When you are cooking oatmeal, it is important to know how long to cook it for. It can be time-consuming and annoying to watch a pot of good old-fashioned oats cooking, waiting for it to thicken up. This is where a rice cooker comes in handy! So, if you have ever asked yourself how to cook oatmeal in a rice cooker, the answer is actually very simple. Let’s find out more.
A rice cooker will automatically shut off once the water has evaporated and your oatmeal is cooked through. In this post, we will show you how easy cooking oatmeal in a rice cooker can be!
Before we dive in, though, let’s discover what steel-cut oats are.
What are Steel Cut Oats?
Oatmeal is usually made from steel-cut oats, which are simply oat groats that have been chopped into smaller pieces. The process of chopping the grains produces more surface area, making it easier for your body to digest and extract nutrients from them. Steel-cut oats take longer than regular rolled oats to cook because they need time in order to break down their thick layer of bran, so many cooks like to soak the oats before cooking them in order to cut down on the time needed.
The good news is, they can be cooked to perfection using a rice cooker. A rice cooker is an electric pot that can be used to cook grains, vegetables, and even some types of meat. Rice cookers are also known as fuzzy logic or induction heating cooking pots because they use a setting that heats the inner aluminum pot with microwaves or electromagnetic waves in order to create heat for cooking purposes.
How to cook oatmeal in a rice cooker
When cooking steel-cut oats in a rice cooker, it’s important to be mindful of the liquid content. Steel-cut oats need more water than rolled or quick oats because they are thicker and denser, which means that there is less moisture inside them. It’s also very important not to cook your oatmeal too long when using rice otherwise the oatmeal can get overcooked and taste very dry.
What is the ratio of water to steel cut oats?
The ratio of water to steel-cut oats is about a half cup of liquid per one cup serving. This can be measured using any type of measuring tool, such as cups or spoons, which makes it easy for anyone, from novice cooks to expert chefs!
What are the benefits of cooking oatmeal in a rice cooker?
Cooking steel-cut oats in a rice cooker can be easier than boiling them on the stove. It takes less time to cook this way, and there’s less chance that you’ll over or undercook your delicious breakfast! Cooking oatmeal with water also has added health benefits such as the fact that it is lower in calories and fat than other breakfast options.
Are there any drawbacks to cooking oatmeal with a rice cooker?
There are no disadvantages that we could find! Cooked steel-cut oats taste amazing, and they’re good for you too 🙂
Can you substitute steel cut oats for rolled oats in a recipe?
Yes, you can. However, if cooking with a rice cooker it’s important to remember that the texture will be different and there may not be as much liquid inside because of the denser nature of steel-cut oats so make sure to adjust accordingly.
Which is healthier rice or oatmeal?
This is a question we often get asked. Steel-cut oats are whole grain and can be considered more healthy than white rice. This is because white rice is made from milled rice, which has the germ and bran removed during processing, whereas steel-cut oats are made with all of the parts intact, including, but not limited to:
The outer hull or husk (which provides dietary fiber), the inner kernel or endosperm that supplies B vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates, and the aleurone layer that is a source of additional protein, vitamins, and minerals.
So, steel-cut oats are healthier than white rice because they have more nutrients in their whole-grain form, whereas white rice has been milled to take out some parts, which would make it less nutritious. Granted, there are nutritional benefits associated with white rice, such as magnesium, but, generally, we reckon you’re better off with oats.
What is the difference between steel cut, rolled and instant oatmeal?
Steel-cut oats come from grinding up whole oatmeal grains into pieces which gives them a very dense texture so they take longer to cook. Rolled or flattened oats have been cut between two rollers to make them flatter and they are closer in texture to instant oatmeal.
Can you just add boiling water to oats?
It may come as a surprise but it is not a good idea to add boiling water or milk straight into your oats. The two liquids could cause the oatmeal to become too thin, giving it an unpleasant texture and taste.
What is the porridge setting on a rice cooker?
The porridge setting is a feature that you will find on most high-end rice cookers. It is designed to cook your oatmeal as slowly and gently at possible while making the oats soft so they can be easily eaten with a spoon or fork.
