Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal
In short: Steel-cut oats cooked overnight with diced apples, cinnamon and maple syrup until creamy and chewy, ready when you wake up. It takes about 7 h 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 7 h 30 min
- Total
- 7 h 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Steel-cut oats make a better porridge than rolled oats, with a creamy base and a pleasant chew, but they usually take thirty minutes of stirring. The slow cooker cooks them overnight, so breakfast is ready when you wake. Diced apples soften into the oats and add natural sweetness, while cinnamon and maple syrup do the rest. The recipe makes four generous bowls, and leftovers reheat well during the week.
Instructions
- Grease the inside of the slow cooker generously with the butter, including up the sides. This stops the oats from sticking and scorching.
- Add the oats, water, milk, apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla and salt, and stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours overnight. Do not use the high setting, which can scorch the edges.
- In the morning, stir the oatmeal thoroughly, since some liquid may have separated. It should look creamy and the oats should be tender with a slight chew.
- Cover for 10 minutes to thicken, then spoon into bowls and top with nuts or yogurt.
Tips
- Use only steel-cut oats. Rolled oats turn to mush after this long in the pot.
- Add a handful of raisins, or swap the apples for pears or a mashed ripe banana.
Questions and answers
Can I cook steel-cut oats overnight in a slow cooker?
Yes, on low for 7 to 8 hours. Grease the pot well and use a ratio of one part oats to four parts liquid so they do not dry out.
How do I store leftover oatmeal?
Refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Reheat a portion in the microwave with a splash of milk or water to loosen it.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Use plant milk and coconut oil for greasing, and top with nuts or coconut yogurt.
How long does it take to make Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal?
About 7 h 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 7 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 170 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
