Just when you think you have tried most of the whole grains and cereals a different one crosses your path. Such is the case with myself and oat groats. Recently my friend Barbara Whitney suggested that I might enjoy oat groats in place of brown rice in savory dishes. In the past I have made some savory oat dishes with sun dried tomatoes, garlic, onions and herbs and found them to be quite delicious. I set out to find myself some oat groats and that was a bigger task than I had imagined. Living in California I am usually able to find whatever type of food I desire with the abundance of stores at my disposal. However; there were only two stores that had oat groats. Thank goodness for the Whole Foods Store bulk section where I found organic oat groats. My first experiment of making them in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker was a dismal failure. They turned out like porridge and not at all like brown rice. It was then that my friend Sharon Klupt McRae told me how to make oat groats in the IP and have them turn out the consistency of brown rice. Thank you Sharon – these oat groats have been a game changer for me!
We made a video so you can see how easy cooking oat groats in the Instant Pot Pressure cooker is. I like to use my 3 QT IP for oat groats. It makes enough for the week for me.
Nutmeg Notebook
“Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.” Jun 12, 2015 Source: Mayo Clinic. Even though I follow a low fat whole food plant based diet my body is still a little cholesterol making machine. I have to be diligent about including oats in my diet to keep my LDL levels down. Since I don’t eat breakfast having a savory oat option later in the day works well for me. If you want to know more about LDL Cholesterol be sure to watch Dr Greger’s videos on cholesterol at Nutrition Facts. org.
Nutmeg Notebook
Cooked in the IP this way allows you to use oat groats in place of rice. They are a bit chewy much like brown rice and have a bit of a nutty flavor. I love them! Enjoy oat groats as a side dish, in a pilaf with your favorite mix-ins. Serve it topped with your favorite Chili, Soup or Stew. I like a scoop of it cold added to my Big Beautiful Chopped Salads. They are delicious topped with a hearty serving of Slow Cooker Black Beans, a dollop of Green Chili Hummus , cilantro and some of Tami’s Easy Red Salsa. Now you can see, there are so many ways to incorporate oat groats into your diet in a savory way. Give them a try!
I like to freeze the cooked oat groats in 1/2 cup servings in my Souper Cubes. That way I can take one serving out at a time when I wish. I also freeze wild rice this way too.
Oat Groats in a Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
Method
- Put oat groats and boiling water in the Instant Pot, set time for 5 minutes on high pressure. Natural release and let the Instant pot go to warm and let it sit for 2 hours on the warm cycle. Perfect oat groats that can be used savory like brown rice!
Tried this recipe?
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Love oat groats!! Thanks for sharing Tami!
You are so welcome Mary Ellen!
Just took my first bite of the IP Oat Groats after letting them sit for 2 hours and they are delicious!!!! Thanks so much for posting the recipe. Going to make Mushroom Chili next – can’t wait to try it with the oat groats.
Hi Mary,
I am so glad you like them! I just ate the last of mine mixed in a chopped salad – so delicious! Mushroom chili with oat groats should be delicious!
Happy Healthy Cooking,
Tami
Hi Tami, Thank you so much for all of your wonderful advice and help. I finally bought some oak groats st Whole Foods! I’m planning to cook them to eat as a second breakfast ( in place of steel cut oats) with blueberries. In that case, should they be cooked more as a porridge, or do you think that I would still prefer to have them more like a rice? If you think that I should try them more as a porridge, how should I cook them? Thank you so much! Laurie
I would still want them cooked like rice but that is personal preference! I would cook them this way and add blueberries to them. I didn’t care for them when cooked like a porridge. Some people like them as porridge. If you want them to be like porridge then you would use 1 cup oat groats, 2 cups water, 20 minutes at high natural pressure release. Enjoy!
I just found your recipe as I’m trying to find rice alternatives after hearing of the arsenic in rice. If this could replace it I would be so happy!
Tami,
Have you tried cooking oat groats using the pot-in-pot method? I cook groats this way because it lets me control the moisture more precisely, and I get a great result without the 2 hours of resting time.
