Protein Steel Cut Oats

Name: Protein Steel Cut Oats
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups soy milk; 1 cup water (plus more to thin); 1 cup steel-cut oats; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; ½ cup vanilla pea protein powder; 1 cup walnuts; ½ cup almond butter; 1 cup strawberries (chopped)

By Sarah Pilley · Updated Jul 24, 2026 · Published Feb 13, 2024

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Start your day right with thick, creamy protein steel cut oats. With the help of pea protein powder and soy milk this vegan gluten-free breakfast packs 31 grams of protein.

Protein steel cut oats in a bowl, topped with chopped strawberries, walnuts, chocolate chips, and almond butter.

There's just something about slowly cooking up these oats, especially on a lazy weekend morning. Steel cut oats are super creamy and comforting with warm vanilla and cinnamon flavor.

If I know that I have a busy week ahead, I like to prepare a large batch of this protein-packed oatmeal in advance. Not only does it reheat wonderfully, using pea protein makes it super easy to hit my protein goals.

My favorite thing about recipes like this oatmeal or high-protein chia pudding, is all the fun you can have with toppings. Depending on the season I'll add fresh strawberries, blueberries, or peaches. Plus, crunchy quinoa granola, walnuts, and almond butter are delicious year round.

Ingredient Notes

You will need these simple ingredients to make steel-cut oats with protein powder:

Ingredients needed to make protein steel cut oats with labels: soy milk, steel cut oats, water, pea protein, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

Steel cut oats are the name of the game! If you have old-fashioned oats, try making blended baked oatmeal or oatmeal pancakes.

Soy milk adds creaminess and an extra boost of protein. Pea milk, almond milk, or cashew milk are all great options as well.

I combine water with the milk to help shorten the cook time and prevents the oats from boiling over while they cook.

Vanilla protein powder gives these oats extra flavor, sweetness, and, of course, protein! You could also use another flavor you enjoy, like chocolate. I tested this recipe with pea protein powder.

Vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt give this oatmeal the best flavor. You can play around with other additions. Lately, I really love adding cardamom and turmeric.

The recipe card below includes the full list of ingredients + instructions.

How to Make Protein Steel Cut Oats

Bring soy milk and water to a gentle boil.

Stir in oats, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the protein powder and mix to combine with the oats.

Oats done cooking in pot, looking thick and creamy.

Continue simmering and adding water until the oats reach your desired consistency.

Bowl of protein oatmeal with lots of toppings.

Top with chopped strawberries, walnuts, and almond butter. I also like to add some chocolate chips.

Cooking Notes

This recipe combines (in my opinion) the best of both worlds, a slightly chewy oat, but a creamy overall consistency. To make softer oatmeal simmer for close to 30 minutes before adding the protein powder. Add more water as needed.

It's super easy to adjust the thickness of your oatmeal. Wait until after you've added the protein powder to thin out the oats with more milk or water.

To adjust the sweetness, add a touch of maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar. Stir it in at the same time as the protein powder.

Add More Protein

Before adding any toppings each serving of oatmeal has 20 grams of protein.

To get up to 31 grams, I add almond butter and walnuts. Use your favorite nuts or whatever you have on hand!

And don't worry, you can make this high-protein breakfast nut-free, too. A serving of hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds contain 19 grams of protein! Some other options are popped quinoa, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds.