Steel cut oats, also known as Irish oatmeal, are a less processed form of oats that take longer to cook than traditional rolled oats. Steel cut oats have a chewier, nuttier texture and are often described as having more flavor and being more filling than regular oats. But do you really have to cook steel cut oatmeal or are there shortcuts to prepare it faster?
Do you have to cook steel cut oats?
Yes, steel cut oats do need to be cooked before eating. Unlike rolled oats or quick oats, steel cut oats cannot simply be soaked in milk or water overnight and eaten raw. The reason is that steel cut oats are the whole oat groats (the inner kernel) cut into only 2-3 pieces, while rolled oats are steamed and flattened oat groats pressed into flakes. This makes steel cut oats much denser and requires heat and liquid to soften them to an edible texture.
If you try to eat them raw, steel cut oats will be extremely hard and crunchy, making them very difficult to chew. Cooking allows the oats to absorb liquid which softens them into the creamy, chewy texture steel cut oats are known for. So cooked steel cut oats make for a warm, comforting breakfast while raw oats are pretty much inedible.
Do you have to cook them for a long time?
Steel cut oats do require longer cooking time compared to rolled or quick oats, but you don’t necessarily have to cook them for 30+ minutes. The traditional method is to bring water or milk to a boil, add the oats, then simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. But there are a few shortcuts to reduce the active cooking time:
- Soak the oats overnight – Soaking steel cut oats for at least 8 hours cuts down the cook time. After soaking, the oats just need 5-10 minutes of simmering to warm through and finish softening.
- Use a pressure cooker – A pressure cooker can cook steel cut oats perfectly in just 5-10 minutes under pressure.
- Use a rice cooker – Add oats and liquid to a rice cooker, turn on, and they’ll cook hands-free with no monitoring needed.
- Microwave – Steel cut oats can be cooked in the microwave in 5-10 minutes. Use a large bowl with extra liquid and stir occasionally.
- Slow cooker – Add steel cut oats and water or milk to a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours for effortless overnight oats.
So while steel cut oats do require cooking, there are easy methods to prepare them in under 10 minutes. The longer 20-30 minute traditional stovetop method results in very creamy oats.
Do you have to cook them in milk?
Steel cut oats can be cooked in water, milk, non-dairy milks, or a combination. The liquid is necessary to soften the dense oats as they cook. Here is how the different liquids impact the flavor and nutrition of steel cut oats:
- Water – Cooking the oats in water results in a more neutral flavor that highlights the natural nutty taste of the oats. Water provides no additional nutrients.
- Cow’s milk – Milk adds a creaminess, sweetness, and hint of vanilla. Milk provides protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and other nutrients.
- Non-dairy milk – Non-dairy milks like almond, soy, oat, coconut, etc. also make the oats creamy. They vary in nutrients but often have added vitamins and minerals.
- Half water, half milk – Using a mix provides more nutrients than water alone but less richness than all milk.
Using all milk or half milk and half water are common ways to cook steel cut oats. But they can be made with all water for a low calorie option. The liquid just needs to be hot to properly soften the oats as they cook.
Do you need to stir steel cut oats while cooking?
It’s recommended to stir steel cut oats occasionally while cooking, but constant stirring isn’t necessary. Here are some tips for stirring steel cut oats:
- Give the oats 2-3 brief stirs during the first 5 minutes of cooking to prevent sticking or clumping on the bottom of the pot.
- If cooking over 20 minutes, stir every 5 minutes or so. Stirring helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents the bottom from overcooking.
- Stir gently to avoid making the oats gummy by over-stirring. Use a spatula and fold rather than constant whisking.
- When microwaving, give the oats 2-3 stirs during cooking. No need to stir every minute.
- If baking steel cut oats in the oven, stir once halfway through baking.
The most important time to stir is at the start of cooking. Occasional gentle stirring helps ensure even cooking. Constant vigorous stirring isn’t necessary though and may impact the texture.
Do you have to toast the oats first?
