Delicious Oats Kheer also known as Oats Payasam is made with healthy steel-cut oats in the Instant Pot, but it tastes just like kheer. This quick and easy oats kheer is flavored with cardamom, saffron, ghee, and nuts. A perfect way to start your day!
★★★★★
"After seeing Nisha’s post on Insta, I made this oats kheer right away. It’s a perfect bowl of warm hugs in the rainy weather we’ve been having in NJ. So healthy, easy, and yummy. I sneaked extra nuts in mine. Def recommend it."
- Payal
I am an Oatmeal Lover and it's a staple for breakfast. As the seasons change, I love changing the flavors of my oatmeal.
Many of you have DM'd me on Instagram requesting my Instant Pot oatmeal recipe that's made with steel-cut oats so sharing with you my favorite way to enjoy oatmeal - in kheer form.
More Oats Recipes
Love overnight oats? Then try this quick & easy vegan Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats. Want oatmeal leftovers - try this Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal or Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal. For some fall muffins, try these Pumpkin Oat Muffins loaded with nutrition.
Table of Contents
What is Oats Kheer?
Kheer also known as Rice Kheer is an Indian rice pudding that's made with ghee, milk, rice, nuts, and raisins, along with flavors such as cardamom powder, saffron, or rose water.
Kheer is one of the most popular Indian Desserts during the Diwali season so this is the perfect time to share my Oats Kheer or Oats Payasam recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like kheer - seriously!
- A healthy way to enjoy kheer.
- Made with basic ingredients in your pantry.
- A delicious & cozy breakfast for the fall & winter months.
- Refined sugar-free - this recipe calls for coconut sugar.
- It's naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients
- Steel-Cut Oats - I highly recommend using steel-cut oats because it tastes delicious and I love the texture of it in this recipe. Feel free to use old-fashioned oats if you wish, however do not use quick oats or instant oats as they turn mushy very fast.
- Whole Milk - For this recipe, use whole milk. You'll need ½ cup to cook the oats and another ½ cup after the oats are cooked.
Alternatively, reduced-fat 2% milk would be great too. Low-fat 1% and skim milk are great options too, however the texture won't be as creamy. - Nuts - I love the classics - cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Just make sure you chop the nuts.
- Ghee - You'll need a ½ tablespoon of ghee which adds a rich taste. Feel free to use butter instead, however butter doesn't have that nutty flavor that ghee has.
- Coconut Sugar - For a healthier refined sugar-free option, I love using coconut sugar instead of plain sugar and it tastes great too. I only used 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar because you really don't need that much, feel free to adjust to your taste buds. Additionally, brown sugar will work too.
- Desi Flavors - A pinch of saffron strands (kesar) and a touch of cardamom powder (or crushed green cardamoms) are all you need for that Desi touch.
- Water - You'll need some water to cook the oats along with some milk.
*See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.*
Substitutions
- Whole Milk - For a dairy option, you may substitute regular milk for reduced-fat 2% milk, but I would avoid low-fat 1% milk and skim milk.
- Vegan - For a vegan option, use nondairy milk such as unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. Instead of ghee, use vegan ghee.
- Nuts - If allergic to nuts or don't want to add them in, skip the nuts.
- Steel-Cut Oats - This recipe is amazing with steel-cut oats, however you can substitute old-fashioned oats and cook for 2 minutes in the Instant Pot and let the pressure naturally release.
- Dry Fruits - If you love raisins, add golden raisins or even dried cranberries.
- Healthier Additions - Feel free to add chia seeds or ground flax seeds to this oats kheer.
How to Make Oats Kheer Recipe
1. In an Instant Pot - press SAUTE. Once hot, add ghee. (Image 1)
2. Heat ghee. Once the ghee melts, add steel-cut oats. (Image 2)
3. Saute for a minute or two until toasty and you can smell the nutty aroma of the ghee and oats. (Image 3)
4. Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot. Add water and ½ cup of milk at this time. Stir. (Image 4)
5. Add coconut sugar. Stir. (Image 5)
6. Cover and close the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes and let the oats naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a manual pressure release. (Image 6)
7. Once done, this is what you should have. (Image 7)
8. Add another ½ cup of milk to your oats. (Image 8)
9. Stir and cook for a minute until the milk warms up. (Image 9)
10. Now add cardamom powder, a pinch of saffron (kesar), and your chopped almonds, pistachios, and cashews. (Image 10)
11. Give it another stir. (Image 11)
12. After a minute, the milk will start to bubble. Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot. (Image 12)
13. Cover the pot with a lid for a couple of minutes for the oats to thicken up slightly. (Image 13)
14. Garnish with additional nuts and a few strands of saffron. Enjoy hot! (Image 14)
Expert Tips
✓ Milk - Add ½ cup of milk once the oats are done cooking and just heat up for a minute. If you prefer less runny oatmeal, cook the oatmeal longer. Feel free to add more milk for your desired consistency.
