The Complete Guide to Steel Cut Oats

I don't claim to be an expert at most things. But this? I know steel cut oats. And I definitely know the cookies that come after the oats. 
Steel cut oats take a long time to prepare, usually 45 minutes to and hour. I do NOT like standing at the stove for an hour stirring and waiting and stirring and waiting. Follow this tip to change your steel cut oat game. I don't remember where I heard it many years ago when I first started cooking oats (Maybe in the book Nourishing Traditions?) but I'll never forget this simple solution. 

1. You know you're going to want oats in the morning. 
   
2. Do THIS the night before: Mix together your oats and water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.
3. VERY IMPORTANT: Your ratio is 2:5. Two parts oats to five parts water. Trust me, this knowledge came from much trial and error. There were several less-than-desirable bowls of oatmeal before we found this sweet spot. I use 5 cups of water to 2 cups of steel cut oats. This will make the perfect thickness of oats for our preference. We don't like runny oats. This is also the perfect consistency for the cookie recipe that should follow every batch of these oats. 
4. In the morning, add a little cream or milk (around a quarter cup), and heat oats through while stirring. All the hard work was done while you slept the night away. 
5. Dish it out and add your toppings of choice. For us that usually means maple syrup, or brown sugar and cinnamon. 
6. Save the leftovers for cookies. I use all the leftovers in my cookies, even though that amount varies. The following recipe is very forgiving as long as your oatmeal is the right consistency.

The Leftover Oatmeal Cookie Guide

These cookies are so good I paint pictures about them. Download your free art printable and recipe PDF with my original watercolor "The Last Cookie". >>>>>>>>>RIGHT>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>OVER>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>THERE>>>>>>

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Like the photo says, These are the ingredients:

• 2 Cups Whole wheat Flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of honey OR 1 cup sucanat (or white sugar if those aren't an option, but they are not as good with white sugar!)
• 1 stick of butter, softened (I always use butter, but I'd bet coconut oil would work for vegans)
• 2 eggs (can use 1 egg if low on eggs, or a flax egg if vegan or out of eggs)
• 1.5 cups of leftover oatmeal (I never measure and simply use whatever is left, somewhere between 1 and 3 cups)
• Chocolate Chips and walnuts, or any assorted dried fruits, nuts, or other add-inns

These are super simple! Just mix them up, scoop them out and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. My first batch usually takes 15 minutes, but if I reuse the warm pan to bake more it takes around 12 minutes the second round. 

Video Guides

I'm excited to include these video instructions as well, because sometimes, you just need a visual! These were all broadcast live on Periscope, so you may see some interaction with viewers thrown into the instruction, but all the good info is still in there.


 Steel cut oats are good for you, inexpensive, and even if you don't love oatmeal, the cookies that follow the oats are the bomb.  I love making something that all my kids love. They all love oatmeal, and they love these cookies. They are an excellent option for an after school snack, a quick breakfast, or a late night snack made from whole ingredients instead of junk. 

It's really the best part of YouTube videos, getting to see the weird faces that pop up on your thumbnail. I guess 1 out of 5 isn't too bad ;)

If you made it all the way through to the end, I'm super mega impressed! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by Hearth and Caravan to learn about making oats. Please leave your questions or comments here or find me @hearth_caravan on Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope and here on Facebook.  I would love to hear if you make steel cut oats regularly, or if this post has inspired you to start doing so!