I use a covered pyrex dish, on the rack in the IP over water for pressure. My proportion of groats to water is 1 to 1. IP for 15 minutes (steam or manual), and natural release. I eat immediately after the pressure releases. The texture is not at all sticky or mushy, with fluffy separate grains like in your pictures.
~Susan
Hi Susan,
That sounds like a great method. Thank you so much for sharing this. I love learning new ways of making our foods.
Happy Healthy Cooking,
Tami
Susan, what do you cover your pyrex with? Thank you!
Tami – I used your recipe successfully for a long time. Now, the groats are coming out overcooked and stuck together. I tried less time, and tried less water, but that didn’t help. I even bought a new 5 lb bag of groats!I would love suggestions! Thanks!
Hi Christine,
I have no idea what has happened. Perhaps your pressure cooker isn’t working properly? Are you finding any other recipes not working out when you use it?
I am sorry I don’t have any suggestions for you.
Tami
Hi Susan I would like to see a pic of this method of cooking oat groats. Thanks so much. And Tami I am loving your site 😉 Keep up the great work 😉
Tami,
I make oatmeal with 1/3 c steel cut oats, 1/3 c buckwheat groats, 3 c water, cook in iPot for 10 minutes. They are very creamy. I’m going to try groats with your recipe.
Westbrae organic mustard without salt can be found at Sprouts next to Roseville Costco for $2.99 or $3.99- much cheaper than Amazon. I bought them at Amazon once but no prime shipping- they cost too much there!
Love your site, blog and videos!
Hi Janet,
Thank you so much for sharing all of this information. I do buy Westbrae at Sprouts but not everyone has a Sprouts nearby like we do. We are so lucky to have so many stores right here that sell the products we like to use! Your oatmeal mixture sounds wonderful.
Happy Healthy Cooking,
Tami
Janet did you know I teach whole food plant based cooking classes in Roseville?
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nutmeg-notebook-kitchen-mexican-fiesta-cooking-demonstration-tickets-43289749807?aff=erelexpmlt
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nutmeg-notebook-fresh-spring-rolls-and-more-hands-on-demonstrationclass-tickets-43508487056?aff=erelexpmlt
Tami, yes, I just found that AND you live about 3 miles from me! I have another commitment during your March class. I will definitely sign up for a class when I can. Can’t wait!
Hi Janet,
I have another class in April maybe that one will work for you. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nutmeg-notebook-fresh-spring-rolls-and-more-hands-on-demonstrationclass-tickets-43508487056?aff=erelexpmlt
Tami
Any chance you’d have a way to make these on t he stove or crockpot that might turn out similarly? Thanks!
Hi Amy – I have only made them like this in the instant pot. Maybe do a Google search and see is someone has cracked the code for making them turn out this way on the stove top.
I’m making it today, thanks for the video
Hi Tami, would love to attend your cooking class, are you ever giving demos in Orange County, Ca. Is there anything that you would know happening out this way? I really enjoy your videos, please keep up the good work. Thanks so very much.
Priscilla
Hi Priscilla,
So many people who don’t live close enough to attend my classes requested that we video tape them and make them available to purchase on line. So we taped my last class and turned it into a cooking webinar! You can read about here with this link and it contains the information for purchasing it. http://nutmegnotebook.com/2018/05/mexican-fiesta-cooking-class-video-with-10-recipes/
I don’t do any classes in Southern California. However my dear friend Shayda holds cooking classes in her home in Southern CA – she is whole food plant based, no oil and a fabulous cook! When she comes to visit we have so much fun in the kitchen together. She has lost over 100 pounds and kept it off for years! She is a wonderful person and you will love her classes! Here is a link to her facebook page. She posts her class information there and you can send her a message and ask when she will have another class. She also has a Whole Food Plant Based Meet Up group that get’s together once a month for pot lucks and she brings in amazing speakers.https://www.facebook.com/Healthy-cooking-with-Shayda-180421719413231/
I hope this is helpful to you! It’s important to have a group of like minded people when you are on this journey of eating plants and going against mainstream society! Keep in touch and let me know how things are going.
Happy cooking,
Tami
If you do contact Shayda be sure and tell her I referred you to her!
