These Cranberry Orange steel cut oats were inspired by my favorite Tried and True Cranberry Bread recipe. Like the bread, three simple ingredients – dried cranberries, orange juice, orange zest and nuts – transform a boring bowl of oatmeal into a creamy, healthy, nutty, and tasty breakfast.
If you’ve ever made steel cuts, you know they take 30 to 45 minutes to cook, unless, you pre-soak them. I used to soak them overnight, but since I found myself forgetting most nights, I’ve gone to a pre-soak in the morning. While I’m steeping my first cup of tea, I boil some water, pour in the oats, cover and let them soak until I get hungry. It only takes 30 minutes but they can soak as long as you want. Once pre-soaked, the oats only take about 15 minutes to cook up.
If you are wondering about the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats, here is an interesting article: Are Steel Cuts Healthier Than Rolled Oats? Whether the answer to this question is Yes or No, I think they both have a purpose. I use rolled oats in cookies, quick breads and granola, and steel cuts for a warm, hearty cold weather breakfast.
Cranberry Orange Steel Cut Oats
The recipe below was modified since it was first posted to make an even tastier breakfast. Some of the original amount of water and almond milk has been replaced with orange juice. I found that since I was using a fresh orange for the zest, why not use the juice as well. These oats were good before, but now that are absolutely delicious!
*See Kitchen Notes for more information, substitutes or links (when applicable).
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 cup hot water
- juice from one orange
- ¼ cup Vanilla almond milk*
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tsp. brown sugar or honey* (or to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts*
- Zest from one orange
- (Optional) Scoop of Greek yogurt
Bring 1 cups water to a boil in a sauce pan. Slowly add the oats, stirring. Bring back to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and cover. Let sit at least 30 minutes to overnight.
Reheat the oats with the orange juice. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and stir for about 5 minutes. If the oats appear too thick, add some almond milk.
Add the cranberries and sweetener. Cook, stirring occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes. Taste for texture, sweetness and saltiness. Adjust each to your taste.
- Add the nuts and orange zest. Stir and cook for another minute or 2 until the oats are to the desired doneness and thickness. You may need to add a little more milk if they are too thick.
Divide the oatmeal between two bowls and top with a scoop of Greek yogurt if desired.
Thickness of oats – Steel cuts soak up a lot of liquid; therefore, the longer they soak and cook, the more liquid you’ll need. So just keep adding almond milk until you get the consistency you want.
Almond milk – Almond milk, soy milk or regular milk can all be used for these oats.
Sweetener – For the sweetener, you can use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or whatever sweetener you want. Two teaspoons provide enough sweetness for us, but, again, add or subtract based on your own preference.
Nuts – Pecans and walnuts are our favorite for this particular oatmeal. I do used oven roasted nuts, but that’s just my preference.
If you enjoy these cranberry orange steel cuts, then you’ll also enjoy these delightful bowls of oats and fruit based breakfasts.
I had never had steel cut oats till I lived in Scotland, that was in the mid-80’s and I learned to love them. And it’s so much easier to find them in the US than it was when I moved back to Arizona from Aboyne!
Thanks for your comment Jeremy! Jealous of your having lived in Scotland. 🙂 Have never been there but have always thought that it would be a beautiful place to live. Steel cuts are pretty easy to find here from my experience, which is a good thing since we go through a lot of them. 🙂
What a wonderful idea to soak the oats before cooking and what lovely flavours you have used, MJ! Your Cranberry Orange Steel Cut Oats are a lovely way to start the day! Thank you for sharing them with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Sharing!
I have oatmeal almost every single morning with blueberries and cinnamon but have yet to try steel cut oats. Everyone always tells me they’re so much better but I never feel like I have the time to wait.
Someone had mentioned using my rice cooker and then I can put them in the night before and they’ll be waiting for me in the morning. Have you ever tried them in a rice cooker? I really should check that out.
Your recipe sounds so tasty. I love cranberry orange bread so I’m sure I’d love this..
Actually Vicki, I have not tried them in a rice cooker, but my BIL fixes them that way all of the time. Last time we visited he made them the last night before we left. The next morning we had a very tasty, hot bowl of steel cuts. It works great! You really should try them. I haven’t been able to eat regular oatmeal since. 🙂
I love cranberry orange bread, too, so I know this oatmeal would thrill my palate, too. And I second the brown sugar recommendation!
A great oatmeal for cranberry bread lovers. Thanks Liz!
Lovely hearty breakfast and cranberry and orange just rock together.
They do don’t they. 🙂 Thanks!
I am so ready for the day that I can leisurely brew a cup of tea, read the paper, and actually have a real breakfast like this (instead of running out the door with a travel mug of coffee and eating a protein bar when I can)…….Love the idea that this came from your favorite quick bread recipe.
It is certainly a great way to start the day. Hope that time comes for you and your hubby soon! I remember the days of just skipping breakfast and am glad to not have to do that anymore. 🙂 Thanks Debra!
