Steel cut oats are one of my go to breakfasts ā I love them! They are filling, comforting, and can deliciously take on many different flavor combinations. Over the last few months I have prepared some tasty oatmeal concoctions. My favorites include: apple pie, blueberry lemon, coconut, and peanut butter and jelly. Yum yum yum!
The only issue with steel cut oats is they take a long time to prepare ā 40 to 45 minutes to be exact. And when your busy trying to survive the morning rush making a batch is next to impossible. I know I could also make these in the slow cooker, and I have, but I prefer them made on the stove. I like the texture better and I feel I have better control over them as they cook. I may or may not be a control freak.
Steel cut oats can be made ahead of time and usually I will make a batch on Sunday to eat throughout the week. However, I wanted to make more than 1 batch and I wanted to freeze them so I did not need to commit to eating them everyday for the week.
A couple weeks ago I froze steel cut oats and the results were just what I wanted – they froze and reheated perfectly! I was so excited. That time I portioned the batch out into plastic Ziploc bags and froze. This worked great but it seemed kind of wasteful to me. I really hated throwing all those bags away.
This time around I wanted to make a triple batch of steel cut oats to freeze but I did not want to use over 30 plastic bags so I racked my brain to figure out what to do. Then I thought muffin tins! Seriously, after writing this blog for over 2 years now you think I would already think of these things. But obviously I am still learning along the way.
I was a little nervous because I never tried this before and if it did not work I would have wasted a lot of oatmeal. But I was willing to take a risk. And I am glad I did because it worked perfectly! The feeling of excitement when I popped the oats out of the tins could only be understood by all of you.
Simple instructions to making ahead and freezing steel cut oatmeal.
Step 1. Make a batch or two or three of steel cut oatmeal. I made a basic batch (I used this recipe minus the shredded coconut) because I figured I could add fruit or other things to it after I warm it up. I am sure you can flavor it up ahead of time and it would freeze fine.
Here is a fantastic video on making steel cut oatmeal. He offers some great make ahead tips. He also talks about the different oatmeal varieties so if you are confused between steel cut oats and rolled out then you will learn the difference in this video.
Step 2. Let the steel cut oatmeal cool completely. This might take Ā½ hour or so depending how big the batch is. You donāt want to put this in the freezer hot because it will reduce the temp of your freezer and that is not good for the other food in there.
Step 3. Spray a muffin tin (or tins) with cooking spray. Portion oatmeal out into the muffin tins. I portioned mine into Ā½ cup servings and this seemed to be the perfect size.
Step 4. Place into the freezer for 4-5 hours or until firm. This is also called flash freezing. Please note you will need room in your freezer for these. So think about that ahead of time before you start cooking.
Step 5. Remove from muffin tins. This is where I got scared. But no need because they came out perfectly. Some twisted out easily others just need a little help by pouring warm water over the bottom of the tins. Just make sure you hold onto the oats because you donāt want them falling into the sink.
Step 6. Place frozen steel cut oat portions in a large plastic bag, label, and freeze.
Step 7. When ready to eat, take the number of portions you want, place in microwave safe bowl, and heat for 3-5 minutes or until hot. Stir in maple syrup and eat.
Now you can have steel cut oats ready when you want.
Suzanne says
Bob’s Red Mill makes great steel cut oats and if you do this, once it’s cooled but before you put it in the muffin tins you can add craisins, raisins, grated apple, pecans, etc. Stir it in and freeze in the muffin tins. I’ve done the craisin/apple/pecan and pineapple/coconut/macadamia. The fruit is fresh and warms up when you re-heat it and the nuts stay crisper because they weren’t cooked with the oatmeal.
Becky W. says
That’s a great idea, thanks for that tip! I don’t like it when my add ins get mushy. I can’t wait to try these, and mix the fruit and nuts in before I freeze them š
Minnesota Dave says
No need to spray muffin tins to prevent sticking. In most muffin tins they will pop out without having used any spray. If they are a little stubborn, just set the whole tin in warm/hot water for a couple minutes, and wa-la, they’ll come right out.
Mona Prickett says
You can also take the sco and put it into a coffee grinder for 3-5 seconds. Then cook it. Tastes the same and cooks up very quickly. I will try the frozen muffin tin idea as it sounds like a great idea if I run out of time in the morning I can put a couple in a covered dish and great up at work.
Julie says
This is perfect! Thank you
Jeannine says
Great idea. Only trouble: I don’t own a microwave!! (Not in my home thanks)….so do you think it could heat up well on the stove top? How long would it take?? or maybe just thaw out the night before…hmmmmm……wondering?
RejoicedOver says
Just curious if you ever tried making these and using an alternative method for reheating since you don’t own a microwave? I was thinking maybe I could defrost it overnight in the refrigerator would work, but was curious if you had tried it.
Cari B says
I made a couple dozen of these this weekend. I’m so happy to have a quick, easy and healthy breakfast for those busy mornings. I made a peaches & cream version (peaches, cinnamon, vanilla and a little maple syrup.) So good! Thank you!
