Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
Imagine waking up to the cozy scent of apples and cinnamon in the morning and breakfast ready to go. That’s exactly what you get with these Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats! These creamy, delicious crockpot steel cut oats are complete with tender chunks of apple, the warm flavor of cinnamon and are the easiest meal prep breakfast!
**This recipe was originally published in October 2015. The photos have been updated, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
How often do you wake up to the cozy scent of apples and cinnamon? I’m thinking that the answer is never, and that my question has you intrigued.
The very possibility that breakfast is cooking while you sleep is almost a dream in itself. I think the only thing that would make it better is a pot of freshly brewed coffee as well.
That my friends is dreaming big. 🙂
Coffee aside, these Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats cook all night while you dream away, and the scent alone might make you get up before your alarm goes off.
I’m a huge fan of steel cut oats for their hearty, chewy texture and have made them numerous ways. The refrigerator does the work for my overnight steel cut oats as they absorb the liquid and soften overnight. They’re not as cozy as this recipe, however, even if I warm them up.
My pumpkin baked steel cut oatmeal and quinoa oatmeal recipes are both cozy and comforting, but they don’t cook all night while I sleep. Overnight steel cut oats in the crockpot are the clear cut winner!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Creamy, hearty steel cut oats are combined with tender chunks of apple and warm cinnamon spice for a breakfast that everyone will love.
- Your slow cooker does the work so you don’t have to! Simply prep the ingredients the night before and your breakfast cooks overnight while you sleep.
- Recipe is dairy and gluten-free, and includes only 5 ingredients.
Recipe ingredients
It doesn’t get better than apples and cinnamon, and these steel cut oats are reminiscent of apple pie! There are only 5 ingredients in this incredibly easy recipe, which can be customized any number of ways.
Ingredient notes
- Steel cut oats. These are made from whole oat groats, so they’re firmer and chewier in texture than rolled oats. Do not substitute the steel cut oats with quick cooking steel cut oats or rolled oats as they cook much more quickly.
- Apples. Use baking apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady in this recipe for best results as they hold their shape better. The apples will still be quite soft after 6-8 hours of cooking.
- Milk. Any type of dairy or non-dairy milk will work perfectly in this recipe.
- Maple syrup. I love maple syrup because it’s unrefined and has great flavor, but it may be substituted with your favorite sweetener.
- Cinnamon. Ground cinnamon is the perfect compliment to the apples, but change things up with your favorite spices such as cardamom or my homemade chai spice!
How to make this recipe
Once you make steel cut oats in the crockpot you may never make them any other way. It takes mere minutes to prep the night before, and it does the work for you while you sleep.
Pro tip: When you make these slow cooker steel cut oats the first time, I suggest that you make them during the day and monitor how long it takes for them to cook to the best consistency for you. The longer they cook, the crispier the edges get, and they can easily burn as well.
I’ve made these several times, and highly recommend the following:
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker generously with cooking spray to make clean-up easier
- Use a slow cooker with a timer if it takes less time for the oats to cook than it does for you to wake up
- If you prefer creamy oats with no crispy edges, you may want to line the inside of the slow cooker with a liner or foil. The oats come out perfectly creamy this way!
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker generously with cooking spray. Place the diced apples in the bottom.
- Place the oats, milk, water, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the oat mixture over the the apples.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 6-8 hours* or until the oats are cooked and the majority of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Serve with additional milk if desired, and top with additional apples, cinnamon or your favorite toppings.
FAQs
Steel cut oats are groats, which are the inner kernel of whole oats minus the outer hull. They are cut into 2-3 pieces, which is why they are referred to as steel-cut.
Rolled oats cook much more quickly than steel cut oats and require less liquid, so they can’t be used interchangeably.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Cooking times will vary depending on your slow cooker. It’s best to cook the oats for the first time during the day so you know exactly how long it takes to get the perfect consistency for you. The oats get very crispy around the edges the longer they cook, and can even burn. Having a slow cooker with a timer is ideal if you sleep longer than the oats take to cook!
- Cooking spray is a must as the oats stick to the sides of the slow cooker, making clean-up a chore. You can also use a slow cooker liner or foil.
- This recipe makes enough for leftovers, which I store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave or pan on the stovetop with the milk of your choice.
More oatmeal recipes you’ll love:
- Baked oatmeal cups
- Blueberry baked oatmeal
- How to make oatmeal by Fit Foodie Finds
- Peanut butter granola
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
If you try this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below or tag me at @flavorthemoments on Instagram!
Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples cored, peeled, and cut into 1″ cubes (I like to use the Granny Smith and Pink Lady varieties)
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 2 cups almond milk or your favorite dairy or non dairy milk
- 2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or substitute with brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Equipment
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker generously with cooking spray. Place the diced apples in the bottom.
- Place the oats, milk, water, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the oat mixture over the the apples.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 6-8 hours* or until the oats are cooked and the majority of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Serve with additional milk if desired, and top with additional apples, cinnamon or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- *Cooking times will vary depending on your slow cooker. It’s best to cook the oats for the first time during the day so you know exactly how long it takes to get the perfect consistency for you. The oats get very crispy around the edges the longer they cook, and can even burn. Having a slow cooker with a timer is ideal if you sleep longer than the oats take to cook!
