This is a variation of our steel cut oatmeal base recipe. Start your morning with a warm, hearty bowl of Steel Cut Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts! This simple oatmeal variation combines creamy steel cut oats with sweet honey, cinnamon, fresh berries, chewy dried cherries, and crunchy toasted almonds.
Made with whole grain oats and naturally sweet fruit, this breakfast is satisfying, flavorful, and easy to customize. It’s a delicious way to start with a balanced breakfast that includes whole grains, fruit, and nuts.
Must-Know Cooking Skills
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Culinary Tips for the Best Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts
Use a combination of milk and water. Cooking oats in a mixture of milk and water creates creamy oatmeal while keeping the mixture from becoming too heavy. If you don’t want the creaminess, make the recipe with 100% water.
Stir occasionally, but not constantly. Steel cut oats need time to soften and absorb the liquid. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking and encourage even cooking. Stirring too often though can result in gummy oatmeal.
Adjust the consistency to YOUR taste. For thicker oatmeal, cook a little longer, remembering that it will continue to thicken as it cools. If your oatmeal becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of additional milk or water.
Don’t skip the salt! Even a small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the oats and other ingredients.
Toast almonds before adding them. Toasting brings out their natural oils and creates a deeper, more satisfying flavor and crunch.
Add vanilla extract at the end. Stir in vanilla extract after removing the oatmeal from the heat, otherwise it will evaporate while cooking and not be as flavorful.
Remember that oatmeal thickens as it cools. The oatmeal should look slightly loose when you remove it from the stove.
Ingredient Substitutions
Milk or Milk Alternative: Use any milk or unsweetened milk alternative you enjoy. Dairy milk, soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, and other alternatives can all work. If using a sweetened milk alternative, you may want to reduce or omit the added sweetener. Read more about the different kinds of milk here.
Honey: Maple syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or another natural sweetener can be used.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic choice, but nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, or a combination can be substituted. Learn more about the health benefits of spices in this article!
Vanilla Extract: Almond and coconut extract can also work. They tend to be stronger in flavor, so cut the amount in half
Fresh Berries: Thawed frozen berries can be used, or you can substitute any other fruit!
Dried Cherries: Any other dried fruit can be subbed. If larger like dried apricots, dice into small pieces first. Dried blueberries, cranberries, and/or raisins are easy to add as a sub.
Almonds: Use your favorite nut! Any will work. Be sure to toast it for the best flavor.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is very adaptable. Change up the fruit, add different spices, or add more mix-ins and/or toppings. The options are endless!
Want some steel cut oatmeal inspiration?
Check out the base recipe, take a look at the variations, and then have fun creating your own flavor combo!
Check out our stovetop regular oatmeal recipes for even more flavor inspiration!
Equipment Recommendations
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Is Steel Cut Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts Healthy?
Steel cut oats are a type of whole grain oat. Like other whole grains, they provide carbohydrates for energy along with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oats are made by cutting whole oat groats into smaller pieces. They contain the bran, germ, and endosperm of the oat, which means they retain the nutrients naturally found in the whole grain.
Oats are especially well known for their fiber content, including beta-glucan, a soluble fiber associated with heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps support digestive health and can contribute to feelings of fullness after eating.
Curious about the differences between steel cut oatmeal and old fashioned or rolled oats? Read this article and learn everything you ever wanted to know about oats!
Berries
Berries are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and other plant compounds that support overall health. Their natural sweetness makes this recipe delicious without needing much added sugar, and using a variety of berries increases the diversity of nutrients you consume.
Almonds
Almonds provide unsaturated fats, plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients. Toast them before adding for the best flavor and texture.
Visit our Ingredient Guide to discover culinary tips for selecting the highest quality and most flavorful items for your cooking. We believe that choosing the best ingredients is the key to creating delicious food! 🌟🍴
Serving Suggestions
Serve steel cut oatmeal with fruit and nuts for breakfast. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and customize each serving with different toppings and mix-ins so you never get bored!
For a balanced breakfast, serve oatmeal with fruit and a source of protein such as yogurt, eggs, milk, nuts, or seeds.
Ready to create nutritious meals with ease? Explore our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book for more healthy inspiration!
How to Store Leftover Steel Cut Oatmeal
Allow leftover oatmeal to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate.
When reheating, add a splash of milk or water and stir to loosen the oatmeal. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Steel cut oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sits, so adding additional liquid when reheating is normal.
Want More Recipes Featuring Oats and Berries?
Check out these favorites!
Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds
Share the Love – Leave Us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we encourage you to customize our base recipes to suit YOUR taste. Give it a try, leave us a review, and tell us which toppings or mix-ins you chose! We love hearing how you make it your own.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- 1 ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash kosher salt
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- ½ cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries)
- 2 Tablespoons dried cherries
- 2 Tablespoons toasted slivered almonds
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water, milk, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add oats, reduce heat, and stir to combine. Simmer for ~20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until oats soften and liquid is mostly absorbed. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let settle for another minute before eating. Oatmeal will thicken as it cools.
- Top with fresh berries, dried cherries, and toasted almonds. Enjoy!
