

For the last few months, I’ve really been upping my brunch game. I like to make one big brunch-y meal on Saturday and Sunday and take the rest of the day off. (Everybody needs to fend for themselves after that – I’m off duty.) I’ve been known to make the usual suspects – pancakes, waffles, muffins, quiche, frittata. All of these things are great, but every now and again, I like to switch it up.

A lot of times we also have some sort of sports to do to on a weekend, and I want the kids to have a little more substance in their tummies before I send them off to play. Better-for-them breakfast – not empty calories. Something with whole grains, protein, and if I’m really lucky – some fruit.

As much as I love to cook my family breakfast, a pattern that I’m seeing is that I’m slaving away in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying their hot meal. By the time I sit down to eat, everyone else is finished and wanting to go do something else. I’m sitting by myself and it feels a little lonely. I’ve been thinking about things that I can make that I can enjoy at the same time as everyone else. I got the idea for a steel cut oatmeal bar.

While the oatmeal is cooking, I can get everything else together. (The toppings are what sell this breakfast.) When it is time to eat breakfast, everyone can ladle themselves a bowl of hot oatmeal right from the stove and top it is however they like. Kids love anything interactive, so this is a winner breakfast.

I have recently discovered that I like steel cut oats. I like that it has some bite to it, and has more texture than regular oatmeal (I save that for making cookies.) It does take longer to cook, but it is worth the few extra minutes. The end result is a nutty, creamy, oatmeal that is a canvas to add anything you like to make it your own. I think that toasting the oats before you cook them takes them to a whole new level.

I shopped my fridge and pantry and came up with 5 different ways to dress up a hearty bowl of Irish steel cut oats. Even the simplest of ingredients can make something that is already good – incredible.

But first, we need to make some oatmeal.

steel cut oats 5 ways

You will need:

steel cut oats 5 ways

Heat butter over medium heat.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Add the oats and stir to coat the oats in butter.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Toast gently in the pan, this takes about 5 minutes.

steel cut oats 5 ways

While the oats are toasting, pour the milk, water, sugar, and salt into a large pot. A large pot helps the oats not get mushy.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat while you are toasting the oats.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Stir in the oats. Bring to a slow boil, then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the pot.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Stir occasionally to avoid the oats from getting clumpy and sticking to the pan.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the oats have thickened and have softened. It might be a little loose, and that’s okay, it will soak up liquid as it cools. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.

steel cut oats 5 ways

I came up with 5 simple toppings to add to the oatmeal. While the oats were cooking, I shopped my pantry and fridge. (I had roasted the rhubarb earlier in the day.)

steel cut oats 5 ways

First up – maple and pecan. Use the best quality syrup you can get your hands on. (Use the pure stuff, it is worth it.) Top with toasted pecans. Super easy.

steel cut oats 5 ways

I call this one English spring – It what I imagine the upstairs eating at Downton. Roasted rhubarb with vanilla bean, lemon curd, and a pouring of heavy cream.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Almond Joy – toasted coconut, toasted almond slices, and mini chocolate chips.

steel cut oats 5 ways

Berries and cream bowl. Freshly whipped and slightly sweetened cream, fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, and white chocolate chips.

steel cut oat 5 ways

Sugar and spice – brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and crystallized ginger. Sweet with lots of warming spices. (Not the prettiest, but probably my favorite.)

steel cut oats 5 ways

The possibilities for topping the oatmeal are essentially endless. I feel better sending my kids off for a busy sports day with a full tummy full of good things.

I’m also a sucker for good packaging, and I don’t think that it gets better than a can of McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal®, which also doubles as an adorable vase. (I made it waterproof by adding a mason jar of water to the inside of the can.)

Steel Cut Oats - 5 Ways

Big Batch Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal

bakedbree
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal®
  • 6 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk or your favorite non-dairy milk I like almond
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste or extract

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oats and coat with butter. Toss in the pan until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes.
  • While the oats are toasting, bring the water, milk, sugar, and salt to a simmer over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or saucepan
  • Add the oats and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, partially covering the pot.
  • Cook until thickened, about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The oats will still be a little loose, but will thicken as they stand.
  • Stir in the vanilla. Serve
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
steel cut oats 5 ways

Maple & Pecan Steel Cut Oats

bakedbree
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Course breakfast and brunch
Cuisine American
Calories 1535 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup prepared steel-cut oats

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the oats.
  • Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pecans out in single layer and toast until they are lightly toasted, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour syrup over oats and top with pecans.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1535kcalCarbohydrates: 177gProtein: 31gFat: 85gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 72gSodium: 19mgFiber: 26gSugar: 55g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
steel cut oats 5 ways

English Spring Steel Cut Oats

bakedbree
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course breakfast and brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 1139 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 stalks rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • vanilla bean
  • lemon curd homemade or store-bought
  • heavy cream
  • 1 cup prepared steel-cut oats

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Add rhubarb, sugar, and vanilla bean to a baking dish. Add the seeded pod also.
  • Cover pan with foil and roast for 15-20 minutes.
  • Ladle oats into bowl. Top with rhubarb, a spoonful of lemon curd, and pour cream over.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1139kcalCarbohydrates: 218gProtein: 24gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 27mgFiber: 20gSugar: 105g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Almond Joy Steel Cut Oats

bakedbree
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course breakfast and brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 1119 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup prepared steel-cut oats
  • 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Add coconut and almond in a single layer to a sheet pan. Toast until lightly brown on the edges, about 5 minutes.
  • Top bowls of oats with toasted coconut, toasted almonds, and mini chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1119kcalCarbohydrates: 154gProtein: 31gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 28gSodium: 247mgFiber: 25gSugar: 35g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
steel cut oats 5 ways

Berries & Cream Steel Cut Oats

bakedbree
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course breakfast and brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 999 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Whipped Cream
  • fresh berries
  • white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup prepared steel-cut oats

Instructions
 

  • Ladle oats into a bowl. Top with a spoonful of whipped cream, berries, and white chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 999kcalCarbohydrates: 149gProtein: 26gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 57mgFiber: 22gSugar: 36g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
steel cut oat 5 ways

Sugar & Spice Steel Cut Oats

bakedbree
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course breakfast and brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 963 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 cup prepared steel-cut oats

Instructions
 

  • Mix together brown sugar, spices, and ginger in a small bowl.
  • Ladle oats into a bowl and top with2 Tablespoons of the sugar and spice mixture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 963kcalCarbohydrates: 200gProtein: 21gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 36mgFiber: 18gSugar: 90g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This post was sponsored by McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal®. I carefully select brands that I feel reflect the values and goals of this site. You can read more about the company and their best practices here. All opinions are 100% my own.

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