This Instant Pot Makes Creamy Oatmeal Every Time

A warm bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is a great way to start the day, and it’s hard to get bored with it since you can try so many toppings. Blueberries, apples, nuts, seeds, brown sugar, peanut butter, and cinnamon are just a few of the options, not to mention the possibility of savory oats. And yet, we’ve all been there: Your oatmeal comes out clumpy, paste-like, or watery. So, how do you cook oatmeal to achieve that creamy texture every time?

Our editors tested six different methods to find the best way to cook oatmeal for consistent flavor and texture. We discovered that the Instant Pot excelled at making large batches of creamy oats, completing the task in minutes. To try this method yourself, we recommend one of the five Instant Pots that aced our tests — the most affordable option is the compact, mini 3-quart pressure cooker that won our hearts and those of Amazon shoppers, who use it to make “perfectly cooked” oats.

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker

While severaI Instant Pots and other pressure cookers are available on the market, this 3-quart model is ideal for a small kitchen, dorm room, or a 1- to 2-person household. It measures 11 x 11 x 10 inches, so it won’t take up a lot of storage or counter space. With its seven cooking functions — pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, keep warm, and make rice or yogurt — we found that this compact Instant Pot offers the same functionality as some of the larger versions. In our tests, the Duo Mini took just 10 minutes to make fall-apart chicken and fork-tender pulled pork, which we happily devoured. Amazon shoppers are fans too, calling it the “most versatile kitchen appliance” they own and using it to cook everything from “rice and beans to soups and stew to meats and vegetables.”

When it comes to making oatmeal? Our editors tried six methods of making cooked rolled oats and were “pleasantly surprised” at the Instant Pot’s results: It made a batch of creamy and tender oatmeal in about 13 minutes. We rated this method nine stars out of 10, finding that we had “zero problems” making oats that “were incredibly creamy and tender without being mushy.” One Amazon reviewer, who lives on a small sailboat, noted that this mini Instant Pot makes “perfect cooked oatmeal” and “keeps it warm” while they get ready for the day. Another shopper noted, “With the smaller size, my kids use it to make oatmeal left and right.” Cleanup is as simple as putting the lid and inner pot in the dishwasher.

A major plus of this mini Instant Pot compared to larger sizes is that it saves space while still accomplishing many of the same tasks. It “replaced three gadgets in my kitchen,” said one shopper, who not only uses it for oats but for rice and chicken stock. Another reviewer has made “several roasts, stews, rice pilaf, and oatmeal with excellent results,” adding that it has replaced both their rice cooker and their slow cooker. The 3-quart size is “perfect for cooking for one to three people, meal prepping, or making side dishes,” said a third customer. 

For delicious, creamy oats and beyond, we recommend the mini 3-quart Instant Pot. Your hardest decision will be to decide what toppings to choose.

Shop More Pressure Cookers at Amazon

Instant Pot Duo 8-Quart Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Pro Crisp Air Fryer and Electric Pressure Cooker

Chef iQ Smart Pressure Cooker

Our Place Dream Cooker

Comfee 16-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

At the time of publishing, the price was $90.