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Mornings are always chaotic at my house. Having set-it-and-forget-it meal options helps my family get out the door with less stress. This rice cooker oatmeal recipe comes out creamy every time, with three unique topping options so it never gets boring.
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Becca. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist specializing in ADHD nutrition and I also have ADHD myself. I combine evidence-based nutrition knowledge with my own lived experience to help you optimize your health and time in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Rice Cooker Oatmeal
- Low effort breakfast. Add everything to your electric rice cooker, press start, and let it do the work.
- Flexible. Works with different types of oats like rolled oats, quick oats, or instant oats depending on what you have on hand. You can also add any of your favorite toppings to it.
- Great for busy mornings. Minimal prep and easy cleanup make this ideal for your weekday morning routine. A warm alternative to overnight oats.
Ingredients & Substitutions
What You’ll Need
Base oatmeal
- Oats: You can use rolled oats, quick oats, or instant oats.
- Hemp seeds: Add a little bit of protein and healthy fats.
- Liquid: Milk, a milk alternative, or water all work. You can adjust the amount slightly depending on how thick you like your oatmeal (more liquid = less thick oats).
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You can swap for brown sugar if preferred.
- Vanilla: Adds flavor.
Toppings (3 ways)
Cookie Dough Oats
- Cashew butter
- Chocolate chips
Cinnamon Apple Oats
- Apple, diced
- Cinnamon
PB & J Oats
- Peanut butter
- Fresh berries
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card with ingredient amounts and detailed instructions!
Equipment Needed
- Electric rice cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
Dietary Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based milk or water.
- Higher Protein: Add extra hemp seeds or a scoop of protein powder to the other ingredients.
How to Make Rice Cooker Oatmeal
Step 1: Add oats, hemp seeds, liquid, maple syrup, and vanilla to the rice cooker inner pot. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Close the lid and select the porridge setting or standard cook setting on your rice cooker model. Press start.
Step 3: Once the mixture starts to bubble (about 5–10 minutes), open the lid and stir to prevent overflow.
Step 4: Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes (15–20 minutes total cooking time), or until the oats reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Add your toppings of choice and serve warm.
Lower Effort Tips
- Use quick oats or instant oats for a faster cooking time.
- Prep ingredients the night before so everything is ready to go the next morning.
- Double the recipe and store leftovers in the fridge for an easy breakfast the next morning. If you plan to increase the recipe size, make sure the size of your rice cooker can accommodate it! Don’t fill the rice cooker more than half way to prevent overflow.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Add a splash of milk or water and reheat in the microwave until warm.
FAQs
Rolled oats are the best option. Quick oats or instant oats are also great as they will cook faster. But they may get a bit mushy.
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust both the liquid and cooking time. Steel cut oatmeal requires more liquid and a longer cooking time, usually 25–35 minutes depending on your rice cooker. The texture will be a bit chewier and less creamy than with rolled oats.
This can happen as the starches heat up and create foam. If it starts to bubble over, just open the lid and stir. You can also add a small amount of oil or butter to help reduce the foam.
Yes. You can cook the oatmeal in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of liquid to bring back the creamy texture.
You can, as long as your rice cooker is large enough. Make sure not to fill the cooker more than halfway to prevent overflow.
More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
Sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and veggies
Chicken nugget cobb salad
Microwave pancake bowl
Did you try this recipe? Leave a star rating & review in the comment section below!
Rice Cooker Oatmeal (3 Ways!)
Equipment
- Electric rice cooker
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Base oatmeal
- 1 cup Oats
- 2 tbsp Hemp seeds
- 2 ½ cups Liquid, milk, milk alternative, or water
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup, can add more or less, depending on your sweetness preference
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Toppings
Cookie Dough Oats
- 2 tbsp Cashew butter
- 2 tbsp Chocolate chips
Cinnamon Apple Oats
- 1 Apple, diced
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
PB & J Oats
- 1 cup Fresh berries
- 2 tbsp Peanut butter
Instructions
- Add 1 cup oats, 2 tbsp hemp seeds, 2 ½ cups liquid, 2 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla to the rice cooker. Stir to combine. Don’t fill the rice cooker more than half way to prevent overflow.
- Close the lid and select the “Cook” or “Porridge” setting.
- Once the oats begin to bubble (about 5–10 minutes), open and stir to prevent overflow.
- Cook for 10-15 more minutes (a total of 15–20 minutes), until the oats reach your preferred consistency. Your rice cooker should turn off on its own before any sticking or burning occurs.
- Once cooked, portion into bowls & add your toppings:For Cookie Dough Oats, mix in 2 tbsp cashew butter and top with 2 tbsp chocolate chips.For Cinnamon Apple Oats, stir in 1 diced apple and ½ tsp cinnamon.For PB & J Oats, mix in 2 tbsp peanut butter and top with 1 cup fresh berries.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the liquid slightly depending on how thick or thin you like your oatmeal.
- If the oatmeal starts to foam or boil over, add 1 tsp coconut oil or butter to the cooker pot to help reduce bubbling. This can help break up the starch bubbles.
- Storage & reheating. Store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or water and heat in the microwave until warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is one of my favorite low effort breakfasts. It only takes 5 minutes of prep & you can customize it with any toppings. I hope you love it as much as my family does!