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Home » Breakfast

Vanilla Protein Steel Cut Oats

August 27, 2021 by Katie 14 Comments

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This simple vegan vanilla steel cut oatmeal recipe is perfect for cold winter mornings. This recipe can be enjoyed hot, or cold. This vanilla oatmeal recipe is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, high protein, and high fiber!
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the vanilla steel cut oatmeal topped with vegan yogurt, red currants, and macadamia nuts

I am so excited to share today's vanilla steel cut oats recipe with you guys! This recipe is a little different than most of the oatmeal recipes on my blog, because it uses steel cut oats. It's no secret I love my oats (I have so many oatmeal recipes, I can't help it they're so good!).

However this Vanilla Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe is sure to be a new favorite. It's easy to make, nutritious, and free of unhealthy ingredients. This recipe is:

  • VEGAN
  • OIL-FREE
  • REFINED SUGAR-FREE
  • WHOLE FOODS PLANT BASED
  • HIGH PROTEIN
  • HIGH FIBER
  • GLUTEN-FREE

The Best Plant Based Protein For These Vanilla Steel Cut Oats:

If there is one thing I love with my morning oatmeal, it's PlantFusion. I talk about PlantFusion all the time here. I just can't help it, I'm obsessed!

One reason I love PlantFusion is because I trust what goes into their products. I find that a lot of companies (even ones claiming to be health foods companies) are very shady about the ingredients that go into their products. However PlantFusion is different.

PlantFusion creates high quality protein powders and supplements made with transparency. I love this about them, because I know that whatever I order is made with my best interest. This leads me to my next point.

Most plant based protein powders are built using a one size fits all method. PlantFusion is different. They have a variety of products and supplements that are designed to target specific needs. I have fallen in love with each of these products, and honestly only have goods things to say about all of them.

I went with their classic Vanilla Complete Protein for these vanilla protein steel cut oats and it was delicious! As always my code "NATURALVEGAN" will get you 25% off your entire order at PlantFusion!

What Are Steel Cut Oats?

For the longest time I had no idea what the difference was between all the different types of oatmeal. There is: steel cut, quick, rolled, and groats. That is a lot of oats!

Steel cut oats are essentially just less processed oats. Unlike quick or rolled oats, steel cut oats are just chopped up groats. If you are not familiar with groats, they are the whole food form of oatmeal. They're not super popular, because they take awhile to cook.

Just like groats, steel cut oats take longer to cook. You cannot microwave cook steel oats (you need to ditch that microwave anyways!). Therefore you have to cook them on the stove. This may be a turn off if you are like me and you prefer quick breakfast recipes. However you can make these vanilla steel cut oats in an Instant Pot, or any pressure cooker (such as a Ninja Foodi).

How Ninja Foodi Oatmeal (Pressure Cooker Oatmeal):

One of the quickest ways to make these vanilla steel cut oatmeal is in the pressure cooker. I have the Ninja Foodi and I could not recommend it more for making oats.

To make this Ninja Foodi oatmeal, simply combine all ingredients together in the bowl. Seal the lid on the pressure cooker and set to cook on high for 6 minutes. Once the 6 minutes are up, let rest for 10 minutes. Release the steam and enjoy your vanilla steel cut oats!

the oats with a spoon scooping out some to show the creamy texture

Ingredients For These Vanilla Steel Cut Oats:

  • Steel Cut Oats - You can also make this recipe with groats, or rolled oats for a quicker version!
  • PlantFusion Vanilla Complete Protein - "NATURALVEGAN" for 25% off your purchase!
  • Vanilla Extract - The vanilla flavor is strong enough with the PlantFusion protein, but if you're a vanilla lover like me the extract really elevates the flavor.
  • Coconut Milk - Can substitute any plant based milk, but I find that coconut milk pairs best with this mixture.
  • Vegan Yogurt - I like Kite Hill, Harmless Harvest, and Cocojune!
  • Red Currants - Can substitute any berry!
  • Macadamia nuts - Can substitute any nut!

How To Make This Vanilla Steel Cut Oatmeal:

There are two methods to making this recipe: with a pressure cooker, or stovetop. If using a pressure cooker, see the above section. If making these vanilla steel cut oats on the stovetop, follow the following directions:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the steel cut oats and vanilla extract and cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Once the oats have thickened a bit, add the remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Top and serve!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Steel-Cut Oatmeal Better For You Than Rolled Oats?

If blood sugar control is your top priority, steel cut oats may be for you. Steel cut oats are slightly higher in fiber than rolled oats and quick oats. They also have the lowest glycemic index. Therefore they are a perfect blood sugar controlling food.

However these differences are minimal. Regardless of what type of oatmeal you choose, they are all very healthy. Therefore I suggest that you choose whichever option you'll enjoy the most!

How Can I Add Flavor To Oatmeal Without Sugar?

