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Raspberry Oatmeal with Steel Cut Oats

Upgrade your everyday bowl of oatmeal and make Raspberry Steel Cut Oats! This satisfying recipe makes a hearty bowl of low GI, fiber-rich raspberry oatmeal to keep you feeling full until lunchtime.

Top view of the raspberry steel cut oatmeal in a bowl, garnished with walnuts and raspberries.

Oats are an all-around wholesome and nutritious food, but the food industry tends to add sneaky sugars and weird ingredients to instant oatmeal packets turning them into a high GI nightmare.

Luckily, we can incorporate natural sweeteners and flavors into steel-cut oats to make a low GI version of instant oatmeal that is just as delicious.

This raspberry and vanilla flavored steel-cut oatmeal is simple, comforting, and provides each element of a balanced breakfast -complex carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

We’re using steel-cut oats instead of old-fashioned oats because they are one of the best low GI breakfasts.

Steel-cut oats take a few extra minutes to cook, but it’s well worth it.

The best part? You can make raspberry oatmeal with steel-cut oats in advance and store them in the fridge overnight to enjoy first thing in the morning.

If you love indulgent oatmeal recipes, don’t miss this hot chocolate oatmeal or this pumpkin oatmeal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This raspberry oatmeal recipe is made with simple ingredients.
  • Steel-cut oats are among the best low GI, high protein, and high-fiber foods.
  • You can make your oatmeal in advance and keep it in the fridge overnight which is perfect for busy mornings.
  • This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite berries and mix-ins.
  • This raspberry & vanilla oatmeal tastes like dessert!

Collage of the pictures with the oatmeal, steel-cut oats in a package, and raspberries in a bowl.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Extra virgin coconut oil: Toasting steel-cut oats in coconut oil before simmering them makes the oats sweeter, creamier, and more filling.
  • Steel-cut oats: Steel-cut oats are whole oat groats cut into a few pieces. They’re typically less processed than rolled oats and instant oats.
  • Milk +water: You’ll need dairy-free milk like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk plus water to build the thick and creamy oatmeal base. You can also use cow’s milk if you’d like.
  • Coconut sugar: I love coconut sugar because it adds a subtle caramel flavor. Maple syrup would also work great in this recipe.
  • Salt: You just need a pinch to make everything taste sweeter.
  • Vanilla extract: Use your best quality pure vanilla extract here.
  • Raspberries: I love oats with berries, but raspberries are my favorite! They add a boost of antioxidants and a tart and fruity pop. You can use frozen or fresh raspberries.
  • Walnuts: For some crunch, to contrast the soft oats and juicy berries.

How To Make Raspberry Oatmeal with Steel Cut Oats

  1. Cook the steel-cut oats: Melt the coconut oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add your oats and cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats are warm and coated in coconut oil (about 2 to 3 minutes).
  2. Simmer the steel-cut oats: Next, add the milk, water, coconut sugar, and salt to the pot. Mix well and bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 20 minutes (stirring occasionally). Turn off the heat and let the pot stand covered for about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the vanilla and raspberries: Then, add the vanilla extract and raspberries and stir to combine.
  4. Garnish & serve: Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of chopped walnuts over the top, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

If you are using frozen raspberries, grab them from the freezer before you start making the oats so they can thaw a bit.

To check for doneness, give your oats a taste. If they aren’t quite tender enough, let them sit covered for a few more minutes.

After tasting, feel free to stir in more coconut sugar or an unrefined liquid sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or date syrup to sweeten things up. You can also enhance the flavor with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Raspberry steel-cut oats in a bowl and two bowls with raspberries.

Variations

The modification options are practically endless, using the steel-cut oats as a canvas.

If raspberries aren’t your thing, feel free to use any of your favorite berries or diced fruits. Check out the list below for creative ideas:

  • Raspberry lemon oatmeal – Stir lemon zest into your oats when adding the raspberries and vanilla.
  • Raspberry chocolate oatmeal – Add a couple of tablespoons of dutch-processed cocoa powder to the pot of simmering oatmeal. You can also stir dark chocolate chips with the berries and vanilla while the oatmeal is still hot.

