Steel cut oats, also known as Irish oatmeal, are whole oat groats that have been cut into smaller pieces rather than rolled. This results in a chewier, heartier texture compared to regular rolled oats. Steel cut oats are highly nutritious and a great way to start your day. They are packed with fiber, protein, and important vitamins and minerals.
Cooking steel cut oats does take longer than regular oats, usually around 20-30 minutes. Many people find this too time consuming on busy weekday mornings. However, cooking steel cut oats in a rice cooker or Instant Pot can help speed up the process. The rice cooker allows you to “set it and forget it”, freeing up your time for other morning tasks.
Dash rice cookers are a popular brand of small capacity rice cookers. They are affordable, easy to use, and come in fun colors. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to cook perfect steel cut oats in a Dash rice cooker. We will also discuss some tips and modifications you can make to customize your oats.
Benefits of Steel Cut Oats
Before getting into the cooking instructions, let’s discuss some of the top benefits of starting your day with a bowl of steel cut oats:
– Higher fiber content – Steel cut oats contain about 5 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup dry serving. This helps keep you full and satisfied.
– Lower glycemic index – Steel cut oats have a lower glycemic index than rolled or instant oats. This leads to a slower release of sugars into the bloodstream.
– More vitamins and minerals – Steel cutting the oats into smaller pieces allows them to retain more of their natural vitamins and minerals compared to rolled oats.
– Protein – A serving of steel cut oats provides about 5 grams of plant-based protein. This gives you lasting energy.
– Heart health – The fiber, nutrients, and plant compounds in steel cut oats support heart health. Studies show they can reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
– Lower blood pressure – The fiber may also help lower blood pressure levels.
– Aid in weight loss – The combination of fiber, protein, and slower-digesting carbs makes steel cut oats an excellent food for weight loss.
Equipment Needed
Cooking steel cut oats in a rice cooker is simple. You just need a few basic pieces of equipment:
– Dash mini rice cooker (1-2 cup capacity)
– Measuring cups
– Measuring spoons
– Saucepan (optional – for pre-soaking oats)
– Mixing spoon
– Nonstick cooking spray or oil (optional)
That’s it! The Dash rice cooker allows you to cook up the oats with minimal effort. Let’s get into the step-by-step process.
Ingredients
Steel cut oats themselves contain just one ingredient – whole oat groats! However, when making a bowl of oatmeal you’ll want to add some extra ingredients for flavor and creaminess.
Here is a basic steel cut oatmeal recipe for the Dash rice cooker:
– 1/2 cup steel cut oats
– 1 1/2 cups water
– Pinch of salt
– Desired toppings like fruit, nuts, milk, sweetener, etc.
This makes one serving. You can easily double or triple the recipe to make 2-3 servings. Just use the 1:3 ratio of oats to water.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to cook flawless steel cut oats in your Dash mini rice cooker:
1. Rinse the oats – Place the dry oats in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under running water for 30 seconds while stirring. This removes any dust or debris.
2. Combine oats and liquid in rice cooker – Add the rinsed oats and water to the inner pot of your rice cooker. If adding any salt, stir that in now too.
3. Let soak for 5-10 minutes (optional) – Allowing the oats to soak for a few minutes before turning on the cooker allows them to soften up a bit, resulting in creamier oats. This step is optional but recommended.
4. Secure lid and turn on – Place the lid on the rice cooker and turn on. Make sure the switch is flipped to the “cook” setting.
5. Allow to cook for 15-20 minutes – Cooking time can vary slightly depending on your particular Dash model. Check at the 15 minute mark and continue letting cook until thick and creamy, about 15-20 minutes total.
6. Release steam before opening lid – Once the cooker switches to “warm” mode, allow it to sit for 5 minutes before carefully opening the lid. This helps release excess steam.
7. Stir and serve – Give the oats a final stir before portioning into a bowl. Add your favorite toppings like fruit, nuts, milk, maple syrup or anything else you like!
It’s ready to enjoy! As you can see, using a Dash mini rice cooker takes all the work out of preparing steel cut oats.
Tips and Modifications
– Use milk instead of water for creamier, richer tasting oats. Any type of milk works including dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc.
– Soak the oats overnight in the fridge for super tender oats in the morning. Use a 1:4 ratio of oats to water when soaking overnight.
– Add a tablespoon of butter or oil for added richness.
– Stir in peanut butter, almond butter or other nut butters.
– Mix in ground flaxseed or chia seeds for extra nutrition.
– Top with your favorite fruits like bananas, berries, apples, or mango.
– Swap the water for apple juice or another fruit juice.
– Sprinkle on cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or other spices for flavor.
– Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or fruit jam.
– Toss in raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates or other dried fruit.
– Add chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, pecans or hazelnuts.
– Top with shredded coconut for tropical flavor.
– Drizzle with almond butter and cacao nibs for a luxurious treat.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing a bowl of oats to your taste!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about making steel cut oats in a rice cooker? Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
Can you use quick cooking steel cut oats?
Yes, you can use quick cooking steel cut oats. They will cook faster, in about 5-10 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they can overcook quickly.
Do you have to soak the oats first?
Soaking is not required but does result in creamier oats. Even just 5-10 minutes of soaking makes a difference. If you don’t have time to soak, you can cook the oats straight out of the package.
Do you have to stir the oats at all while cooking?
Stirring is not necessary. The rice cooker does all the work for you with no need to stir.
Can you use rolled oats instead?
Yes, rolled oats can be used but the cooking time will be much shorter, around 5 minutes max. Rolled oats result in a porridge-like texture vs. the chewier steel cut oats.
Do you have to use a Dash mini rice cooker?
No, any small capacity (3-cup or less) rice cooker will work. Just adjust the ratios – usually 1:2 oats to liquid is a good starting point.
Can you make a big batch of oats in a larger rice cooker?
Yes, you can double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch in a bigger capacity rice cooker. Keep the same 1:3 oat to water ratio.
Do you have to grease the pot first?
Greasing is not necessary but can help prevent sticking, especially if cooking a larger batch. A quick spritz of nonstick spray or oil wipe down of the pot is sufficient.
Conclusion
Cooking steel cut oats in a Dash mini rice cooker is a simple, hands-off way to prepare this highly nutritious whole grain. In less than 30 minutes, you can wake up to a warm bowl of creamy, satisfying oatmeal packed with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals to power your day.
With just 5 minutes of prep time the night before, you can set up overnight oats in the fridge for an even quicker morning breakfast. The options for customizations are endless too – mix in your favorite fruits, nuts, spices, and sweeteners.
We hope these instructions take the hassle out of preparing steel cut oats. No more stovetop watching and stirring required! Let the Dash rice cooker make you a warm, nourishing bowl of oatmeal anytime.