Hi Tami,
I stumbled across your youtube video on Oat Groats and wanted to pass along that the link listed with https does not work. I tried simply http and I found your excellent blog. We have an oatmeal club that meets on a monthly basis and Mr. Ed is our official spokesperson. You can see him at http://tpmtech.biz/NOATABLE. We are anxious to try your pressure cooked groats for our next club event. Thanks for sharing!
Ed and the Oatmeal Club Gang
Thank you for letting me know about the broken link Ed. I have never heard of an oatmeal club – that is pretty cool. I hope you like the oat groats made in the pressure cooker. I love them served savory in place of rice!
Hey Tami! I have a question about the oat groats. Do I turn my IP off when the 5 mins is up and let the oat groats sit for two hours, or do I just let them sit after the 5 mins with the clock running after they cook…??? I hope I am making sense. A lot of times I will cook potatoes and just turn it off and let the pressure come down without the time still going. Just wondering. Thanks for all of your advice!
I just leave the IP on and let it come down naturally and then it goes to the warm cycle. After two hours I shut it off and remove the oat groats. They are so yummy! Enjoy!
hi, could you freeze oat groat?
Yes I freeze them all the time!
These were perfect added to today’s salad. Thank you to both you and Sharon. I’ve been wanting to make some for quite a while. I cut the recipe in half and it worked perfectly in my 3 quart instant pot.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I am so glad you like them!
Hi Tami,
I am finally going to try and make your oat groats for my salad tomorrow. Is this recipe you use for adding to salads? Thanks
Yes this is the only way I make oat groats.
Is there a way to make oat groats come out like this without an instant pot? I don’t have mine anymore 🙁
I don’t know I have only cooked them in the Instant pot. I would Google it and see if you can find a stove top or slow cooker method.
Happy Cooking!
Hi Tami – thank you for introducing me to oat groats! My local health food store ordered some for me and I’m really enjoying them in my salads. Tonight, I wasn’t too hungry so I heated up a small bowl with goji berries and blueberries, adding a little almond milk and it was so good! I had the date sugar on hand but did not need it.
Hi Marybeth,
Oat groats are so amazing! I am glad you are also enjoying them.
There is everything to like and enjoy about this lifestyle!
Happy cooking,
Tami
Hi Tami, we’ve been WFPB going on 3 years and steel cut oats have been a staple for our breakfast all that time. When I saw your video for groats I knew I had to try them. After a visit to Whole Foods in Destin, the groats are in the 2 hour stage right now.
Do you know if this recipe can be doubled?
Hi Bunny,
I love cooking oat groats in the IP! I haven’t tried to double the recipe but one of my readers did and she reported back to me that they came out mushy. I know that brown rice is tricky when you cook larger quantities the water to grain ratio changes in the IP and that must be true for oat groats as well. What the ratio would be I don’t know.
Sorry I am not much help on this one.
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Hi Tami, thank you so much! I’ve been wanting to try oat groats but didn’t know how to start. You said you use your 3qt IP. I only have an 8qt IP and am new to IP cooking (and loving it). Will this small quantity work in an 8qt or does it create different pressure? Thank you. Kristi
Hi Kristi,
I haven’t tried making the oat groats in my 8 QT but I would think it work fine. It might taking longer to come to pressure because it’s so much larger than my 3 QT. I know someone told me they tried to double the recipe and make it in their 8 QT and they came out mushy as a double batch. Give it a try and would you let me know if it worked for you?
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Groats have become my new go to oatmeal breakfast when I don’t eat a salad. So much better flavor then regular oatmeal. I put in blueberries and most times eat it cold. Thanks Tami
Hi Rich
That sounds delicious!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Hi Tami,
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. First, I’d like to say that following this recipe it turns out the best. Sometimes I am having to prepare meals on very short notice for my family and their friends. I have a 10 quart Insta pot so when I’m trying to make my oat groats rice or as my children call it “mom’s fake rice” really quickly this is what I do… It doesn’t turn out quite as good but it’s not bad at all.