Storing & Freezing

  • Storing: Store extras in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. If the oats seem dry, stir in a splash of milk at a time until they loosen back up.
  • Freezing: Let raspberry steel-cut oats cool and freeze in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months—Thaw in the fridge before enjoying cold or reheated in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else can I sprinkle on top of this raspberry oatmeal?

Tart raspberries pair well with almonds, macadamia nuts, unsweetened shredded coconut, cacao nibs, and chia seeds.

Can I make this with old fashioned oats?

You sure can, but cut the simmering time by half and let the oats sit covered in the pot a few minutes longer.

Can I use other berries with this recipe?

Absolutely! Just use the berries you have on hand instead of raspberries.

Raspberry Recipes You’ll Love

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Raspberry Oatmeal with Steel Cut Oats

Yield: 3 to 4 portions
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

A hot bowl of this raspberry oatmeal is filling and satisfying. It's very easy to make, delicious, and comforting. Perfect as a healthy breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup non-dairy or cow's milk
  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar or any natural low GI sweetener
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 4 Tbsp walnut pieces

Instructions

  1. If you are using frozen raspberries, take them out of the freezer before you start cooking the oats.
  2. In a medium pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the oats and cook stirring occasionally until the oats warm up and are covered in oil, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Add the milk, water, coconut sugar, and salt. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Turn off the heat and let it stand covered for about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the vanilla extract and raspberries. Mix well until the oats and raspberries are combined.
  5. Serve with 1 to 2 tablespoons of walnut pieces.

Notes

Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 4 servings calculated for the steel cut oats made with almond milk.

Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1/4 of recipe
Amount Per Serving Calories 187Total Fat 10.2gSaturated Fat 3.8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7.6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 122.6mgCarbohydrates 21.7gFiber 5gSugar 4.6gProtein 4.5g

Nutrition facts provided on this website are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a qualified health care provider for personalized diet advice and make sure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

Did you make this recipe?

If you tried this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating! To do this, click on the stars above. You can also leave a review or comment below. And don't forget to tag me @mariaushakova.blog if you share a picture on Instagram!

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Melinda

Sunday 27th of December 2020

Where do you find the information on oats - what's healthy, what's not, and more importantly why?

We love steel cut oats, but I make up my own packets of instant oatmeal for school mornings.

Maria Ushakova

Sunday 27th of December 2020

Hi Melinda! It's mostly because of the processing. Instant oats have a higher glycemic index. Especially, if you buy those flavored instant oatmeal packs. If you make them yourself from unsweetened instant oats and control how much sugar is added and also add other nutritious toppings such as nuts, seeds, and fruit or berries, instant oats can still be used. You can also add oat bran. Here is a good article to check out: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/

Michelle

Wednesday 13th of January 2016

Can any other type of oat be used and have it still be healthy? I used the steel cut oats and the texture is a bit too crunchy for my taste.

Maria Ushakova

Wednesday 13th of January 2016

If cooked properly, steel cut oats shouldn't be crunchy. You can try cooking them a bit longer (just add a bit more liquid). Otherwise, you can try regular rolled oats. Make sure that they are not instant or quick. Check the cooking time on the packaging. If it's 8 minutes or longer, they should be good.

Michelle

Monday 28th of December 2015

Could half be reheated the next morning? Also, could lowfat milk be used?

Maria Ushakova

Tuesday 29th of December 2015

Yes, it can be reheated and low fat milk should be fine too.

Cheryl

Tuesday 1st of September 2015

Made this in the crockpot....it's great!

Kristen

Wednesday 2nd of September 2015

Can you tell me how you modified the recipe to make it crockpot-friendly?

Maria Ushakova

Tuesday 1st of September 2015

So glad you like it, Cheryl!

Kate

Monday 1st of September 2014

Uh oh, I didn't know that quick cooking oats were not good for you - I thought I was being healthy by eating oatmeal every morning... I'm going to have to give this a try instead. And I love the raspberries - my favorite berries!

Maria Ushakova

Thursday 4th of September 2014

Many people don't know because quick oats are always advertised as healthy. It's much better to use regular old fashioned oats. They don't really take that much to cook either.

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