Jessica says
I like to make orange-cranberry oats. I grate some orange zest into my oats and add chopped cranberries and a few nuts. I usually make a big batch and eat it through the week but I will give this frozen idea a try!
Brenda Kennedy says
I love oatmeal.i eat it every morning ,and the other day I ran out of the minute oats and made steel oats .i really did not like it as much as my minute oats. Can u do the same with this oats as u do with steel oats .i would like it in jars to last the whole week but didnt know if u could do the same .i got my guart jars and all my salad fixing .making them tonight for the week and jello and fruit in jars for afternoon snack .i am so pleased with this site .thanks for all the great recipes
Cindy Mathies says
I make the steel cut oats in the crockpot overnight. Perfect in the morning. Then I put them in muffin tins (1/2 cup each)’and flash freeze like this, for portion control.
Amy says
These are great! I add fresh blueberries and 3 strawberries cut up instead of the syrup! YUM! I buy mine at the Amish bulk food store, so I am trying to figure out the calories.
Evelyn says
Dear Amy check out ‘Nutrition chart, at http://whatscookingamerica.net/NutritionalChart.htm. I use this charts to measure, know how many carb’s and calories. I am diabetic and this helps me. I also use a glycemic chart to show which foods have the lowest GI/GL effects on my blood sugar levels.
Susan says
I cook them in a crock pot, if left overnite on low, and it’s hot in the am then I measure out and put the rest in containers so all my husband has to do is grab remove lid and microwave,
Or else u can cook on HIV for 4 hrs.
I cup of steel coat oats and add 4 cups of water
Holly Derhammer says
Try allrecipes.com. They have great crock pot recipes for steel cut oats. Love the pumpkin.
Jeri says
At one time Steel Cut Oats was just too much to do before school. Made your recipe, and now my 14 year old daughter asked me for…..Steel cut oats, I couldn’t believe~ We are getting this. Thank you so much for sharing.
Amanda says
I love steel cut oats! When I’m in a hurry I like to eat them in a coffee cup, make em a little watery, and then drink them on the way! Oh, and to help loosen them from the tins, you can fill the sink with hot water, and dip the bottom of the tins in it. Then dump them out on the counter. That way you don’t risk dumping them down the sink. ;0) But I’m going to see if I can make room in the freezer to do them tomorrow. Maybe if I take the ice cube trays outā¦ ;0)
Amy @ A Little Nosh says
Smart idea!
Linda Dietz says
Thanks for doing the field tests on the oatmeal for the rest of us. I often fix oatmeal for our once-a-month men’s breakfast…but even using the slow cooker causes me some worry…and I don’t need that when I have to get up @4:00 for last minute prep! This will work out great!!! BTW, I use your recipe for the breakfast burritos and the men absolutely LOVE them! If I have any left, I send them home & have received rave reviews from wives as well!
Lolita says
Good idea! You could do this in the silicone muffin tins and then they would be really easy to pop out. No spray needed.
mike says
Instead of cooking spray with a dubious list of ingredients. We save the carefully unwrapped butter wrappers in the fridge to grease pans ,tins, sheets.
Saundra says
I love this. We don’t do margarine and my boyfriend seems to have an allergic reaction to cooking spray. Literally makes him sick. We love butter in our house so now I am going to have a mason jar dedicated to butter wrappers.
Keli says
We use olive oil in a spray bottle instead of Pam etc.
michelle says
One, love this idea. Actually made steel cut oats at home for the first time just a couple weeks ago and yeah, they take a while to cook.
Two, love the Arabella pattern plate in the last photo. Had mine since I got married, still love it.
Lorinda says
Iāve had my Arabella about 17 yrs, some are cracking. Iāve been trying to replace them, any ideas on where to find them? I canāt seem to locate any.
Carol McGee says
What is Steel Cut Oats ? and where can you Buy Them??
Lori says
Trader Joe’s carries Organic Steel Cut Oaats
Karen says
Also Trader Joe’s has Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats that cook in 8 min. Delicious!
Amy @ A Little Nosh says
Most grocery stores carry steel cut oats in the same section as the other oatmeals. It’s a heartier oat that has more “bite” to it. The texture kind of pops in your mouth, rather than being mushy like oatmeal.
Melody says
I get mine at WalMart, I love this idea of freezing the oats. I am just now getting back into WW , and I love this convenience. I can’t wait to try.
Deanna says
You can buy them from the Amish for cheaper than the grocery store. Just look for Amish around your area
Debbie says
I buy mine at Big Lots
Whitney says
Oatmeal can be soaked in water and a couple tbsp of an acid (yogurt, lemon juice, etc) for 12 to 24 hours, and then cooks up in about 5-10 minutes. I just put these in a bowl and leave it in a warm oven (I just turn the oven light on) for a day. Then I cook the whole batch, keep it in the fridge, and reheat a serving each morning. Super easy and more nutritious than oatmeal that has only been cooked. Here’s a sample recipe: http://thenourishingcook.com/rediscovering-real-food-old-fashioned-oatmeal/
Jen says
Made these this morning!!! Thank you so much for your info. š I am using a lot of tips to stock up before baby arrives.