Busy mornings just got easier! Wake up to a warm, hearty bowl of rice cooker steel cut oats—no stovetop required. Just set it and forget it with this rice cooker oatmeal hack! It’s the ultimate hands-off breakfast solution that’s cozy, nourishing, and meal-prep friendly.
Table of contents
Equipment
Whether you have a fancy or single function rice cooker, this recipe will work!
- Multi-Function Rice Cooker – I use a 6 cup Cuckoo rice cooker, which comes with advanced settings. For best results, use the porridge function.
- Standard One-Function Rice Cooker – I’ve also used a 5 cup Tayama single-function rice cooker, and it works well with just a simple press of the button.
*Both of these rice cookers can cook at least 1 cup of steel-cut oats without boiling over. If you're unsure whether your rice cooker can handle this volume, try a test by cutting this recipe in half first.
Ingredients
Steel-Cut Oats – These give you that creamy texture with just the right amount of chew. Perfect for hearty, satisfying bowls.
Water – Use plain water, or switch it up with milk, oat milk, soy milk, or even chicken, beef, or veggie broth for a savory twist and added flavor.
Salt – Just a pinch helps bring out the flavors of whatever toppings or mix-ins you add later.
Optional (for Apple Cinnamon Oats):
- Apples – Peeled and chopped. Use your favorite variety for a sweet or tart flavor.
- Brown sugar - Adds warmth and a touch of sweetness to the bowl.
- Cinnamon – A dash or two adds warmth and classic comfort.
Instructions
Add Ingredients:
In your rice cooker pot, combine steel-cut oats, water (or your choice of liquid), chopped apples, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Select Cooking Mode:
- If using a multi-function rice cooker (like a Cuckoo), select the Porridge setting.
- If using a standard one-function rice cooker (like a Tayama), simply press the Cook button.
Let It Cook:
The oats will cook automatically. Once finished, your rice cooker will either switch to the Keep Warm setting or shut off, depending on your model.
Stir: Once done cooking, stir in the remaining liquid into the oats.
Approximate Cook Times:
- Cuckoo Rice Cooker (Porridge setting): ~53 minutes
- Tayama Single-Function Rice Cooker: ~16 minutes
- Note: Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the model and batch size.
Serve & Enjoy:
Serve immediately or let it stay on the Keep Warm setting overnight and enjoy it in the morning.
Oatmeal Variations
There are so many delicious ways to customize creamy steel-cut oats for a satisfying and flavorful start to your day. Here are some of my favorite combinations to keep breakfast exciting!
Sweet Flavor Combos
- Chunky Monkey – Sliced banana, peanut butter, and chocolate chips
- PB&J – Fresh strawberries, a dollop of peanut butter, and a spoonful of strawberry jam
- Blueberry Muffin – Fresh blueberries, lemon zest, and toasted pecans
Savory Flavor Combos
- Avocado Toast-Inspired – Add a scrambled or fried egg and sliced avocado
- Breakfast Sammie – Top with an over-easy egg, a sprinkle of cheese, and serve with a side of bacon
Sweet Topping Idea
- Fresh fruit or frozen berries
- Fruit compote or jam
- Crumbled graham crackers
- Brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup
Savory Topping Ideas
- Bacon bits, sausage, or soft-boiled egg
- Splash of cream, milk, or soy sauce
- Roasted nuts or sautéed mushrooms and onions
- Nori (seaweed), roasted vegetables
Rice Cooker Troubleshooting: Boil Over
If you've ever dealt with a messy boil-over, you know how frustrating it can be! Some rice cookers, especially those with less advanced temperature regulation, may not be able to handle the high boiling of oats and liquid, causing a spillover.
Why It Happens:
- Over-boiling: The rice cooker may struggle to control the rapid boil, especially if there’s too much liquid or oats in the pot.
- Large Volume: Some rice cookers are not built to handle larger batches. If you're making a big batch, it may lead to bubbling over.
Easy Fixes:
- Use a Wooden Spoon or Chopsticks:
Place a long wooden spoon or chopsticks between the pot and the lid. This allows steam to escape, reducing the chance of a boil-over. - Start with a Smaller Batch:
If you’re unsure about the rice cooker's capacity, start by using ½ cup of oats with 1 ½ cup liquid and test the recipe. If there are no issues with overflow, feel free to increase the oats up to 1 cup.
Let me know how these tips work!
Storing and reheating oats
While oatmeal is best enjoyed fresh—since it tends to thicken and congeal as it cools—leftovers can still be saved! If you have extra, here’s how to store and reheat it for a quick breakfast later on.
Refrigerate – Store cooked oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat leftover oatmeal by adding a splash of liquid (water or milk) and microwaving on high for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. Once the oats are done cooking, the rice cooker will automatically switch to the "warm" function, allowing the oatmeal to stay warm overnight. Just be sure your rice cooker is designed to stay on safely for extended periods.
Some rice cookers may experience boil-over through the steam vent, especially with oats. To prevent this, start with a smaller batch—like ½ cup of oats to 1 ½ cup liquid—to test. You can also reduce pressure buildup by increasing ventilation: try cooking with the lid slightly ajar, or wedge a long wooden spoon or chopstick between the lid and the cooker to create a small gap.
Yes! You can get creative by adding ingredients like chopped peaches, apples, pears, dried fruit, or spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract during the cooking process for extra flavor and aroma.
More Rice Cooker Recipes
If you are rice cooker cook fanatic, I have a whole collection of rice cooker recipes! Below are some of my most recent and simple recipes.
Love a recipe you've tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card and a comment below! That'll make my day!
Let's be friends! Follow me on social media @ Instagram, Pinterest. Give me a tag @apeachyplate when you try out a recipe!
Rice Cooker Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup steelcut oats If you're unsure whether your rice cooker can handle this volume (boil over may occur), half this recipe for a test.
- 3 cups water or milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional (for Apple Cinnamon Oats):
- 1 cup apple, peeled and chopped
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: In your rice cooker pot, combine steel-cut oats, water (or your choice of liquid), chopped apples, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Select Cooking Mode:If using a multi-function rice cooker (like a Cuckoo), select the Porridge setting.If using a standard one-function rice cooker (like a Tayama), simply press the Cook button.
- Let It Cook: The oats will cook automatically. Once finished, your rice cooker will either switch to the Keep Warm setting or shut off, depending on your model.
- Stir: Once done cooking, stir in the bit of excess liquid into the oats.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately or let it stay on the Keep Warm setting overnight and enjoy it in the morning.
Notes
Nutritional facts provided are estimates and may not be entirely accurate.
Approximate Cook Times:
- Cuckoo Rice Cooker (Porridge setting): ~53 minutes
- Tayama Single-Function Rice Cooker: ~16 minutes
Note: Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the model and batch size.
Boil over problem:
- Some rice cookers, especially those with less advanced temperature regulation, may not be able to handle the high boiling of oats and liquid, causing a spillover.
- If you’re unsure about the rice cooker's capacity, start by using ½ cup of oats and test the recipe.
- Or reduce pressure buildup by increasing ventilation:
Place a long wooden spoon or chopsticks between the pot and the lid. This allows steam to escape, reducing the chance of a boil-over.
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