These INSTANT POT mini pots are cute little jars of perfectly steamed rolled oats, fruit, nuts, etc. cooked right in the jar, in the Instant Pot. (STOVETOP instructions coming soon!) Because they are steamed with low pressure, (not boiled) the oats stay intact and get nice and plump. These jars make the perfect warm breakfast, or packable picnic lunch. Take them to work with you, or serve them to the kids as an after school snack. They can even be refrigerated or frozen to save for future busy days when there’s no time to cook.

With so many combinations of fruits and nuts to choose from, you can literally eat a different flavor of oatmeal every day of the week! Which flavor combinations will you choose? (See combo ideas below.)

Eat the perfectly steamed oatmeal right away out of the jar, or twist on the lids and take them with you wherever you’re headed. (Don’t forget to bring a spoon!) The oatmeal jars will keep warm for about an hour after cooking, and they even serve double duty as HAND WARMERS on cold frosty mornings!) *FOOD SAFTEY NOTE: These oatmeal jars are not sealed and are not shelf stable. Please refrigerate them if not consumed within 2 hours.

Hosting overnight guests? They’re going to love waking up to the smell of warm, cinnamon-y goodness! And since the covered jars will keep warm for over an hour, your guests can sleep in and eat this warm oatmeal breakfast at their leisure. (I like to write the guests’ names on the jar lid, so they know it’s theirs to eat!)

And of course, if you don’t plan to eat right away,  just cool and cover the steamed oatmeal jars and put them into the refrigerator or freezer.  Cooked oatmeal will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, and up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, just take off the lid and heat each jar in the microwave oven for 2 minutes. Add almond milk if you like, grab a spoon, and you’re good to go!

And wouldn’t this make the perfect little GET-WELL gift to bring to someone who is sick, or just had surgery? It’s something they can eat right now, or refrigerate and eat later, depending on how they are feeling. Either way, they will appreciate and treasure your love for them with each warm and comforting spoonful!

Ok, enough ogling over oatmeal. Let’s just make some already!

INSTANT POT OATMEAL (Cooked in a JAR!)

STEP ONE:
Use 3-4 clean pint mason jars. (My jars are FAT BELLY pint jars, so only 3 jars would fit in my 6 quart instant pot duo. But if you use the standard size wide mouth pint jars, you should be able to fit in 4 jars at a time.)
*Don’t have any mason jars? It’s ok, just use ANY glass jar with a 2 cup capacity, or even a 16 oz. drinking glass with a nice, heavy flat bottom, covered with foil.  STEP TWO:
In each jar, place 1/2 cup regular rolled oats (NOT quick oats or steel cut oats.) Add 1 teaspoon ground flax seed, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir.  Next add 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and 1 cup of cold water. Stir well to mix.

STEP THREE:
Add desired combinations of fresh or frozen fruit, nuts, etc. to total about 1/4 cup. (See recipe below for fruit combo suggestions.) Or if you prefer, just leave off the fruit or nuts for plain oatmeal. Make sure to leave at least 1 inch head space at the top of each jar, so the oatmeal has room to expand as it steams.

STEP FOUR:
Set up your INSTANT POT (or other duo temperature electric pressure cooker) with the trivet/rack in the bottom. Add 2 cups hot water to the bottom of the pot.

STEP FIVE:
Cover the tops of the jars with FOIL. (Don’t use the jar lid- we want the jars to steam, not seal.) Carefully set the jars into the INSTANT POT on top of the trivet/rack.  Place the lid on the instant pot with the silicone ring in place. Turn the lid to lock, (listen for the glissando) and move the lever on the lid to the SEALING position.
Select RICE (low pressure) and adjust the time to 12 minutes. Now just stand back and LET THE MAGIC HAPPEN!

STEP SIX:
When the time is up, move the leaver to the VENT position, to quickly release the pressure. Once the nail-head drops, turn the lid to the UNLOCK position, and remove the instant pot lid.
The jars will be VERY HOT, so using a HOT PAD, carefully lift and remove the jars from the instant pot and transfer to a cooling rack. Remove the foil and admire your beautiful mini pots!

STEP SEVEN:
And now for my favorite part: adding additional toppings! This is totally OPTIONAL of course, but it’s also a lot of fun, so decorate away!
Suggested additional toppings might include: cinnamon sticks, mint leaves, additional sliced fruit, whole nuts, or even a drizzle of Cashew Sour Cream! ( it tastes just like cream cheese when drizzled on oatmeal!)

STEP EIGHT:
At this point your oatmeal is ready to eat. Add almond milk if you like, or just eat it straight up. If you will be taking the oatmeal jars with you, or keeping warm for guests, just twist the lid on top of the jars, and take them in the car with you (along with a spoon) or set on the counter or in a towel lined basket for your guests to find upon awakening.
(Remember, the oatmeal jar with the lid on will stay warm for about an hour- or even longer.)

OK, now it’s time to get creative!
Let’s go over some of the possible fruit and nut combinations you might want to try in your oatmeal mini pots:

APPLE WALNUT OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: Add 1/2 of a fresh apple, diced, or a small hand full of dried apple slices, and 1 Tablespoon chopped walnuts.
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) cinnamon sticks, mint leaf.

BERRY OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: Add 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, or mixed berries.
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) A drizzle of Cashew Sour Cream, fresh berries, mint leaves.

CARROT CAKE OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: Add 1 carrot, grated, 2 T. raisins,  and 1 T. chopped pecans.
OPTIONAL GARNISH:(Add after cooking) A drizzle of Cashew Sour Cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, grated coconut, pecan halves.

BANANA NUT OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: 1/2 banana sliced, 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans.
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) fresh or dried banana slices, mint leaf, walnut or pecan halves, a sprinkle of nutmeg.

PEACH PECAN OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: Add 1/2 diced fresh peach, or 1/4 cup frozen diced peaches, 1 tablespoon chopped pecans.
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) Pecan halves, peach slices, a light sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon.

CRANBERRY ORANGE OATMEAL:
BEFORE COOKING: Add 2 tablespoons dried Craisins,  and 1/4 cup fresh peeled orange segments, chopped, or 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) Fresh orange slice; a fresh or frozen cranberry; mint leaves.

LEMON POPPYSEED OATMEAL: (Not pictured)
BEFORE COOKING: 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoons poppy seeds or chia seeds.
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) Lemon slice, mint leaf

CHERRY CHOCOLATE OATMEAL: (Not pictured)
BEFORE COOKING: 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped pitted cherries, (fresh or frozen)
OPTIONAL GARNISH: (Add after cooking) A long stemmed maraschino cherry, 1 teaspoon vegan chocolate chips, mint leaves.

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