Instant Pot Double Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
These pressure cooker/Instant Pot chocolate steel cut oats are insanely good and thanks to natural and unrefined sweeteners, they’re healthy, too!
Fancy eating a little chocolate for breakfast? Yeah, me too. Every day.
These Instant Pot double chocolate steel cut oats are the answer.
They’re ridiculously delicious and unashamedly decadent. And thanks to the natural, unprocessed sweeteners, they fit the criteria: healthy, hearty breakfast.
Because of the current distance learning situation, we’ve actually been eating this for lunch. Like, a lot. Turns out, chocolate + oats + lunch = a very wise decision.
Steel Cut Oats in the Pressure Cooker
Making steel cut oats in the pressure cooker (instant pot or whatever brand you have) is the best way to cook those little nuggets. The hands off approach results in creamy, tender steel cut oats in a fraction of the time they usually need to cook on the stovetop.
This Instant Pot banana bread steel cut oats recipe is a staple breakfast around here, so when my friend, Allyson, messaged me and told me she made a chocolate variation, I knew I would be trying it myself in a matter of minutes.
If you are worried about the bananas, let me assure you that in this chocolate version, the banana taste is nearly undetectable. Instead, they add a boost of natural sweetener, plus they help make the cooked oats super creamy.
The Process
This two part recipe is super easy:
- Combine the milk, water, bananas, and steel cut oats and cook for 8 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for a few minutes so liquid, goopy oats don’t spurt through the valve.
- Stir in the vanilla, pure maple syrup (or honey), cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
To avoid the burn warning, I increased the water by a cup. And I also increased the cooking time just a few minutes for ultra-tender steel cut oats.
Chocolate Oatmeal Forever
The texture of these Instant Pot chocolate steel cut oats is absolute perfection.
I mean, you know you’re eating oatmeal, but it’s so flipping good, you don’t even care you are eating oatmeal. {That’s a direct quote from my 14-year old.}
This chocolate oatmeal is perfect by itself with a little swirl of milk, but if you choose to load it up with chopped pecans, raspberries (I use frozen!) or sliced bananas, coconut, and more chocolate chips, you’ll know what heaven must be like.
My only regret is now that I’ve introduced these chocolate steel cut oats to the kids, they’ll never be ok with just plain ol’ oatmeal for breakfast (or lunch) again.
I’ve created monsters.
But considering their chocolate-obsessed DNA (ahem, hi), I can’t really get all that upset. I, for one, would choose chocolate oatmeal any day over just about any other breakfast option.
So, in summary, I am also a monster.
FAQs for IP Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
Yes! A non-dairy milk substitute should work just fine for the cow’s milk.
I have only ever made this recipe in a pressure cooker, but you could experiment with a slow cooker using this recipe as a starting place. For stovetop, you’ll want about 4 cups liquid for every cup of oats – and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Sure, you can try subbing in brown sugar or granulated sugar. If using maple syrup, make sure it’s pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup. Honey will work, too.
Yes. Keep in mind they add natural sweetness and creaminess. You might need/want to increase the maple syrup or honey to taste.
Unfortunately those types of oats haven’t been tested in this recipe and won’t work as well as steel cut oats without modifications.
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Instant Pot Double Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk, almond milk, dairy milk, etc
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup (226 g) mashed bananas, about 2-3 medium bananas
- 2 cups (368 g) steel cut oats
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup pure maple syrup or honey (see note)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (21 g) cocoa powder, natural unsweetened or Dutch-process
- ¼ to ½ cup (43 to 85 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
- For serving: sliced bananas, raspberries, coconut, chocolate chips, pecans, etc.
Instructions
- Grease the insert of a 6-quart Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- To the pot, add the milk, water, bananas, oats and salt. Stir to combine. Secure the lid making sure the valve is sealed.
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes (select manual or pressure cook –> dial the minute setting up or down to get to 8 minutes –> the pressure cooker will start automatically).
- When the cooking time is done, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure (otherwise liquid may spurt through the valve if pressure is released too soon).
- Stir in the maple syrup (or honey) and vanilla. Add the cocoa powder and chocolate chips and stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Serve warm with additional milk (if desired), sliced bananas, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, raspberries, chocolate chips, etc. The oatmeal will thicken as it cools, but it makes good leftovers if reheated on low with a bit of milk or water.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: based off of this steel cut oats recipe with changes my friend, Allyson R. sent me (thanks, Allyson!)
