Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie Protein Oats

It's the season of all things pumpkin!

I'm about as basic as they come. and I'm really okay with that. Yesterday I made two batches of pumpkin bars, and today I'm here with a perfectly-spiced, super hearty breakfast recipe: protein oatmeal!

Steel-cut oats are minimally processed and denser in fiber than rolled oats. Steel-cut oats are slower burning carbs than rolled oats, meaning they won't cause your blood sugar to spike like highly processed carbs would.

I threw in some protein powder because, to be honest, I hate feeling hungry by 10:00 am when my breakfast typically wears off. This recipe combines a slow-digesting carb with protein to fill you up and keep you full for hours, so no more mid-morning snacking!

Truthfully, I had intended to make this oatmeal in the slow cooker, but I totally forgot to start it the night before. So this slow-cooker recipe turned into an Instant Pot recipe the next morning because of my lack of planning - precisely why I love my Instant Pot!

However, this recipe can easily be modified for the slow cooker if you don't have an Instant Pot (but I do highly recommend you get one!). Simply mix together your steel-cut oats and water in your slow cooker and cook on low overnight for 8-10 hours. Then, mix in the rest of the ingredients per the directions below.

Ingredients

6 cups water
2 cups steel cut oats
15 oz can of pumpkin
1 cup vanilla protein powder
2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice (can substitute cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In inner pot, mix together oats and water.
Close the lid, make sure the vent is sealed and set time for 4 minutes on "manual" or "pressure cook" setting.
After the four minutes expire, allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes.
Quick release after 20 minutes natural pressure release and open the lid.
Stir oat mixture. Mix in pumpkin, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

This is a rather large batch recipe, so there will be plenty to enjoy throughout the week. Perfect for meal prepping! Again, if you want to try slow-cooking this recipe, cook the oats first and then stir in the other ingredients to prevent from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot.