Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal

5 from 2 votes

You can make this overnight Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal and enjoy it for breakfast the following day—or make a whole batch ahead to eat throughout the week. (*To do this overnight, choose the LOW option and cook time.)

Prep Time10

Cook Time7

Total Time7 10

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: -8

Calories: 220kcal

Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

1½ cups steel cut oats
4 cups water
2 cups milk (dairy or nondairy)
1 cup chopped apple (about 1 medium)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
Chopped walnuts, cashews, nut butter, yogurt, and/or milk to top as desired (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Coat the bowl of the slow cooker with nonstick spray or rub with butter.
Stir together all ingredients except the applesauce and optional toppings into a 4-5 quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for about 3-4 hours. (It's okay if the oatmeal sits on warm for a bit.)
Remove cover and stir.
Add optional ingredients as desired and serve warm.

Notes

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, adding milk or water to thin as needed. Add a little water or milk when you heat up the oatmeal and stir to create the desired consistency.
Use any apple you like such as Pink Lady, Jonathan, Cortland, or Granny Smith.
Use unsweetened applesauce and unsweetened nondairy milk if your baby is under 1.
If there appears to be any separation after you take the lid off of the slow cooker, stir the oatmeal well and it should resolve the issue.
To make this on the stovetop: Add 5 cups of water to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add the oats, reduce to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped apple, cinnamon, and vanilla, and simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until soft. Stir in a little applesauce and milk as desired to flavor. Stir often while cooking as the oats can stick to the bottom of the pan if you don't stir regularly.
Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free steel cut oats.
Stir leftover cold oatmeal into plain whole milk yogurt for another baby or toddler (or mama!) breakfast or snack.

Nutrition