There are plenty of ways to naturally sweetened your oatmeal without adding sugar. One of my favorite ways is adding plant based protein like I did in this Vanilla Steel Cut Oats. It's important that you use a protein powder that is made with clean ingredients, and doesn't have sugar added.

My favorite way to sweetened oats and add flavor is with fruit! Fruit is natures ultimate treat. I love adding berries and bananas to my oats for flavor and natural sweetness. These vanilla steel cut oats pair perfectly with so many fruits.

How Do I Add Protein To My Oatmeal?

I love adding protein powder to my morning oatmeal. It adds flavor and nutrition. However if you're looking to increase the protein content of these vanilla steel cut oats even further there are some ingredients I'd recommend including.

I almost always add flaxseeds and chia seeds to my oats. They are full of protein and fiber. Personally I do not love the flavor of cooked chia seeds. However you can sprinkle them on top of these vanilla steel cut oats.

Depending on the plant based yogurt you choose, you can increase the protein content of this recipe even more. There are plenty of great brands out there, so I recommend trying them all!

Related Recipes:

  • Cinnamon Raisin Baked Oats
  • Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats
  • Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
  • Chocolate Caramel Baked Oats

Vanilla Protein Steel Cut Oats

This simple vegan vanilla steel cut oatmeal recipe is perfect for cold winter mornings. This recipe can be enjoyed hot, or cold. This vanilla oatmeal recipe is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, high protein, and high fiber!
4.91 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Servings 2 people
Calories 318 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure Cooker optional

Ingredients
  

For The Vanilla Steel Cut Oatmeal:

  • ½ cup steel cut oats
  • 2 scoops PlantFusion Vanilla Complete Protein
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup plant based milk of choice coconut milk is a great choice
  • 1 cup water

Toppings:

  • vegan yogurt
  • currants or fruit of choice
  • macadamia nuts or nut of choice
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Bring the pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the oats and vanilla extract. Cook on medium for 10 minutes.
  • Once the oats have thickened, add the remaining ingredients and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until desired consistency is achieved.
  • Add to bowls and top with vegan yogurt, fresh fruit, and nuts of choice. Enjoy

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 31.8gProtein: 28gFat: 8.2gSaturated Fat: 2.5gSodium: 414.7mgPotassium: 53.2mgFiber: 6gSugar: 0.3g
Keyword cooked oats, Easy, high protein vegan recipe, oats, Plantfusion, protein steel cut oatmeal, vanilla steel cut oatmeal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
the vanilla steel cut oats recipe card stating this recipe is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free
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    4.91 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Natalie

    June 13, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    This is the most delightful breakfast for my daughter. Gluten-free and full of proteins, just what she needs, thanks!

    Reply
  2. Kayla DiMaggio

    June 13, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    These protein steel cut oats were so delicious! The perfect hearty breakfast!

    Reply
  3. Melanie

    June 13, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    I really appreciate the added protein and delightful topping combinations (huge macadamia nut fan!). Yum!

    Reply
  4. Choclette

    June 13, 2022 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    I adore porridge for breakfast. Great idea to add additional protein. My husband says he always gets hungry after eating porridge, so this might just sort him out.

    Reply
    • Susan

      July 15, 2023 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      I do too! I was looking for a way to add protein to my steel cut oats this morning in place of my usual egg whites, which get a little boring even though I do top them with guacamole. This recipe was a perfect solution! DELICIOUS!

      Reply
  5. Susan

    July 15, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    DELICIOUS! I added a few slices of frozen peaches and a dollup of plain greek yogurt. I get into a slump with breakfast...same old same old for months. Your recipe has inspired me to change it up a bit every day! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  6. Auggie.G

    July 06, 2024 at 1:05 am

    Would this still taste good if Ileft out the protein powder?

    Reply
    • Katie

      July 11, 2024 at 4:24 pm

      Yes! I'd recommend adding a natural sweetener like pure maple syrup, honey, or date syrup.

      Reply
  7. Marki

    July 10, 2024 at 3:09 pm

    Do you by chance know the nutritional facts for this recipe?

    Reply
    • Katie

      July 11, 2024 at 4:37 pm

      They have just been added!

      Reply
  8. Elan

    October 24, 2024 at 12:29 pm

    I'm looking to meal prep for seven days. Will this hold up well in the fridge or freezer with the protein powder included?

    Reply
    • Katie

      October 25, 2024 at 2:35 pm

      Hi Elan, It holds up super well in the fridge, you may find that towards the end of the 7 days it may soak up a lot of the liquid. If this does happen I just recommend pouring a little extra plant based milk before serving! Hope this helps 🙂

      Reply
  9. Linda Viner

    January 21, 2025 at 12:10 pm

    This looks amazing. I have rolled oats on hand. Do I cook them for less time? It’s been forever since I’ve made oatmeal. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 21, 2025 at 2:24 pm

      Hi Linda, Yes, rolled outs will cook much quicker. I would guess about 3-5 minutes or until all the liquid has soaked up. Since they cook faster you probably don't need to use as much liquid, so I would gradually add the water. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

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