I turn on my electric kettle so it can start heating up water (it just makes it faster) while l go grab all my spices and groats. I put 2 cups of oats groats in the Insta pot with all my spices, depending on what I’m serving with the groats. Then I add 1 and 3/4 cup of boiling water from the Electric kettle. I cook on high pressure for 12 mins turn it off and release the steam. Then I drain the groats in a fine mesh strainer. There is usually not very much water at all but getting rid of that extra water makes it more like rice. Its ready to serve with whatever your main dish is – mine is usually salmon or chicken tandoori.
Hi Terry,
Thanks for sharing! Sounds great!
Tami
Oh No Tami,
Totally screwed up it’s a 8 quart not a 10 quart sorry IP. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking correctly!
My apologies! Terry
No worries! Not a big mistake – I figured it was an 8 QT!
OMG! Which means Oh My Groats! Oat groats have rocked my world. I had purchased some a while back but never used them … didn’t really know what to do with them. Then, after watching your YouTube video the other night (immediately after) I made them. When you sampled them at the end, I just couldn’t believe that they could be so tasty naked, so to speak … without salt. I still have not yet made the SOS challenge. Only oil free at this point. Anyway … not only were they delicious plain, but they were even better with some Benson’s table tasty which gave me the confidence that I could, in fact, go salt free. I have since used them as a bed for a stir fry dish and also a mushroom curry dish instead of brown rice. I kid you not … I am so happy I want to burst into song. Thanks!!!
Hi Jennifer!
I am so happy about how thrilled and happy you are about Oat Groats!
Thank you for taking the time to share – I love your enthusiasm!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Any recipe for oat bran overnight? Can I just cook on high for 5/6 minutes and let it sit for hours?
I am sorry I don’t know I have never cooked oat bran.
Sorry I meant oat groats. I have a 6quart and want to put a cup of dry oat groats with 2 cups of water in my instant pot to be ready for the morning. Do you think I could do that with the delayed start feature? I wouldn’t use boiling water of course but would the oat groats come out fine being soaked in water for the long?
Hi Angelina,
I wouldn’t soak them over night as I think that will change the texture and they might turn out more like porridge and less like the texture of brown rice. But I haven’t tried it so we won’t know for sure. You could try it and see what happens.
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Hi,
I was wondering if you have ever made oat groats in instant pot using the pot in a pot method? I have been making them on the stove, but now that I have an IP, I would like to use the “Delay” setting and have it ready in the morning.
The only problem is that the 6 qt pot is too big to make a small batch of fresh oat groats and I would like to use a smaller pot.
Thanks.
I have not tried that. If you do let me know how it goes!
Oh my goodness!!! The only way I knew to cook IP oat groats was 1). Soak one cup of oatgroats overnight in water. Drain, add 3 cups of water, pressure cook for 35 mi utes. I am sure you can imagine the ‘slimy’ result. But they tasted fine so I ate them. I am THRILLED that I will no longer have slimy oat groats. I plan to try this method with barley groats also. THANK YOU
For the first time, and following your instructions, I cooked oat groats in my Instant Pot. Great results! This is my first experience with oat groats but I will now cook them with confidence and regularly. Your explanations are cristal clear and I appreciate a lot! Thank you, Tami!
You are welcome Lise!
This did turn out perfect. So grateful. New to the lifestyle WFPB. Discovered Chef AJ than you. Late 2019! Through You 2 ladies so much has changed In my life by eating this way.
I have no one to share this with, thus this us the 1st note I’ve written. I live in Peoria, Il for 3 yrs now. I want to come cook with or someone like you & Tom & Chef AJ.
Well, keep up the great work!
Truly Grateful, Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Congratulations on your WFPB lifestyle! We used to live in the Quad Cities – its a small world.
Warm regards,
Tami
I followed your instructions, and the oat groats turned out perfectly! Do you rinse the groats before you cook them? Do you know if the cooked groats can be frozen?
Hi Cathy,
I don’t rinse the oat groats before cooking. I am glad you liked how they turned out.
Hi Tami! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve had success making a larger batch. I cook 3 cups oat groats with 2.5 cups boiling water. Everything else is the same (5 minutes high pressure, natural release, let sit for 2 hours). This is done in a 6qt instant pot. I hope someone figure out how to double your recipe!