- Cooking spray is a must as the oats stick to the sides of the slow cooker, making clean-up a chore. You can also use a slow cooker liner or foil.
- This recipe makes enough for leftovers, which I store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave or pan on the stovetop with the milk of your choice.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
54 Comments on “Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats”
I’m really hoping the Cubs will win the third game of the series, but if not, we made it a lot farther than people expected! 🙂 This steel cut oatmeal looks delicious, Marcie! I’ve never made a steel cut version before, so I’m loving that you made it in the slow cooker. I bet this made your house smell amazing!
Good luck to the Cubs! I think that would be really neat if they won. 🙂 These oats are just so easy and the smell really is the best — thanks, Gayle!
I’m totally down with breakfast cooking itself away in the crockpot! Especially when it’s loaded with all those gorgeous apples! Love this, Marcie! I think I need a second breakfast now. 😉
Slow cooker breakfasts are perfect for lazy morning people like me! Thanks, Sarah, and I hope you get that second breakfast. 🙂
I really need to stop eating packets of oat meal and go for this warm and delicious method! Thanks for the reminder that homemade is just a few simple steps away…Love it!
Haha — it’s very easy to just grab a packet, isn’t it? 🙂 This is even easier, though, so I hope you try it, Annie!
I couldn’t agree more, this oatmeal is definitely worth waking up for! I love that you made this in the slow cooker! Plus the flavors of fresh apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon? YESSS! I swoon! Cheers, my dear!
These make me want to jump out of bed in the morning! Thanks, Cheyanne! 🙂
Sorry to hear about your team Marcie!! But this would definitely cheer me up for breakfast! I really need to make oatmeal in my slow cooker … I don’t know why I don’t! I love oatmeal as the weather starts to cool down and this is such a perfect fall flavor!
Thanks, Ashley! I was so bummed when the Dodgers lost, but at least I had plenty of oatmeal to cheer me up! 🙂
Oooh this looks so comforting and delicious, Marcie! Love starting my morning with oatmeal and anytime I can have apple pie for breakfast is always a winner 🙂 Yay for making this in the slow cooker too!
Thanks, Kelly! I love that the slow cooker does all the work! 🙂
I love all your slow cooker recipes, and this one is no exception. This Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal looks so creamy, comfy and delicious. I can have this fro breakfast every morning.
I could certainly have this for breakfast every morning too. Thank you, Anu! 🙂
This looks awesome! Loving how comforting and autumn-y this is!
Thank you, Medha!
What a great breakfast to wake up to in the morning! Yum!
Thank you, Laura! 🙂
I love slow cooker oatmeal recipes and the apple cinnamon sounds so good! What a wonderful fall breakfast!
Thank you, Christin! 🙂
Overnight breakfasts are pretty much the best invention ever! Love this apple and cinnamon combo!
Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
Dear Marcie, I always enjoy a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning and this sounds perfect. I also always slice up an apple so great minds think alike. This recipe was meant for me. Love it! xo, Catherine
I will need to slice some fresh apple on top next time for even more texture. Great idea, Catherine! 🙂
I would love waking up to this oatmeal! Overnight breakfasts are the best!
They really are the best! Thank you, Jessica!
I normally only think dinner items when it comes to slow cookers, so this was a nice change! Thank you, Dani! 🙂
My kiddos really enjoy oatmeal when the weather starts getting cooler – and I love how easy it is! 🙂
Thanks, Jamie!
Yes! This is exactly the type of breakfast that I love to eat!
Thanks, Nancy!
Yes! These…in a slow cooker….genius!
Thanks! It’s the perfect breakfast! 🙂
This looks like the perfect breakfast. Filling, flavorful, delicious. Yum! And your photos are beautiful.
Can this recipe be doubled? Thanks
As long as your slow cooker is large enough I’m sure it can!
12/3/20 This is SO good, day 2, day 3, still very moist (stored in an air tight container in the fridge). Such a time saver. I added a banana & 1T of peanut butter when serving, so good, keeps me fill for the morning. Thank you.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this recipe Faye, and the peanut butter and banana sound like a great way to serve the oatmeal!
The serving size says 1, but not how much of 1. Is it 1 cup, 1/2 cup etc.
It means 1/6 of the amount, which is equivalent to roughly 1/3 cup.
Any problem if one omits peeling the apples?
Leaving the apples unpeeled would be fine I’m sure!
This is delicious …it serves as my breakfast or lunch.
Glad you like it Robin!
This is so good! Thank you for the easy recipe for a healthy breakfast.
You’re welcome and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I mostly use my slow cooker for oatmeal like this, and this easy recipe did not disappoint!
Glad you liked it!
This was so good! I didn’t peel the apples and it worked out fine. I also used monkfruit sweetener instead of the sugar. Couldn’t have turned out better! Will definitely save this recipe for the future. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your feedback Daisy and I’m glad you enjoyed the oats!
I liked how the recipe came out, however I would do 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead of one tablespoon. It came out brown and tasted mainly to cinnamon . Thanks for the recipe though.
Thank you for your feedback Nicole!
This recipe looks great. I tried doing steel cut overnight oats but they didn’t soften up. I have a four quart crockpot. Can I use this recipe in that? Thanks
Interesting…did you add enough liquid or leave them in the fridge long enough? And yes, the 4 quart crockpot should be large enough. I did mine in a 6 quart size and there was plenty of room to spare.