✓ Cover Oats Kheer - Once you add the nuts and flavors. Cook for a minute, press CANCEL on the Instant Pot, and cover with a lid. The oats will thicken up slightly.
Serving Suggestions
→ Garnish with additional nuts - almonds, cashew nuts, or pistachios.
→ Enjoy with a side of berries.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. This recipe is completely gluten-free.
No. For a vegan option use vegan ghee and nondairy milk. See notes below.
Start with a ¼ teaspoon of rose water, and up to ½ a teaspoon. The flavor can be overpowering so add a little at a time.
Store the oats kheer in an air-tight container and it'll last in the fridge for up to two days.
Tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment & rate this recipe. That would mean so much to me. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I'm happy to share and mention you. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Oats Kheer (Oats Payasam with Steel Cut Oats)
Equipment
Ingredients
Before high pressure
- ½ tablespoon ghee, solid
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
After high pressure
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- pinch of saffron
- 1 tablespoon pistachios, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cashews, chopped
- 1 tablespoon almonds, chopped
Instructions
- In an Instant Pot - press SAUTE. Once hot, add ghee.
- Heat ghee. Once the ghee melts, add steel-cut oats.
- Saute for a minute or two until toasty and you can smell the nutty aroma of the ghee and oats.
- Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot. Add water and ½ cup of milk at this time. Stir.
- Add coconut sugar. Stir.
- Cover and close the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes and let the oats naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a manual pressure release.
- Once done, this is what you should have.
- Add another ½ cup of milk to your oats.
- Stir and cook for a minute until the milk warms up.
- Now add cardamom powder, a pinch of saffron (kesar), and your chopped almonds, pistachios, and cashews.
- Give it another stir.
- After a minute, the milk will start to bubble. Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot.
- Cover the pot with a lid for a couple of minutes for the oats to thicken up slightly.
- Garnish with additional nuts and a few strands of saffron. Enjoy hot!
Notes
- Whole Milk - For a dairy option, you may substitute regular milk for reduced-fat 2% milk, but I would avoid low-fat 1% milk and skim milk.
- Vegan - For a vegan option, use nondairy milk such as unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. Instead of ghee, use vegan ghee.
- Nuts - If allergic to nuts or don't want to add them in, skip the nuts.
- Steel-Cut Oats - This recipe is amazing with steel-cut oats, however you can substitute old-fashioned oats and cook for 2 minutes in the Instant Pot and let the pressure naturally release.
- Dry Fruits - If you love raisins, add golden raisins or even dried cranberries.
- Healthier Additions - Feel free to add chia seeds or ground flax seeds to this oats kheer.
- Add Milk to Cooked Oats - Add ½ cup of milk once the oats are done cooking and just heat up for a minute. If you prefer less runny oatmeal, cook the oatmeal longer. Feel free to add more milk for your desired consistency.
- Cover Oats Kheer - Once you add the nuts and flavors. Cook for a minute, press CANCEL on the Instant Pot, and cover with a lid. The oats will thicken up slightly.
vishva says
I tried this recipe. OMG it tastes soooo good. To me it’s taste like mix of kheer and faada ni lapsi but with less efforts. I make it at least three time a week or whenever I crave sweet. Thank you for such and easy yet yummy recipe.
Aparna says
This was DELICIOUS and so easy to make. My kids loved it. I added raisins. Seriously so good. I don’t usually like oatmeal but this might change my mind.
Manju says
Hi Nisha
How are you ? Made the oats kheer today for breakfast and it turned out so yum and tasty.I used skim milk and organic jaggery since I didn’t hv coconut sugar.It’s definitely once a week on my breakfast list .Thank you for putting up these amazing recipes.