Hi Cathy,
Thank you for sharing your experience cooking the oat groats. They are a regular item on my plate or in my bowl – I just love them!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Love these oat groats as morning cereals or substitute for rice, etc. I discovered how to cook them on your blog. I received a bag of oat groats in a local biological vegetables basket and labeled as Organic Naked Oats. . I live in the Province of Quebec (Canada) and Just wanted to share this with you..Thank you Tami for your blog and videos. Keep safe and take care.
Hi Lise,
That is so interesting – thank you for sharing. I have never heard them called Naked Oats!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Thanks Tami! Because of your Facebook group, website and this recipe, I bought a 3 quart Instant Pot and now have perfect groats!!!!!
Hi Christine,
I am so glad you like your 3 QT Instant Pot and the oat groats. The oat groats are delicious!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Oat groats are a fun discovery and this recipe is perfect, I use them all week just as oatmeal for breakfast or under veggies and sauce like rice! Thank you Tami
Hi Bonnie,
I am so glad you like oat groats. They are so versatile!
Tami
Tami, are Oat Groats the same of Buckwheat Groats? Im familiar with Buckwheat but not Oat Groats, Thank you! You and your blog are incredible!!!!
Hi Terri
Thank you for your kind comments. Oat groats are different than Buckwheat Groats. Some stores have them in bulk bins. But all during the pandemic I’ve been buying them on Amazon. Here is our Amazon Affiliate link. https://amzn.to/3aKvPbI
Love these oat groats! I first tried them in my 6-quart and they were watery and not good at all. I gave them another chance and bought the 3-quart and perfect oat groats every time!
I’m so glad the recipe is working out for you.
Happy Cooking!
Thank you for this! Oat groats are now my go-to grain!
I also love my chopped salads in my Holland Bowl. It’s a game-changer for me!
Hi Deb,
That makes me so happy. Chopped salads are the best!
Happy Chopping.
HI Tami ! Loved the way you cook the Oat Groats . Since when i first got my Instant Pot I also bring the water or whatever liquid I am using , to a boil first . It makes the whole pressure cooking process so much faster!!!
Question… the two hours ” resting ” time is with the Instant Pot on ” warming ” mode or totally ” off” .
Thanks again!
Hi Magda,
I keep the instant pot on warm for 2 hours. It works great!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
This recipe is outstanding! Perfect everytime. And a WHOPPING 35% lower calories than cooked brown rice gram for gram…
Hi David
I am so glad you like this recipe!
Happy healthy cooking.
Tami
I tried it! Delicious!
I am so glad you liked it!
After many attempts at making instant pot oat groats, someone in the instant pot for beginners facebook group recommended your recipe. I tried it today and was so incredibly happy. Thank you so much.
That is wonderful Bethany! Enjoy!
Love this revipe. It makes cooking oat groats so easy. They come out perfect every time.
I am so happy that you like this recipe. It is full proof!
I just tried your recipe for IP oat groats tonite and it came out AMAZING ( I just rinsed the groats prior to putting in IP out of habit )…I also like them savory so I put some organic plain hummus from Wegman’s ( no oil in it ) and a couple of tablespoons of arrabiata tomato sauce, mixed it up & it was a match made in heaven… thank you for making my life simpler because I have enough oat groats made for the week !
Maria that sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing your ideas. I am so glad this recipe worked well for you. Having food prepared ahead of time makes it so much easier to eat healthy every day.
Do the raw oat groats need to be first rinsed before putting them into the IP?
Follow the instructions on your bag of oat groats. I don’t rinse mine.
Do you have recipes similar to instant pot oat grouts for other whole grains?
We have a video for how to cook brown rice in an Instant Pot https://nutmegnotebook.com/posts/how-to-cook-brown-rice-in-an-instant-pot/
Loved how these turned out. Tried cooking hulled barley with the same water to grain ratio and cooking/rest instructions. Turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing your technique.
Hi Mimi, I am so glad you liked the recipe and that it worked with barley!