Hi. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes. I have a question about steel cut oats in the instant pot. Why are the coconut steel cut oats recipe and the banana bread steel cut oats recipe cooking for 4 minutes but the chocolate steel cut oats recipe cooks for 8 minutes?
I like the chocolate ones a bit softer – but you could cook for less time if you’d like.
Brownie batter for breakfast! Yum!
I made this stovetop with quick cook steel cut oats (didn’t realize I bought them!) and it turned out perfectly in the 5-10 min. I used the same measurements. No need to pull out the instant pot!
perfect! quick cooking steel cut oats was my question.
Looking to see if anyone has made this in the slow cooker overnight. Wondering how much liquid you used. TIA
Made these and left the chocolate chips out (in an effort to avoid too much of a sugar rush ha) and they were AMAZING! All three kids (picky 18 m/o included) ate them and we had no leftovers. Definitely going to make these on repeat as the weather cools down!
I followed the recipe but I keep getting a burn warning? What can I do? Thanks!
Hi Rebecca, what brand of pressure cooker do you have? You can try increasing the water just a bit to see if that helps.
Didn’t have bananas- turned out like dessert, aka so good. Made me think, what if you froze them in cookie sized dollops? Makes quite a lot of oatmeal for one person.
Made this recipe many times with addition of a teaspoon of cinnamon. Also I just throw all the ingredients listed into the instant pot and cook for 8 minutes. Seems to turn out fine without burning. As well, I also like to add a little cayenne pepper as a topping at the end for a spicier kick for my husband and I. Everybody loves this recipe including my preschooler!
Another knockout! Perfect for the holidays. . I just want to be adopted into Mel’s family, lol.
Hahaha. We’ll take you!
Fyi. I messed up and put everything in at the same time. I didn’t realize until I was about to close up the pressure cooker. So, lowered cooking time to 7 min and pressure released in 10 min because I was worried about burning. It came out just fine and kids are on their 3rd helpings! So if, like me, you get cocky and start pouring stuff in, don’t fret. It can still turn out.
For those who are wondering: you can absolutely cook steel-cut oats overnight in a slow cooker (https://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/steel-cut-oats-in-the-slow-cooker/). I have a small slow cooker that I use almost exclusively for steel-cut oats. Can’t wait to try this recipe in the morning.
Oh this looks wonderful but I don’t own an Instapot . . . suggestions to adapt it ? I’m a huge fan of steel cut oats . Could eat them every day !
You could try cooking on the stovetop – but I’m not sure how the liquid to oats ratio would work out.
This looks delicious! Have you ever used it with the keep warm function so that you can make it before bed and have it ready when you wake up?
I haven’t with this particular recipe, but I’ve done that with regular steel cut oatmeal and it works great.
I tried this today and thought it was delicious. The toppings really make it. It was so good my husband and I both had “seconds.” I’d like to make it someday for my family when everyone is home for a visit. Do you think this would double ok in the pressure cooker?
As long as the water + oats doesn’t exceed the halfway mark, it should be fine. If a double batch doesn’t fit, you should be able to 1 1/2 it just fine.
This recipe is such a winner, Mel. I have dipped into it Morning, noon & night All weekend, tho I must admit the very first bite had me scratching my head-I’ve never really had sweetened chocolate oats. I really love your topping Suggestions for this, too, & wonder if using them ALL Together & even spreading them over top the leftovers in a covered dish in the fridge is what has totally & completely won me over on this one. This dish screams comfort, decadence, HOLIDAYS (?) to me, I love it.
Thanks, Lauren! Glad these won you over!
Mmmmmmmm, this is so yummy! I recommend following the recipe just as it is….the flavors are perfectly balanced! The raspberries give it a burst of freshness and are such a great compliment to the chocolate. Mel, this reminds me of your delicious Chocolate Protein Smoothie – fruity, chocolatey and healthy too! I have made that at least a couple of times a week since you posted it! I absolutely love Mel’s Kitchen Cafe! 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you so much, Jill!
Do you think I could use Coach’s Oats, which is half steel cut/half rolled type of oat? They sell them at Costco.
I honestly don’t know! Worth a try though! Some people have said with other IP oatmeal recipes that it sticks more when using rolled oats so that’s my biggest concern.
I made this this morning and topped it with raspberries. I cut the portions into 10 and with a 1/4 cup extra almond milk and 1/4 cup raspberries on top my calories came to 273.5 cals! This was delicious!