Dry toasting the steel cut oats briefly before cooking can really intensify their naturally nutty flavor. Here’s how to toast steel cut oats:
- Add the dry oats to a skillet over medium heat. No need to add oil.
- Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Remove from heat and proceed with cooking the oats as usual.
Toasting steel cut oats is optional but only takes a couple minutes. It adds deeper flavor notes that really enhance the oats. Just be sure to stir constantly to prevent burning.
Do you need to rinse steel cut oats?
It’s not necessary to rinse steel cut oats before cooking. Here’s some context on whether rinsing is needed:
- Steel cut oats are simply whole oat groats cut into pieces, so they are less processed than rolled or quick oats.
- Rinsing removes any dust or debris, but steel cut oats are generally very clean.
- Rinsing can rinse away some of the oat flavor.
- The keys nutrients in oats (starch, protein, fat) are not water soluble so they are retained whether rinsed or not.
Given this, rinsing steel cut oats is optional and comes down to personal preference. Some people rinse out of habit or to remove any traces of dust. But rinsing is not required for cleanliness or nutrition when cooking steel cut oats.
Do you have to boil water first or can you start with cold water?
Steel cut oats can be cooked starting with either cold or boiling water. Here is how each method impacts the cooking process:
- Starting with boiling water – This reduces the total cooking time. By starting with hot water, the oats only need to simmer until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Starting with cold water – The oats will take longer to cook as the water has to come up to a boil first. This method can take 30-45 minutes total.
Starting with boiling water is faster, while starting with cold water adds extra time for the water to heat up. Either method works, the cold water approach simply makes the active cooking time longer. A way to reduce the cooking time with cold water is to soak the oats for several hours before cooking.
Do steel cut oats need to cook on low heat or can you use higher heat?
Here are some tips for what heat setting to use when cooking steel cut oats:
- Medium-low to medium heat is ideal. Too high heat can cause sticking and scorching.
- Higher heat is ok at the start to bring the liquid up to a boil when starting with cold water.
- Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook at medium-low heat.
- Higher heat may be needed if cooking a large batch of oats to maintain a simmer.
- If the oats start sticking to the bottom, the heat is too high.
In general, a low to medium simmer is best for cooking steel cut oats without scorching. Higher heat can be used at the start with cold water. Pay attention and adjust the heat as needed based on the batch size.
Do you have to cover the pot when cooking steel cut oats?
Covering the pot is recommended when cooking steel cut oats on the stovetop. Here’s why it helps:
- The lid traps the steam which helps cook the oats evenly.
- Covering the pot allows the oats to cook faster by retaining heat.
- It prevents the liquid from evaporating too quickly.
- The lid contains any splattering or bubbling as the water boils.
Cook steel cut oats uncovered for the first 2-3 minutes to allow any steam release. Then cover and leave covered for the remaining cooking time. Check and stir periodically and add more liquid if needed. Using a lid is an easy way to get perfect steel cut oats.
Do you have to presoak steel cut oats?
Presoaking is not required for cooking steel cut oats, but it can help reduce active cooking time. Here are the benefits of soaking the oats first:
- Soaking softens the hard oat groats through hydration, cutting down on simmering time.
- Overnight soaking can decrease cook time to just 5-10 minutes in the morning.
- No need to actively monitor and stir overnight – just wake up to ready oats.
- Can help with digestibility by starting the hydration process.
Downsides are needing to plan in advance and taking up space in the fridge. Overall presoaking is an optional time-saving step if your schedule allows. But steel cut oats can be enjoyably cooked without soaking first too.
Conclusion
While steel cut oats require more cooking than rolled or quick oats, there are shortcuts like soaking, using a pressure cooker, or slow cooker that significantly decrease the active cooking time needed. The right heat level, occasional stirring, and covering the pot also ensure perfect tender, creamy steel cut oats without constant monitoring. In the end, cooking brings out the delicious chewy texture and nutty flavor that makes steel cut oats so enjoyable.