Payal says
After seeing Nisha’s post on insta, I made this pay kheer right away. It’s a perfect bowl of warm
Hug in the rainy weather we’ve been having in NJ. So healthy, easy and yummy. I sneaked extra nuts in mine. Def recommend it.
Jhiane says
He's worth the move to sunny California. No more winters yeah . He's a great man and you're in a strong , healthy and positive relationship so embrace all the beauty in California . You can always visit family . By the way , I love this oatmeal recipe . I love the combination of peanut butter and banana can't wait to make it .
honeywhatscooking says
Haha.. but I like winters mama, but yes, he is worth the move. I appreciate the words of wisdom and thank you for being an amazing friend to me. Oh, hope you try this oatmeal recipe. 🙂 xoxo
Caras Kitchen says
GIRL! grinding up oats in a coffee grinder to cut cooking to 10 minutes is GENUIS! Regarding the realtionship and moving... Thats a hard choice, SO CAL is amazing AND leaving behind friends, family and NYC has to be hard. I wish you the best of luck with what ever you choose.
honeywhatscooking says
Yes, thanks Cara. It really cuts down the time and the oats are so much creamier. Yes, it's a very hard choice.. SoCal vs. NYC... it's definitely not easy leaving an amazing city like NYC, and to choose between family/friends vs. a love. Thank you, need all the luck. 🙂
Asha says
Hey hey hey girl!!!!
First of all, congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you, love is a special thing and doing things for the ones we love is even more special. Do what your heart tell, like Sashi said, for the one you love, why not?!!
I completely understand your situation and it is hard but you get used to your new life, new things to look forward to.
I moved here after my marraige and I still wonder how I left my home town, now this is home away from home. Now as my teen gets ready for college in a year, I wonder if I would move for him, I just might. All for love.
All the best darling girl, my wishes are always with you.
And this oats, yum!!!!xo
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Asha.. it is such a special thing. I know you made the move from Bangalore which was probably 10 times more difficult. It's so crazy how we learn to adjust to new surroundings and people. Haha.. well California has tons of good schools so hopefully your son won't drift off too far, he shouldn't when his mom is an amazing cook. If I do make the move, I hope to meet you some day in Cali - North or South. Thank you for the advice and love. <3
Shashi at Savory Spin says
Hey Nisha, so, so happy you have found love!
A little while after my divorce I met an amazing guy, we were on the same wave length when I came to a lot of things... but I was an imbecile and when talk turned to us settling down together, I broke it off...and we went our separate ways. I kinda gave up on the whole love thing then. We got back in touch recently and when my daughter and I were in Portland (where he is now) we met him and I regret my younger imbecile-selves ways terribly... so guess am saying, for the real deal, for the right chap, moving is something I would do in a heartbeat. I wish you well, my Insta friend!
Now these oats look delicious- grinding the steel cut oats is such a brilliant idea! Can't wait to try it soon! Xo
munzi says
It makes me sad to read it. If you are single and if he is too, talk to him please. Don't think a lot. Just talk and see.
I don't know you. But it takes so much courage to open up in a public platform. You girls are helping many others by being open and telling about your misjudgments. You girls deserve every bit of blessings!
honeywhatscooking says
Shashi.. so you're story had the most profound impact on me. I was so sad reading this, and then a smile came over me as I was half way through. I'm glad you visited Portland. I've heard people stories who were in my situation and made the move, but your story was different because you didn't make the move. I can't thank you enough for sharing this story because I'm sure it was hard to do and so private. You have no idea how great of an impact this had on me so thank you for that. I would give you a big hug if I could. Thank you! <3
Sonali says
Lol..."my friend"...I knew it!! His smile was so adorable anytime you had him on your insta story & I loved his sense of humor. Seems like a great guy!
This is definitely a big decision but end of the day "home is where the heart is". So don't worry about where you are "living" because home will always be right within you. Just listen to your gut and see what it says.
