Instant Pot Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal

Breakfast

For me, healthy steel-cut oatmeal dressed up like an ooey-gooey cinnamon bun is the best of all possible worlds. You get all the healthy benefits of the minimally processed oats with a dash of fun (and juicy raisins) mixed in. The Instant Pot (get yours here: https://amzn.to/2QmSPR1) makes it all possible!

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This is a basic brown butter oatmeal recipe where the oats are lightly toasted before the liquids are added. This gives a richer, more complex flavor to the finished product, which can otherwise be a bit flat. Then that basic oatmeal gets all dressed up with raisins, a touch of cinnamon-infused brown sugar and a light swirl of cream cheese icing. Delicious!

Steel-cut oats are great to make in the Instant Pot. There’s no stirring, no babysitting, no worrying about the oats burning on the bottom. Like a lot of Instant Pot recipes, you just set it and forget it. Steel cut oats (also known as Irish oats) are among the healthiest grains you can eat. They are high in fiber, low on the glycemic index, naturally gluten-free and a great source of iron.

Pro Tip: Make a very fine layer of the brown sugar topping and let it sit so it absorbs liquid and turns dark. You may need to press gently with the back of a spoon to get it evenly brown. The darkened sugar makes a beautiful contrast with the white icing and gives it the “cinnamon roll” look.

Healthy steel-cut oatmeal dressed up like an ooey-gooey cinnamon bun is the best of all possible worlds!


Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 3 1/4 cups water, warmed
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 + 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp milk
  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • Additional cinnamon for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add butter to the Instant Pot. Using the display panel select the SAUTE function.
  2. When butter melts, add the oats and saute, stirring often, for about 5 minutes or until slightly toasted and fragrant.
  3. Add the water and salt and stir to combine, ensuring all oats are submerged.
  4. Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL, then secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed.
  5. Using the display panel select the MANUAL function*. Use the +/- keys and program the Instant Pot for 12 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon.
  7. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk. Load the cream cheese mixture in a piping bag (or use a plastic bag and snip off the corner).
  8. When the cooking time is up, quick-release the pressure.
  9. Add raisins and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Stir the oatmeal to incorporate remaining liquid and achieve desired consistency
  10. Divide the oatmeal into individual bowls. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over each serving and top with a spiral of cream cheese icing. Serve hot, garnished with additional cinnamon (optional)

*The MANUAL and PRESSURE COOK buttons are interchangeable.

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