The best way to start your day! A good, healthy breakfast is the key meal of the day!
Thanks Katerina!
I love oatmeal MJ! I have steel cut oats….I actually got them by accident one time and never used them because of the long cooking time. But now you’ve taught me what to do with them.I love orange and cranberry paired together! : )
Oh Anne, you really need to pull them from the pantry and give them a try. You’ll never make rolled oats again. 🙂 Thanks and you are doing well!
I nice breakfast to start the day, healthy and fibrous
Thanks Raymund!
We do not get steel cut oats here…any idea what can I substitute them with coz I want to try this delicious recipe.
Thank Taruna! I’m not exactly sure what you might substitute, however, it you can get rolled oats which are more common, you could flavor it the same way. If not, then maybe buckwheat oats? Now you have me very curious as to what else might work.
Ooh, love the idea of orange zest in this version MJ — I probably eat oatmeal 4 or more times a week for breakfast and cranberry is a frequent visitor (as is walnut) but I’m not sure why I’ve not gone that extra measure to add the orange since it really is a heavenly combination. I usually sweeten with banana slices these days but when I was growing up it was brown sugar + butter — oh yeah baby, porridge never tasted so good :D.
Thanks Kelly! You’ll be surprised how much the orange zest transforms oatmeal. A little dash of cardamom is also a nice addition.
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Love the classic combination of cranberry and orange.. so I know these oats would taste delicious. I am so making them for breakfast this week – a warming bowl of oats is perfect for the cool weather here in Australia now.
Thanks so much Thalia! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
What a creative way to use your beloved bread’s ingredients ! It looks gorgeous! I must say I practically never have a breakfast (I can hardly swallow a diet crips bread slice spread with fresh cheese maybe about two hours after I wake up… and it depends on how late I had my dinner too…) but I can very well imagine having these oats as an afternoon snack. By the way, I am a huge fan of almond milk. I have it every morning with my coffee (just a splash… not the latte style). I used to take soy milk before (I have stomach problems when I have coffee with cow milk) but almond milk tastes so much better, doesn’t it?
Thanks so much Sissi! Actually, one of the reasons this method works for me is that is takes me a while to be hungry in the morning as well. Sometimes I’ll go ahead and make them for Bobby, the eat mine an hour or two later. 🙂 I too tried soy milk for a while, but it got old. Now I use either organic brown rice milk or almond milk. The almond milk is great for cooking,baking and lattes. I drink rice milk like cow’s milk. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
My favourite thing to make in the kitchen!
One of my favorites. Grits is another. 🙂
This flies with me. I love the two flavors together. I eat oatmeal 4 to 5 times a week.
I haven’t done this version with it. Thanx for the idea.
Hope you give this combination a try Carol! It’s really good.
They now make quick steel cut oats. I love them for my overnight oat recipes.
http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/steel-cut-oats-quick-cook.aspx
I know the brand is not organic and some might argue that “quick oats” are more processed and less nutritious, but it’s still better than sugary cereals. I compared nutritional facts labels (regular steel cut oats vs. quick steel cut) and they really are not that different. Anyhow, the recipe sounds yummy!
I’ve never heard of quick steel cuts. Definitely will check them out. I wonder if the nutty texture is still there. Thanks for this information!
A great dish to kick start the day!
It sure is! Thanks Angie!
Very very healthy and delicious! Loved the combo flavours.
Thanks Minnie!
I adore the cranberry and orange combo of flavors, but have never had the inclination to add it to my morning oatmeal. Brilliant!
Thanks so much Judy! It does make a great tasting breakfast!
Cranberry and orange for breakfast is a big winner for me and really, anything with brown sugar on it gets the tick from me. 🙂
Thanks Maureen. Great flavors to wake up too. 🙂
feeling healthier just by reading this!!!
looks really healtilicious,,,,,
Almost to healthy to eat. 🙂 Thanks Dedy!
It’s been ages since I’ve had oatmeal! Don’t know why I got out of the habit — I used to have it everyday for breakfast. Probably time to get back into the habit. Steel cut oats are the best, although they do take just a bit of time to make, as you say. But we always take a walk of about an hour every morning — plenty of time for them to soak. 😉 Really nice combo of ingredients — this looks great. Thanks.
It’s interesting how we do develop habits around food and also how being a food blogger has changed some of those habits. Every once in a while Bobby will mentioned a dish that we used to eat all of the time and I haven’t cooked in ages. However, steel cuts is not one of them. We alternate a lot between grits and steel cuts. 🙂 Well, I think it’s time for you to make yourself a bowl of oatmeal John! Thanks for stopping by!
I love brown sugar too! I do love the combination of cranberries and orange. This is a wonderful start to the day xx
Thanks Charlie! For some reason, brown sugar just “works” with oatmeal. 🙂