Why Irish oatmeal? Because it has bite. It is nutty and really, really good for me. You make the oatmeal, then have fun dressing it any way that you would like.
I am not so good with New Year’s resolutions, but I do try. This year I want to eat more fruit and vegetables, and to eat breakfast. I really do not like eating breakfast. I am not a morning person, I do not like eating when I wake up, and I am usually in a rush. For years, I ate the same exact breakfast if I was in fact going to eat breakfast. A whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter. A girl gets bored. Have I mentioned that I am somewhat of a picky eater? I know that it is hard to imagine doing what I do, but I have a serious texture issue. I like to chew my food. I really wish that I could get over it, I would love to be able to eat yogurt, I think that it would end my breakfast issues. But for now, I am eating Irish oatmeal.
Why Irish oatmeal? Because it has bite. It is nutty and really, really good for me. The thing about steel-cut oats (the other name for Irish oatmeal) is that it takes a really long time to cook. But if you start it the night before, it is no big deal, it takes minutes. This is a method. You make the oatmeal, but you can dress it any way that you would like. This apple and pecan combination is great, but so is dried fruit, maple syrup, walnuts, and coconut, the possibilities are endless.
Ingredients //
- 1 cup Irish Oatmeal
- 4 cups water
- pinch salt
add in:
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 diced apple
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- almond milk (if you need to thin the oatmeal a bit)
How To Make // The Steps
This is what Irish oatmeal looks like. It is not at all like the regular oatmeal that you are used to.
Step 1: Pour 1 cup of oatmeal into 4 cups of boiling water. Add a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Let the oatmeal simmer for 1 minute.
Step 3: Cover the pot and refrigerate overnight.
Step 4: The next morning, put the pot on the stove and cook over LOW heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the oatmeal is hot.
Step 5: Add whatever you like to your oatmeal.
Variations //
While I have already included various ingredients that can be added to the oatmeal, here are some themed ways to serve this morning treat:
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add chopped apples and cinnamon before refrigerating. In the morning, top with additional apple slices, nuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Banana Nut Oatmeal: Mash a ripe (i.e., close to brown) banana into the oatmeal mixture and add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. In the morning, top with fresh banana slices, a dollop of yogurt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Blueberry Almond Oatmeal: Add fresh or frozen blueberries and chopped almonds to the oatmeal mixture before refrigerating. In the morning, top with additional blueberries, a drizzle of honey, and a splash of almond milk.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder and a dollop of peanut butter into the oatmeal mixture before refrigerating. In the morning, top with sliced bananas, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal: Add canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and a drizzle of maple syrup to the oatmeal mixture before refrigerating. In the morning, top with granola, chopped nuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
FAQs //
The entire oat groat is passed through a machine, which then chops it up using steel blades or discs. Because the oat is still in its entirety when it’s cut, it is chewier and takes longer to cook. That said, they are believed to be better for you, with more fiber, protein, and essential nutrients than regular oatmeal.
Old-fashioned oatmeal, also known as ‘large-flake’ oatmeal to differentiate it from the instant stuff, is rolled oats, which is when the oat groat has been steamed and flattened. Feel free to mix steel-cut and old-fashioned oatmeal together for this recipe. The best of both worlds!
It is a 2.5-quart Dutch oven from Martha Stewart. I got it at Macys. I have a few of these pots and I love them.
Yup. One minute. The water gets absorbed overnight. I promise you that it works.
No, they are not the same. Steel Cut Oats or Irish Oatmeal looks more like a rice or barley. Try ordering it from Amazon.
I looked around for a recipe for oats cooked in a slow cooker, but didn’t find any that I wanted to try. I like this method.
How To Store Irish Oatmeal //
Let the oatmeal cool completely then transfer to an airtight container. You can also keep the oatmeal in the Dutch oven you made it in. The oatmeal should last for up to 5 days. Because of this, you can make a week’s worth of oatmeal and just go back to it every morning. If you plan on keeping it for longer, you can freeze the oatmeal for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it, add a splash of milk and microwave it for 30-60 seconds at a time. You can also do the same thing but on the stove.
Other Breakfast Recipes You Might Like To Try //
- Easy Breakfast Tacos Recipe
- Almond Breeze Breakfast Smoothies
- Almond Breakfast Rolls
- Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies
- Irish Soda Bread
Overnight Irish Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup Irish Oatmeal
- 4 cups water
- pinch salt
add in:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 diced apple
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- almond milk if you need to thin the oatmeal a bit
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of oatmeal into 4 cups of boiling water. Add a pinch of salt.
- Let the oatmeal simmer for 1 minute.
- Cover the pot and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, put the pot on the stove and cook over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the oatmeal is hot.
- Add whatever you like to your oatmeal.
Bree D
Tuesday 8th of January 2013
Hi Bree! So cool to meet someone else with my name LOL. I love steel-cut oats. I put everything in my small slow cooker (primed with butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray) and cook on low for 7-8 hours. The smell of the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves that I put in starts to drift towards my bedroom in the last hour or so. This definitely gets me out of bed in the morning....so comforting!
Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or apricots) are another nice addition. Sometimes I even add other hearty grains to the oats make a multi-grain porridge, like coarse bulgur, spelt berries or buckwheat groats. MMMM good!
bakedbree
Monday 14th of January 2013
Sounds good!
Meredith
Friday 21st of October 2011
...This is going to end up in my mouth tomorrow morning.
bakedbree
Sunday 23rd of October 2011
I hope that you liked it Meredith.
Kathy Bussells
Wednesday 19th of October 2011
Hi! Love your recipe! Can't wait to try it, as I love texture too. I was thinking that adding the cinnamon and the apples to the warm mixture before Placing them in the fridge might give you partially baked Apples too - then add some almonds or pecans for crunch? Not sure though if apples might make too much juice? In any case, your great idea leaves Us with fun room to experiment! :) Thank you.
bakedbree
Wednesday 19th of October 2011
you are welcome Kathy.
Deborah
Tuesday 13th of September 2011
This looks delicious. I actually live in Ireland and have never seen oatmeal like that though. Wondering where I can get it, sounds wonderful. I think it must be Irish like Killian's beer is Irish! ;)
bakedbree
Thursday 15th of September 2011
LOL! Look for steel cut oats.
MsNJohnson
Wednesday 4th of May 2011
Hi Bree, I plan on making this as a special treat for breakfast tomorrow morning. Do you think it would be OK if I halved the recipe as it would need to serve two people. I absolutely love Irish Oatmeal but have never made it at home. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
bakedbree
Saturday 7th of May 2011
Yes, by all means.