Slow Cooker Oatmeal couldn’t be easier to make. You can even make it the night before! It’s healthy, delicious and can be topped with anything you love!
I’ve been making Slow Cooker Oatmeal for as long as I can remember now. It’s one of the recipes everyone in the family can agree on in the morning. Plus, it’s inexpensive and can be doctored up any way you like it. We top ours with everything from hemp seeds, to berries, sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, maple syrup, honey and more.
As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, I have a growing desire to make warm, hearty foods for breakfast. To me, a hot bowl of oatmeal before heading off to school on a chilly morning gives kids a sense of comfort — not to mention enough energy to carry them through to lunch.
How to Make Slow Cooker Oatmeal
This recipe is about as easy as 1, 2, 3 and basically cooks itself. Here’s how to make it:
- Place 1 cup steel cut oats, 2 cups water, 2 1/2 cups milk and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in your slow cooker.
- Cook the oatmeal on low heat for 2-6 hours. The amount of time can vary depending on your slow cooker. Some that don’t have non stick surfaces can get hotter then others.
- Stir in your desired toppings and serve!
Got a Rice Cooker?
Don’t have a slow cooker? You can make this recipe in your rice cooker on the porridge setting. Super duper easy!
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Coconut Cream Baked Oatmeal
- Refrigerator Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal in the Crock Pot
- DIY: Oatmeal Buffet
I’ve now made this recipe five days in a row now, so there must be something about it that’s working! Let me know what toppings you always add to your oatmeal and tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe!
Slow Cooker Oatmeal
Instructions
- Place the first 4 ingredients in a crock pot and stir to combine.
- Cook the oatmeal on low heat for 2-6 hours (the amount of time can vary depending on your crock pot. Some crock pots that don’t have non stick surfaces can get hotter then others). Oatmeal will stay warm overnight.
- Stir in desired accompaniments and serve.
Video
Notes
- I like to let the kids squeeze in their own honey to get them involved.
- Swirl in a bit of extra milk to cool it down for kids.
- Optional ingredients: berries, fresh or frozen fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spices or other toppings you enjoy.
- Don’t have a crock pot/slow cooker? You can make it the same way using a rice cooker on the porridge setting.
I now make this 1-2 times per week and my 21 month old son and I eat it for breakfast at least 3 days a week. My new favorite thing to do with it is add a little vanilla and chop up and apple or two and cook that with the oatmeal…tastes just like apple cinn. oatmeal in the packets without all of the sugar! LOVE it and SO easy. I do also get a ring around my crock pot of ‘caked on’ oatmeal…not sure if there is a solution to this. I usually just scrape that part off (throw it away) and let the inside dish of the crockpot soak while at work and then clean it when I get home. Kind of a pain, but the recipe is worth it (and I always make extra for the next day or two:).
Followed the recipe exactly and as many others enjoyed it very much but not the burnt on oatmeal that was awful to remove. I tried it again on warm for 8 hours then turned it on high for 11/2 hours, it still burned and was crunchy not smooth the way we like it. Too bad. I will have to try the Pyrex suggestion. Other than the burning, great recipe but almost not worth the cleanup.
Could I do this in a pot with quick cooking oats?
Your crock pot is probably too big for the recipe. To work best, your crock pot should be 2/3 to 3/4 full. If you use a larger crock pot, the recipe will cook much more quickly – probably what happened to you.
I just made this and when I took the lid off to serve it this morning there was a thick skin on top. It made for an undesirable texture and because I only made 4-6 servings there wasn’t much underneath the skin… Did I do something wrong? I only had it running for about 7.5 hours on low.
I’m not sure if you can find the original post of this recipe some how, it had a HUGE thread on burning issues, milk spoilage issues, etc. I actually was trying to find it myself. If I remember right, since the milk is cooking and is staying warm, it isn’t a problem, much like if you were using milk in a bechamel recipe or anyother slowcooker recipe. We made it before with no issues.
Still haven’t seen anyone respond about the possible spoilage of the milk in this recipe. I would love to try this, but would like some insight on this issue first. Thanks!
Your 9 month old should be able to have dairy if it’d in something such as oatmeal. I’d say make it like the recipe says and let your kids try it. I’m making this tomorrow for me and my 14 month old 🙂
I’m sorry if someone already asked about this, but I would like to make this so that my 9 month olds can have it too. Have you tried it with just water instead of milk? Would it taste good to the rest of us too?
Wonderful… My family loves waking up to warm oatmeal. Thanks for the instructions.
[…] Mornings. Waking up to a hot breakfast will almost make mornings bearable… almost. How about oatmeal, bacon & eggs or even this Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole… yum! […]
I first soaked the oats in water and 1-2 tbsp yogurt to break down the phytates (all grains need proper preparation for digestibility and removal of antinutrients that rob us of minerals). After rinsing, I warmed them in milk and my kids (7,5,3) have never asked for seconds until now. Amazing!
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[…] found this recipe a while back via Weelicious. Click here to take a look – she even has a fabulous little video to watch if you need visuals. […]
This is fantastic! I love sugar-free recipes, especially when they use whole grains. You’re site is awesome.
I am soooo taking out the crockpot and making this tonight!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
My boyfriend is working another overnight shift and our little 10 month old boy loooves oatmeal cereal.
I ADORE my crock pot!!! I’ve been using it long before William was born, but have been using it much more often with him now.
Cheers
Andrea