Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate + Tutorial {Vegan, Gluten-Free}
This easy Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate recipe will produce glorious, chocolate-y oatmeal that is perfect for breakfast all year round. Don’t like chocolate? Not a problem – omit the cocoa powder and flavour it however you’d like! Suitable for Vegan and Gluten-Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
So today folks I am going to make you one of the cool Instant Pot users. You know the ones – the Instant Pot ‘power users’ who know aaaaaaaaaaaaalllll the secrets of cooking in the Instant Pot. They talk in secret-language acronyms in Instant Pot Facebook groups and own a zillion Instant Pot gadgets.
They say stuff like ‘PIP for 4 mins then NPR.’
In Instant Pot power user language, that means: ‘Cook using the Pot-in-Pot method for 4 mins then do a Natural Pressure Release.’ Simple, right??
If you are scratching your head right now, don’t worry. I will share all of the secrets with you…..
What is the Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot (PIP) Method?
First – you don’t have to use the Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot method to cook this Instant Pot oats recipe, but I highly recommend it for reasons I will explain soon. (I do provide instructions on the recipe card to cook it directly in the Instant Pot inner pot.)
The Pot-in-Pot method is when you add water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot and then place a smaller pot (containing your food) inside and above the water. You do this by placing the second pot on top of a steamer basket, trivet etc. An example of this is my Instant Pot Cheesecake recipe.
Why use the Pot-in-Pot method? Some reasons….
- It is great for food that needs to be steamed and not fully submerged.
- You can cook a small quantity.
- Double the cooking space. Cook one food on the bottom of the inner pot and one food on top in another pot.
- Most importantly for Instant Pot Oatmeal… steaming using the Pot-in-Pot method keeps food from sticking as much as it would if cooked directly in the inner pot.
Anyone who has cooked oats knows they stick easily. The chances for this can be reduced by coating your cooking pot with oil, but it isn’t foolproof.
I cooked this recipe the standard way (in the Instant Pot inner pot) and using the Pot-in-Pot method and I can tell you the Pot-in-Pot method is far superior. So much less oat-sticking and a smaller container to clean. Less cleaning is always a good thing, right??
Instant Pot Oatmeal Tools
KITCHEN TOOLS, UTENSILS & APPLIANCES NEEDED
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my disclosure.
Here are some of the items you will need to make this recipe.
- 8 qt Instant Pot
- I use and love the 8 qt, extra Instant Pot Insert & sealing ring.
- 3 qt Instant Pot or 6 qt Instant Pot depending on family size.
- Pyrex bowls.
- Trivet.
- Measuring jugs or cups.
- Measuring teaspoons.
- Bowls with covers.
- Store leftover food in these.
How to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate Using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) Method – Preferred Method
Step 1. Coat your oven-safe pyrex dish with cooking spray or olive oil to reduce sticking of the oats.
Step 2. Add the ingredients to the bowl and mix well making sure the cocoa powder is mixed in.
Step 3. Add 250 ml (1 cup) of water to Instant Pot insert, place trivet and place bowl of oats on trivet.
Step 4. Cover the pot and set the valve to seal, select the manual / pressure cook function (at high pressure), and set the timer for 4 mins and allow to cook till done.
Step 5. Switch off the Instant Pot to reduce further cooking of oats.
Step 6. Let the steam release naturally about 10-15 mins before opening.
To serve. Stir well before serving. Feel free to add extra toppings.
How to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate Using the Inner Pot – Alternate Method
Chef’s tip: This is the standard method that uses the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
Step 1. Coat your pan in cooking spray or olive oil with cooking spray or olive oil to reduce sticking of the oats.
Step 2. Add the ingredients including almond milk and maple syrup (if using) to the bowl and mix well making sure the cocoa powder is mixed in.
Step 3. Cover the pot and set the valve to seal, select the manual / pressure cook function (at high pressure), and set the timer for 4 mins and allow to cook till done.
Step 4. Switch off the Instant Pot to reduce further cooking of oats.
Step 5. Let the steam release naturally about 10-15 mins before opening.
To serve. Stir well before serving. Feel free to add extra toppings.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Oats
- This is a recipe that can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- If you use the second method (cooking in the inner pot), clean your inner pot immediately after removing the oatmeal. Add water to the bottom of the inner pot and soak for 15 mins. This will make it easier to clean any oats that stuck to the bottom. If you have another inner pot then you can just use that to continue cooking whilst waiting for this one to be clean.
- Don’t use the ‘keep warm’ function for Instant Pot Oatmeal. The keep warm function is another amazing feature of the Instant Pot, but you will overcook your Instant Pot oats if you use it. The oats will keep cooking even after the pressure has gone down if you don’t remove them from the pot immediately.
- Instant Pot recommends using non-dairy milk. The folks at Instant Pot say to use non-dairy milk (almond, soya, oat, etc.) because ‘dairy tends to scorch.’
- Do not use quick oats. This is an Instant Pot rolled oats recipe. Quick-cooking oats will dissolve into mush. For steel cut oats, try my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe.