Thanks, Annie!
Hi Mel! This recipe is so delicious and decadent! Next time I may use less or even no maple syrup and just sweeten each serving to taste.
Such a great way to start the day!
Thanks for the feedback, Patricia!
I made this today, and I loved it! My kids are stinkers, and don’t eat oatmeal without whining, moaning, and gnashing of teeth, so I thought this would win them over, but 3 of the 4 didn’t like it. I think it’s delicious with some almond milk, and I added some peanut butter to get the whole chocolate/peanut butter deliciousness. So easy!
Those darn kids! 🙂 Glad YOU liked it, Ashlee!
Huge favor, could you please post the nutritional information with your lovely recipes? I will figure it out when I make it what the serving is.. but can’t seem to find it on your site.
Hi Annie, I don’t calculate that information for my recipes but you can find a lot of quick nutritional calculators online if you’re looking for the info. Sorry about that!
You can upload her recipes into the My Fitness Pal app and it will give you the nutritional breakdown.
I made this overnight in my slow cooker (I need to get a new sealing ring for my instant pot) and it is so good!! I am so excited to have leftovers for breakfast all week! Thank you Mel!
Yay, Jill! I’m glad this worked as an overnight breakfast recipe!
I’d love to try this in the slow cooker. We love Mel’s other steel cut oat recipe. Wondering if you followed the recipe exact but just used crock pot instead. TiA.
Have you ever tried prepping it the night before? My mornings are too short to prep this and make it and still have time for everyone to eat before they’re out the door! But I am dying to try it 🙂
Actually, I have prepped other kinds of steel cut oats the night before in the instant pot and it’s worked great! Haven’t done it with this particular recipe but the idea would be the same. I *think* the bananas should be fine sitting in the IP overnight – they might turn more brown. In the past, I’ve put the salt, water and steel cut oats in the Instant Pot, sealed the lid and used the delay start function to start up early the next morning.
Do you have the calorie count on this recipe?
I don’t, sorry!
I don’t – sorry!
I really dislike banana and chocolate. I think I’d be able to taste it (kind of like those people that say celery has no taste – it totally does and I don’t like it either!). Any suggestion?
You can leave the bananas out and adjust the sweetener to taste at the end.
It’s funny because I’ve also not liked the combo of chocolate and banana. In this recipe, I thought it was fine. My kids didn’t like it though. Next time I’ll reduce or leave out the banana completely.
Thanks for checking in with feedback, Chava!
I made it without bananas and it was great!
Oh great! I’m going to make it tomorrow!
Good to know – thanks, Lindsay!
I haven’t tried it in this recipe yet, but I’ve successfully substituted unsweetened applesauce before, as I don’t like the taste of cooked banana. 1 cup mashed banana = 1 cup applesauce
I’m excited to try this recipe in my stainless steel pressure cooker.
What pressure do you use 10# or 15#?
Electric pressure cookers cook at a lower pressure than stovetop pressure cookers (even on high pressure) – I think it’s probably close to 10#
I bet a little blob of peanut butter in the bowl wouldn’t hurt anyone. Extra protein! And almost like Reese’s for breakfast!
Absolutely! Great idea!
I would like to half this recipe. What adjustment should I make concerning the cook time?
If you halve the recipe, the cooking time will stay the same.
Ok mel, I’m going to take a chance on these because you said the banana isn’t very strong… I don’t do most banana flavors. Just not my thing. But I’m going to try this recipe because I trust you… I’ll report back tomorrow.
Let me know what you think, Katrina!
Ooh, we’ll have to give this a try. Since having your coconut steel cut oats, my kids think mini-chocolate chips are an oatmeal essential!
My kids would agree!
Mmm sounds good. I might do this for dinner tonight but replace the banana with apple sauce.
Let me know how that goes if you try it, Melissa!
It totally worked!
Thanks for the no banana test! I love the look of this recipe, except for the banana. I find that banana is all I taste in any of the oatmeal or breakfast cookie recipes with banana in them. But I so want to make this! I’m going to make this ahead to reheat in the morning. Yum!
I’ve been making this on the stovetop with rolled oats for years, but I think I’d love it even more with steel cut oats. I like to add a dollop of peanut butter on top and a few mini chocolate chips for that pb/chocolate combo. My kids gobble it up every time!
Peanut butter sounds like a great addition, Emily!