Simplify mornings with a quick and easy homemade maple brown sugar oatmeal. Dairy free Instant Pot oatmeal recipe using rolled oats and real maple syrup.
I remember as a kid when the boxes of instant oatmeal came out on store shelves. They were pretty much an instant hit with most every kid, especially with flavors like peaches and cream, strawberry and cream oatmeal and maple brown sugar oatmeal.
Both my mom and my grandma were HUGE fans of the maple and brown sugar oatmeal. We’d make it to go with our breakfast and even for the occasional snack.
Now with the help of my Instant Pot, I like to make it homemade, giving me the option to add less sugar and maybe make it a bit more healthy than those instant packs probably are. My family prefer steel cut or old fashioned oats, so I like to use old fashioned rolled oats.
If you’ve never made Instant Pot oatmeal, it’s really easy to make. And I’ve got a few tips for you below, especially to help prevent scorching and get that perfectly cooked texture to your oatmeal.
Looking for more Instant Pot breakfast recipes? Learn how to make easy peel pressure cooked hard boiled eggs, a super quick breakfast when you’re on the go.
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What Kind of Oats Should I Use for Instant Pot Oatmeal?
For maple oats, I prefer to use old fashioned rolled oats.
However, you can use steel cut oats. Just keep in mind, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two, since steel cut oats can take longer to cook.
The nice thing is, with the pressure cooker, things tend to cook more quickly.
The Kitchn has a great article explaining the difference between steel-cut, rolled, and instant oats.
Tips for How to Make Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal
With this oatmeal recipe, you can literally throw all your ingredients into the Instant Pot, set it, and forget it. It’s so quick and easy, but here are a few tips that may help you along the way.
Tips for How to Keep Oatmeal from Scorching
While I have used milk in the past, and it does tend to leave a film or scorch (but never leaves a burnt flavor), I prefer to use water now.
With water, the oatmeal doesn’t scorch. In fact, it turns out perfectly cooked, and my family and I all think it tastes just as good or even better than oatmeal cooked with milk.
If you don’t want to use water, you may also be able to avoid scorching with the following methods:
- Substitute another kind of dairy product (like almond milk).
- If you find you just can’t make it without it scorching, reduce the cook time by a minute or two.
- Throw everything in, adding the liquid last, and don’t stir. Just cook it.
- Use the Instant Pot Porridge setting to cook oatmeal.
Flavor Tips for Oatmeal in the Instant Pot
How much brown sugar you should put in oatmeal depends on how sweet you want it. For this recipe, I use both maple syrup and brown sugar, so I only use 1/3 cup brown sugar.
I also like to add a little cinnamon because I love the combo of maple cinnamon oatmeal!
What to Put in Oatmeal
When the oatmeal is ready to serve, have the following ingredients handy:
- Sugar or Brown Sugar
- Cream or Milk
- Pecans
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Other Fruits
I’ve always added cream or milk with a little sugar to my oatmeal after it’s cooked. Makes it oh so delicious!
More Oatmeal Recipes You May Enjoy
I love baking, and I love these oatmeal cookies that remind me of my grandma. When I don’t want raisins, oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips will do.
One of my go to dinner recipes is this easy meatloaf, made with old fashioned rolled oats. It’s by far one of our favorite family meals.
Shop Kitchen Tools for This Recipe:
Instant Pot – We’ve used both our 6-quart and our 8-quart Instant Pot.
If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!
Perfectly Cooked Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats *
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, stirring the mixture together.
- Place the lid on your Instant Pot.
- Set the Instant Pot on the Porridge setting for 6 minutes, and let it cook and do a natural release.
- When the oatmeal has finished cooking, serve it with sugar, brown sugar, milk, cream, blueberries, pecans, bananas, and other fruits.
Love this oatmeal. I like CranRaisons with mine! A couple strips of crisp bacon and you’re good to go!
Mmmm, Dan, that sounds really good. Great idea!
I make this recipe every week and I LOVE it so much. I divided it up into 5 glass bowls and reheat in the microwave in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast! Thank you for sharing your craft with us so we can all enjoy it :) I do have one question –
Do you think I could make this recipe without the brown sugar and keep all the measurements the same?
Thank you!
Rachel, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoy the oatmeal. As for your question, the brown sugar is really just there to add sweetness to the oatmeal, so I think it’d be fine to leave it out; you’d just be missing that sweetness.
How long do you do the natural release?
I just let it go ’til it releases; usually, it’s about 10 minutes or so.
This oatmeal recipe is fantastic. The taste was perfect. This was the first time ever, though, that I got a burn notice. I followed recipe on the dime. So,instead of letting it natural release I did a quick release since I got the message at the end of the 6 minute cook cycle. I think next time I’ll add four cups of water instead of 3 1/2. The oatmeal thickens up quick enough so I’m not worried about it being too watery. This really is the quickest way to make oatmeal. I loved it bc I wake up hungry in the morning!
Madalene, thank you so much! Great tips on doing a quick release and adding a little extra water too. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Mine came out mushy with this recipe :(
Natasha, if it was too mushy, you can always try adding a bit less liquid.
I would dfinitely make this again!! I used old fashioned rolled oats and the only changes I made were to use brown sugar substitute and almond milk. I added the ingredients to the instant pot based on the review by Staci on February 20, 2020. No burn notice.
Thank you, Rose! This is great to know that it worked out well for you with almond milk.
Hi Mel, I have a Crockpot brand instant pot and it doesn’t have a porridge setting. Do you know what I should cook the oatmeal at?
Kandi, hmmm, if you have a Multigrain button, I would try that for the same time.
I have to say this is the best oatmeal I have made and easiest. I followed recipe for the most part, using almond milk instead of water, even though I was risking the burn notice. :) I put dry ingredients first, then syrup, then milk. I did not stir and cooked 6 min. No burn notice and it turned out perfect! So pleased. Thank you
Staci, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! It’s one of my favorites too. Thank you!
This morning I made this oatmeal recipe, my time I have ever made oatmeal in the Instant pot and still got the burn notice!! Even followed the instructions, but It looked like the syrup went straight to bottom. Did you use the regular liner or the ceramic one?
Christina, I use the regular liner. You might try giving it a good stir before cooking. I’m not sure why it would be burning. When I make it with water (and not with dairy), I don’t have any problems with burn. I’m actually testing this recipe again, though, so I’ll let you know how it goes.
Can you make this in a slow cooker? If so, would you increase the cooking time? Have to stir it occasionally?
Heather, yes, you could likely make it in a slow cooker with occasional stirring. It might change the amount of water you’d need, as well as increase the cook time. I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure it’d work.