Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal

Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal is ready when you wake up!  Just 2 ingredients, and 1 of them is water! Throw it in the crockpot before you go to bed, it slow cooks overnight, making breakfast easy and healthy!  Just add your favorite toppings, berries, a sprinkle of brown sugar, a scoop of yogurt or applesauce and Homemade Almond Granola!

Why We Love It!

• Weekday Breakfast Staple! - Once or twice a week, especially when I know it's going to be a hectic morning, I make overnight crockpot steel cut oatmeal, protein-rich, hearty, healthy and family friendly! Creamy and delicious and ready when you wake up, this is by far my easiest breakfast ever! 

• Easy! - Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal is only 2 ingredients and takes under a minute to make! Before you go to bed, put 1 cup of Steel Cut Oats and 6 cups of water in a crockpot on LOW.  Ready in the morning!! 

• It's that Simple!  You don't even need to stir it.  In the morning it will be creamy and delicious, give it a good stir, and it's ready for toppings!  Make sure you are using steel cut oats and not regular rolled oats or quick oats. 

• If you love a good hearty breakfast, also try my Homemade Instant Oatmeal, a Power Breakfast Quinoa Bowl or these Protein Pancakes!

Ingredients & Topping Ideas

• Steel Cut Oats - I like to buy organic steel cut oats from the bulk bin at the grocery store. This overnight oatmeal is high in protein for a healthy filling breakfast!

• Water - Use 6 cups of water to 1 cup of oats for the perfect thick and creamy ratio.

• Toppings - A crockpot full of oatmeal is an unflavored blank canvas.  I like to set our favorite toppings out and let everyone make their own.  The kids can pick what they like and it's perfect if your family members aren't all eating at the same time.  We top ours with fresh or frozen berries, a scoop of plain yogurt, a scoop of homemade applesauce, Homemade Almond Granola, raisins, or nuts.  If you like it sweeter, add a sprinkle of brown sugar (have you tried Homemade Brown Sugar?), a dash of cinnamon, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.  Maple Pecan Applesauce Granola gives it extra sweetness too.  Frozen berries work great, they melt right in, and other fruits like chopped kiwi, peaches or pomegranate seeds make colorful variations.     

Instructions

Step 1 - Add 1 cup of steel cut oats and 6 cups of water to a slow cooker, before going to bed.

Cook on LOW until morning, about 8 hours.

Step 2 - Add your favorite oatmeal toppings!

Recipe Tips

• Crockpot Size - This recipe fits nicely in a smaller 3 quart crockpot. I have made this recipe in both my crockpots. A larger slow cooker will also work, but since the oatmeal is more spread out, it can overcook around the edges a bit. My larger crockpot seems to run pretty hot, so I use the warm setting instead of low. A smaller round crockpot is best, but experiment with what you have!

• It Seems Like a Lot of Water - Just 1 cup of oatmeal to 6 cups of water seems like way too much water. It's not! The oatmeal expands and plumps up so much into the perfect creamy consistency!

• Servings - This overnight crockpot oatmeal recipe makes about 4 servings.  For our family that means, mom and dad, and two little kids who eat more toppings than oatmeal, and some leftover. 

• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk to loosen it up, stopping to mix every 30 seconds.  The leftovers usually feed one or two adults the next day.  You can adjust the quantities for your family size. 

• Slow Cooker Apple Oatmeal - This basic crockpot oatmeal recipe can be flavored as it cooks too! Try adding 1 chopped apple and a teaspoon of cinnamon when starting your overnight oatmeal. Protein-rich plus an extra serving of fruit, it's the perfect healthy breakfast! All our breakfasts, including oatmeal go great with a Smoothie!

If you made this recipe, I'd love to hear how you liked it!  Be sure to leave a star rating by clicking the stars in the recipe card, or leave a comment below!

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