Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipes for a Healthy, Hearty Start

Homemade bowl of oatmeal

Cooking oatmeal in a slow cooker allows you to set it to cook overnight, and then wake up in the morning to a hot and filling breakfast. It's the perfect way to have a delicious warm breakfast on busy weekday mornings.

Cooking Oatmeal in the Slow Cooker

When cooking oatmeal in the slow cooker, use steel cut oats instead of quick oats. Quick oats will not hold up well over the extended cooking time.

Basic Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 cups milk or almond milk
  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with the butter, coating it thinly to keep the oatmeal from sticking.
  2. Measure all ingredients in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  3. Cover the slow cooker and turn it on to low. Allow it to cook for eight hours.

Maple Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Makes 6 to 8 servings

maple brown sugar oatmeal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 7 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk or almond milk
  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Use the butter to lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker insert to keep the oatmeal from sticking as it cooks.
  2. Add the water, milk, oats, salt, syrup, and brown sugar and stir to combine.
  3. Cover and turn the slow cooker on to low. Allow it to cook for eight hours.
  4. Just before serving, stir in the pecans, if using.

Orange Cranberry Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Orange cranberry oatmeal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 7 cups water
  • 2 cups milk or almond milk
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of one orange
  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Grease the liner of a slow cooker with the butter so the oatmeal does not stick to the sides.
  2. Stir in all of the remaining ingredients.
  3. Cover and cook on low for eight hours.

Mexican Breakfast Oats

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Mexican Oats with black beans, avocado, fried egg

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • 7 cups water
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups steel cut oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 jar prepared salsa
  • 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained
  • 1 (14 ounce) can corn, drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro
  • 6 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease the liner of a slow cooker with olive oil to keep the oats from sticking.
  2. Add the water, chicken stock, oats, salt, salsa, black beans, and corn.
  3. Turn the slow cooker on low and cook, covered, for eight hours.
  4. Stir in the cilantro, scallions, and cheese, top with avocado if desired, and serve immediately.

A Hearty Breakfast

Eating oatmeal in the morning will get your day off to the right start. By having a warm and filling breakfast, you'll have the energy you need to get through the morning.

Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipes for a Healthy, Hearty Start