Cherry and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
One dish I make over and over in the pressure cooker is steel-cut oatmeal. It’s hands-off and there’s no scorching on the bottom of the pot when I get distracted and walk away for five minutes. For a flavorful rendition, combine dark chocolate with plump, fresh cherries. Serve with a dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt for a real breakfast treat.
One dish I make over and over in the pressure cooker is steel-cut oatmeal. It’s hands-off and there’s no scorching on the bottom of the pot when I get distracted and walk away for five minutes. For a flavorful rendition, combine dark chocolate with plump, fresh cherries. Serve with a dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt for a real breakfast treat.
- Carbohydrate 1.75684572989044 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.00548208333549094 g
- Fiber 0.00110416666666667 g
- Protein 0.00077125 g
- Saturated Fat 0.000998958333721703 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (181g)
- Sodium 7.38548958944087 mg
- Sugar 1.75574156322377 g
- Trans Fat 0.000194833333333334 g
- Calories 8 calories
Step-by-step
- GREASE the bottom half of your Instant Pot with cooking spray or butter. Add the oats, water, salt, and nutmeg and stir. Secure the lid.
- COOK at high pressure for 15 minutes and use a natural release.
- ADD the maple syrup and vanilla and stir until creamy. Add brown sugar if you’d like your oatmeal sweeter (keep in mind that the chocolate and cherries will add some sweetness).
- TOP each serving with chocolate chips and fresh cherries and serve.
- P.S. If it isn’t cherry season, replace the fresh cherries with 1/2 cup dried cherries.
Pressure cooking steel-cut oats eliminates the constant stirring required by stovetop methods while preventing the bottom scorching common in heavy-bottomed pots. Water penetrates the tough outer bran of the grain efficiently under high steam pressure. This creates a creamy interior without dissolving the grain's distinct chew.
Adapting for Dietary Needs and Seasonal Fruit
Steel-cut oats are naturally gluten-free, though cross-contamination occurs frequently during processing. Purchase certified gluten-free oats if necessary. Dairy-free adjustments require swapping the butter for a neutral oil and utilizing dairy-free chocolate chips. Fresh cherries provide tart acidity and vibrant color during summer months. Dried cherries offer a concentrated flavor profile and chewy texture when fresh stone fruit is unavailable. Use a 1:3 ratio when substituting dried fruit for fresh.
- Oats appear watery upon opening the pressure cooker? Let them rest covered for five additional minutes to absorb excess moisture.
- Chocolate chips melt completely into a uniform brown sludge? Stir them into individual bowls just before eating rather than the hot pot.
- Oats stick to the metal insert? Apply a thorough layer of high-heat cooking spray before adding liquids.