Can I substitute steel cut oats for quick oats in a recipe?
Steel-cut oats are whole grain, meaning they take longer to cook than the quick oats that have been pre-cut and rolled. If you use steel-cut oatmeal instead of quick oats in your recipe, it will need double the cooking time or more. Or if using steel-cut oats as opposed to quick ones for a certain dish, double the cook time, or better yet triple-check that they’re done before taking them out from under heat!
How Do I Cook Steel Cut Oats in a Rice Cooker?
Here is a healthy and easy oatmeal recipe for cooking in the rice cooker:
*Put your desired amount of steel-cut oats or other types of oats into the inner pot. Add liquid such as water, milk, or almond milk to cover them by about one inch. Because they expand in the water, you probably only want to use a cup of steel-cut oats per serving.
*Cook your steel-cut oats on the high-pressure setting with the quick release method or, if your cooker has one, the porridge setting. If you’re cooking rolled oats, use the porridge setting and cook them for about 30 minutes. The time will vary depending on your rice cooker so consult its user manual or follow the manufacturer’s directions.
*When you are ready to eat, stir in toppings of your choice such as fruit, maple syrup, brown sugar or coconut sugar before serving. You can also spice it up a little with some cinnamon or ginger.
*Steel-cut oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days and they will last a week or more in your freezer if well wrapped. Mornings just got easier!
So, there you have it a simple way to cook steel-cut oats in a rice cooker and store them for up to four days in the fridge or several weeks in your freezer. Thanks to your rice cooker, you can now sit back, relax and enjoy the mornings again.
3 Best Rice Cookers For Steel Cut Oats
To round things off, here are 3 of the best rice cookers for steel-cut oats. Oh, and by the way, they are also perfect for cooking every single day.
Cuckoo CRP-P0609S 6 cup Electric Heating Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer
The Cuckoo CRP-P0609S is a programmable pressure cooker that can cook rice to perfection. It has an intelligent cooking algorithm and will automatically switch to keep warm mode once the rice is cooked. The pot is made of stainless steel and the inner lid, steam vent, and condensation collector are all removable for easy cleaning. The nonstick coating on the inside of the pot helps prevent burning and sticking, which makes it especially good for cooking steel-cut oats.
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL: Its LED display panel has 12 menu options including pressure cook, GABA rice, brown rice, white rice, porridge, nu rung ji, and more to easily make a variety of different meals while its reheat function is optimal for leftovers
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer
The Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer is a smart choice for anyone who wants to cook perfect rice every time. The advanced fuzzy logic technology with AI adjusts cooking times and temperatures automatically, so there’s no need to worry about overcooking or burning. The pressure induction heating system makes it possible to prepare different types of rice with just the touch of a button, including white (regular, softer, or harder), umami, mixed, sushi/sweet, Jasmine, porridge, congee, and, of course, steel-cut oats.
Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Black, Made in Japan" height="429" width="500" />
- Capacity Up to 5.5 cups / 1.0 liter
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Panasonic 10 Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic and One-Touch Cooking
The Panasonic RA11563 rice cooker is a high-quality rice cooker that uses induction heating to cook your rice perfectly. It has fuzzy logic technology, which means it can adjust the cooking time and temperature for different types of rice automatically. The keep-warm function will keep your rice at the perfect temperature until you are ready to serve it. This model also includes a steaming basket so you can steam vegetables while you cook your rice!
- JAPANESE-STYLE RICE COOKER* – Industry leading induction cooking which creates an electrical current inside the pot to heat and cook rice, porridge, soup and more
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Conclusion
The rice cooker is a staple in many kitchens and people often use it for more than just cooking rice. It turns out that you can also cook steel-cut oats (and other foods) in the same pot, but first make sure your machine has a metal bowl or pan. While this isn’t as quick or convenient as using an instant oatmeal packet, it does ensure that all of those nutrients are kept intact during the cooking process. As with any recipe change, though, be sure to read up on how long each ingredient needs to stay at certain temperatures before serving so they don’t get overcooked! Now that you know how to cook oatmeal in a rice cooker and which cooker to buy its time to get cooking.