- This is a great meal-prep recipe. You can make a large batch of Instant Pot rolled oats and portion them into containers. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Pressure Cooker Oatmeal Flavour Ideas
Get creative with your oats – flavourings, additions and toppings. You can top these chocolate oats with nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, nut butter, etc.
If chocolate isn’t your favourite, you can make other types of Instant Pot oats:
- Tahini, chopped almonds and honey (Tahini Porridge Oatmeal)
- Cinnamon, ginger and apple (Cinnamon Apple Oats)
- Carrots, maple syrup, cinnamon, spice (Carrot Cake Oats)
- Blueberries, pistachio kernels and cinnamon (Blueberry Pistachio Porridge)
How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Oatmeal
Want to make this in a slow cooker? Here is how to do it:
- Coat the inner crock of your slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil (to reduce oat-sticking).
- For every 100g (1 cup) oats, use 875 ml (3 1/2 cups) liquid (75% non-dairy milk and 25% water).
- Mix everything together and cook on high for 2 hrs or 4-5 hrs on low.
Other Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole.
Weight Watchers Points in Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate
- There are 3 Freestyle points per serving.
Thank you for reading my Instant Pot rolled oats recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.
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Instant Pot Oatmeal with Chocolate
Ingredients
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- 150 g 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (if gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats)
- 690 ml 2 3/4 cups almond milk
- 250 ml 1 cup water
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder optional
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- optional ingeredient 1 tsp vanilla essence
- Optional toppings: Fruits nuts etc.
For Pot-in-Pot method
- 250 ml 1 cup extra water
Instructions
Pot-in-Pot method (preferred)
- Coat your oven-safe pyrex dish with oil.
- Add the ingredients to the bowl and mix well making sure the cocoa powder is mixed in.
- Add 250 ml (1 cup) of water to Instant Pot insert, place trivet and place bowl of oats on trivet.
- Cover the pot and set the valve to seal, select the manual / pressure cook function (at high pressure), and set the timer for 4 mins and allow to cook till done.
- Switch off the Instant Pot to reduce further cooking of oats.
- Let the steam release naturally about 10-15 mins before opening.
- Stir well before serving.
- Feel free to add extra toppings.
Direct in Instant Pot insert method
- Coat your pan in cooking spray or olive oil - to reduce the oats sticking.
- Add the ingredients to the bowl and mix well making sure the cocoa powder is mixed in.
- Cover the pot and set the valve to seal, select the manual / pressure cook function (at high pressure), and set the timer for 4 mins and allow to cook till done.
- Switch off the Instant Pot to reduce further cooking of oats.
- Let the steam release naturally about 10-15 mins before opening.
- Stir well before serving.
- Feel free to add extra toppings.
Notes
- Cook time does not include time to come up to pressure or for pressure to release.
- This is a recipe that can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- If you use the second method (cooking in the inner pot), clean your inner pot immediately after removing the oatmeal. Add water to the bottom of the inner pot and soak for 15 mins. Don’t use the ‘keep warm’ function for Instant Pot Oatmeal. The oats will keep cooking even after the pressure has gone down if you don’t remove them from the pot immediately.
- Instant Pot recommends using non-dairy milk. The folks at Instant Pot say to use non-dairy milk (almond, soya, oat, etc.) because ‘dairy tends to scorch.’
- Do not use quick oats.
- This is a great meal-prep recipe. You can make a large batch of Instant Pot rolled oats and portion them into containers. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Yes I am absolutely looking for a cold breakfast idea! How did you know? With Bobby and I both retired now, breakfast has become a challenge. Just love your idea. SO special & easy. Thanks a lot for all the things u have done.
Than you for the recipe. Well the consistency turned out just fine, I wondered if you used sweetened or unsweetened almond milk? I used unsweetened, but noticed that the chocolatey flavor didn’t seem to be very strong. I wondered if using sweetened almond milk would make it taste more like chocolate. Thanks again for the recipe!
It came out really soupy. What did I do wrong? One question.does the 1 tsp olive oil and cup water get added to oatmeal? I did that and maybe why its not as thick as it should be?
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! i love it
In the Philippines we call this champorado. It’s delicious and served for breakfast. Thanks for the insta and slow-cooker recipes!
This oatmeal looks fantastic. Although I am always down for a chocolate bar as an afternoon sweet treat I will probably try this with blueberries, pistachio kernels and cinnamon as I find the original one a bit overwhelming for breakfast.
This is such a good breakfast idea, such a delicious treat!
Such a comforting breakfast. I will have to give it a try in an instant pot.
What a great idea! I love how quick the instant pot makes everything. This looks delicious!
I love my instant pot, but have not used to pot in pot method of cooking yet. This is such a great tutorial. Plus, chocolate oatmeal? Yum!
This turned out SUPER runny for me and followed the PIP method exactly. I think it was way too much liquid.
This looks delicious and easy! I totally need to try oatmeal in the instant pot!