Single-serve Instant Pot oatmeal is remarkably simple and creamy. This quick recipe makes a budget-friendly, comforting breakfast for one, and you can even program your pressure cooker the night before so it’s ready when you wake up.

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I didn’t always love oatmeal. In fifth grade my class was filmed for an instant oatmeal commercial, which involved eating far more oatmeal than any child should. For a while after that I avoided it entirely.

Now I enjoy a warm bowl on cool mornings. I prefer making rolled oats myself, microwaving or cooking them on the stovetop, and finishing with a splash of milk and a fruit sauce or other toppings. It’s tasty, frugal, and healthy.

When our microwave stopped working a few months ago, I worried about my morning oatmeal routine. Replacing the microwave felt unnecessary since we used it mostly for oatmeal. After some research I discovered you can make single-serve oatmeal in an Instant Pot pressure cooker.

The results surprised me: pressure-cooked oats become exceptionally tender and creamy. High-pressure cooking draws out extra creaminess that microwave oats just don’t have. The Instant Pot version is hands-off and consistently better than what I made before.

How to Make Single Serve Instant Pot Oatmeal

I typically use a heat-proof soup mug or a small oven-safe bowl to cook a single serving in the Instant Pot. Add water to the bottom of the inner pot and place the trivet inside.

To lower and retrieve the mug easily, make a simple foil sling: a strip of heavy-duty foil folded into a sling shape that lets you lift the hot mug safely. If you don’t have a mug, any heat-proof bowl that fits inside the Instant Pot will work.

Keep in mind the Instant Pot takes a bit longer overall because it needs time to come to pressure before the short cook time. The advantage is that many Instant Pot models include a delayed start or timer function, so you can program the cooker the night before to begin at a set time.

I often set mine to start while I’m still asleep so that by the time I wake up the pressure has released and the oatmeal is warm and ready. It’s a simple way to streamline mornings and avoid extra dishes.

This method makes Instant Pot oatmeal a worthwhile addition to a weekly meal plan. Even if your microwave still works, try this once—you may prefer the texture and convenience.

Recommended Equipment:

• Instant Pot (or similar electric pressure cooker)
• Heat-proof mug or small oven-safe bowl

Related Recipes You Might Love:

• Caramel Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding (pressure cooker)
• Easy and inexpensive homemade breakfast sandwich

Yield: 1 serving

Single Serve Instant Pot Oatmeal

Single-serve Instant Pot oatmeal is a quick, comforting breakfast for one with minimal effort.

Prep Time
1 minute

Cook Time
2 minutes

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
13 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 cups water, divided
• pinch of salt
• milk, for finishing
• fruit or other mix-ins

Instructions

1. Pour one cup of water into the Instant Pot inner pot.
2. Place the trivet inside the pot.
3. In a heat-proof mug or bowl, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 cup water, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
4. If desired, use a foil sling to lower the mug or bowl onto the trivet for easy removal.
5. Close the lid and set the vent to “Sealed.” Use Manual/Pressure Cook on high for 2 minutes. If you want the oatmeal to start later, use the Instant Pot’s delay timer to begin cooking at a set time.
6. When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally.
7. Once the valve has dropped and it’s safe to open, carefully remove the mug or bowl.
8. Top with a splash of milk and fruit sauce or other toppings. Stir and serve.

Notes

This technique is adapted from pressure-cooking sources and tuned for single-serve convenience.