Love is a risk but the only way to truly experience it & know (for sure) if you found the right one is by moving forward. You deserve so much more & you are a tough cookie. You totally got this Nisha!
honeywhatscooking says
Hey Sonali! Ahhh... so you saw that story... lol. Yes, he has an adorable smile, and is very genuine. Yeah, this time around I am listening to my gut, I'm looking for red flags all the time (even when they're not there)... life will do that to you. Thank you for your advice and I will definitely listen to my gut. 🙂
Shumaila says
Oh my, this is such exciting news. Well moving to any new place is difficult, and that to if the move is from a city like New York. But moving also means newer opportunities, newer experiences, newer perspectives. You can build a place you call home anywhere, if you want to. It might be the best thing that happens to you, but you will only know if you do it. All the best and enjoy the change. Life is too short to not experiment and explore.
The steel cut oats do look really creamy!
honeywhatscooking says
Thank you Shumalia. It makes it quite hard not just family and friends, but NYC, my lifestyle is completely different because I walk everywhere and don't use the car at all. You're right tho, every opportunity helps you grow and you experience new things in life. And yes, life is too short. Thank you for reading and your input. Greatly appreciate it. 🙂
Munzi says
I have never been to NYC. But learnt about the city from movies as most movies were based on NYC and the skyline is one of my fav place. I could just look at the pic for hours! So I know it would be hard for you to leave.
I was born in one country, did primary schooling in another country, went back to home country and finished my high school there. Now in another country for UG & PG. Even back in my home country, we moved places. Every time, when we leave a place, I cry like my life was ending - leaving old friends when you were just started to hit it off, sucks! But someone how I kept getting better experience!
Meeting new people is one of the greatest experience. Perhaps that is the reason, I could connect to different people! I could understand them. Could connect to them in different levels. It just makes me happy. If people ask me where am I from, I swear I do not know if to say I am a SLn / INn / MSn.
I carry some traits from all the countries I lived in. I call all 3 countries my home. I mean it wholeheartedly. You will start to like the new place. Who knows, you may complaint about NYrs one day - as they are rude people! Haha.
I am not saying this to sound polite. He seems genuine. I played that video a few times in big screen & analysed his gestures & body language. He really seems genuine. We cant predict the future. Give it a shot. If it works, it works. If it does not, you have your NYCity to fall back. Though some places in NY may remind you, your past.
I know, it is always the girls, who have to move their jobs for men. Which I find unfair. But for you, moving away from NY would help to stay away from some of your bad memories too. For me, if I argue with someone or if something unpleasant happened, I wont wear the clothes or eat the food -I was wearing / eating at that moment, again! I know, tad bit dramatic. So I would have moved from NY even if it is not for the friend! You were there, and survived. That shows you will be alright in Cal too!
You know what is best for you. If he is the guy, do not hang on to NY. You can always go there. Or if the tickets are not expensive, I am sure you can travel often to Cal. Once of my lecturer, travels every month to Europe from Asia to be with his wife for a few days! They both did not want to move jobs. They found a way to carry on with their lives. It is tiring but I still wonder how they worked it out. I had a friend in USA, flies up and down two hrs for work, every day! She worked for an airline, so she does not have to pay. But she flew every day. She moved jobs later but she did not like it. She again joined the airline company. Even if it takes up so much time to travel. Those two couples amaze me.
Hope all goes well.
Loads of Love
- Em
honeywhatscooking says
HI Em. Thank you for saying this, and for watching my stories. Truly means a lot to me. Haha.. yes New Yorkers can be rude, but of course, I'll still defend that statement and say at least they're not fake. 🙂 Yes, he truly is a nice guy and a genuine person. And you're right, I can always visit, it's a 4.5 hour flight back to NYC. Thank you. 🙂
Kamana@SocialandStyle. says
Hi Love! Congratulations on the exciting news. I was in your same boat and can totally relate. I moved to Sonoma after getting married from D.C. - the city I was born and raised in and love with all my heart. In the end, it was the best decision I ever made. While I miss my family, friends, and home so much - I am learning to Trust in God's plan and where God takes me. The move to Singapore was even tougher but I have learned so much during this transition.
Trust your heart and God and everything will follow <3
honeywhatscooking says
Hi Kamana. Thank you for writing this. I know you've been through a similar situation so I really value your opinion, you're one step ahead of me too. 🙂 Your move was very brave. I think the key is to trust in God's plan, just like you said. When things are right, you have to just trust God. You're so right. Thank you! <3