This Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe is a warm, cozy breakfast absolutely perfect for those busy mornings! Just pop everything in the slow cooker the night before, and breakfast will be ready when you get up. It’s such a comforting breakfast you can enjoy any time of the year, but it’s especially nice on those frosty mornings! {Gluten-free & vegan-friendly}
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DIY Crockpot Apple Oatmeal
Crockpot apple cinnamon oatmeal is such a great option for a hearty breakfast! It’s loaded with both insoluble and soluble fiber, which can really stick with you for quite a while.
This easy slow cooker oatmeal recipe uses steel-cut oats, which are a less-processed version of oat groats. They cook down into the most wonderfully creamy oatmeal that tastes amazing with warm cinnamon and apple!
With all the cozy flavors, you’ll want to make this easy crockpot apple pie oatmeal at least once per week!
If you’re like me and love your morning bowl of oats, you’ll also want to check out this Macro-Friendly Oatmeal and Creamy Oatmeal with Almond Milk!
Why We Love This Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
- Seriously easy to make: This recipe requires such minimal effort. Just add all of the ingredients to the bowl of your slow cooker the night before, then let the mixture cook slowly for up to 8 hours. When you wake up the next day, it’ll be ready to go. It’s one of my favorite easy breakfast recipes ever!
- Warm and cozy: Who doesn’t love the classic flavors of cinnamon and apple? This healthy apple cinnamon oatmeal will make the whole house smell amazing!
- Healthy breakfast: Believe it or not, you don’t have to overload your oatmeal with brown sugar and dried fruit to make it delicious. This slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal is made with real apples, applesauce, and maple syrup for just enough sweetness while still being relatively low sugar. It’s high in fiber from the oats and chia seeds to keep you full for hours! It’s naturally gluten-free, too, and can easily be made dairy-free for those with intolerances.
Ingredient Notes
- Steel cut oats: These special oats are made by cutting whole oat groats into 2-3 pieces. They have a smaller pin-head shape and have a creamy texture, especially when simmered in the slow cooker all night.
- Fresh apples: I like to add chopped apples for real fruit in every bite. I used gala apples for this delicious recipe.
- Water: Water is the lower sugar option, but you can sub in 100% pure, unsweetened apple juice to add even more apple flavor.
- Milk: Choose either regular dairy milk or your favorite milk alternative. Unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk are good options.
- Unsweetened applesauce: This adds sweetness and apple flavor without any added sugar.
- Maple syrup: This is entirely optional, but the flavor of maple syrup really enhances the cinnamon and apples.
- Chia seeds: These will absorb any extra liquid and add a little extra fiber.
- Pure vanilla extract: Everything tastes and smells better with a little vanilla.
- Seasonings: Add warming spices like ground cinnamon. Don’t forget a little salt, too.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Cook for 2.5-3 hours on High or 5-6 hours on Low. If possible, stir every hour or so.
- Your cook time will vary based on the slow cooker you use (they all cook at different speeds) and how you like your oatmeal. If you like your oatmeal to have a thicker consistency, you will need to cook it a little longer.
- Taste and add additional sweetener if necessary. If your oatmeal thickens, thin it out with additional milk or water until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Serve with chopped walnuts or pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Tips for the Best Oatmeal:
- If you prefer to use old fashioned oats, you’ll need to reduce the liquid. For 1 cup of rolled oats, use 1 cup milk and 1 cup water.
- If this oatmeal has been sitting for a while, it thickens up quite a bit. Stir in some additional milk to loosen it up and make it creamy again.
- To prevent sticking, spray the crockpot well with cooking spray and stir every hour or so. Alternatively, you can place a baking dish inside the crockpot and cook the oatmeal mixture in there instead. Add an inch of water to the crockpot and then place the baking dish with the oatmeal into the water and cook!
Recipe FAQs
Although this recipe calls for steel-cut oats, you can definitely use rolled or old-fashioned oats instead. Just be sure to reduce the liquid. I recommend 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of rolled oats.
Definitely! Just be mindful of your cooking time. This slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe can be ready in as few as 3 hours or as many as 8. You can easily make it right before bed or turn it on high when you wake up for a cozy brunch.
This is an easy recipe to make vegan! The only ingredient you’ll need to replace is the milk. Use soy milk, oat milk, or your other favorite non-dairy milk. The other ingredients are naturally vegan, so it’s an easy substitute.
Storage Guidelines
Store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The oatmeal will thicken and look gelatinous in the fridge, and that’s okay. Just add some to a medium saucepan and add a little milk to thin it out as it warms up.
Serving Suggestions
These slow cooker steel cut oats can easily be served as a quick breakfast on their own or pair them with these other healthy breakfast recipes.
- Crustless Mini Quiche Recipe
- Egg White Breakfast Casserole
- Egg White Bites
- Mini Egg Bites
- Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk
Recipe Variations
- Add nuts: Some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts would add a great flavor and extra crunch to this crock pot oatmeal.
- Increase the protein: To make your crockpot overnight oatmeal even more satisfying, top it with a scoop of high protein Greek yogurt or stir in a scoop of your favorite protein powder. You may need to increase the liquid if you add protein powder.
- Stir in dried fruits: The flavors of cinnamon and apple pair well with other fresh or dried fruits. Stir in some dried blueberries, cherries, dates, raisins, cranberries, and more for even more flavor.
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Healthy Apple Oatmeal Bake
- High Protein Overnight Oats
- Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
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Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry steel cut oats
- 4 medium apples peeled & diced (I used Gala)
- 2 cups water or sub in 100% pure unsweetened apple juice
- 2 cups milk or milk alternative
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Cook for 2.5-3 hours on High or 5-6 hours on Low. If possible, stir every hour or so.
- Your cook time will vary based on the slow cooker you use (they all cook at different speeds) and how you like your oatmeal. If you like your oatmeal to have a thicker consistency, you will need to cook it a little longer.
- Taste and add additional sweetener if necessary. If your oatmeal thickens, thin it out with additional milk or water until you achieve your desired consistency.
Notes
- If you prefer to use old fashioned oats, you’ll need to reduce the liquid. For 1 cup of rolled oats, use 1 cup milk and 1 cup water.
- If this oatmeal has been sitting for a while, it thickens up quite a bit. Stir in some additional milk to loosen it up and make it creamy again.
- To prevent sticking, spray the crockpot well with cooking spray and stir every hour or so. Alternatively, you can place a baking dish inside the crockpot and cook the oatmeal mixture in there instead. Add an inch of water to the crockpot and then place the baking dish with the oatmeal into the water and cook!
- The nutritional information is calculated without the maple syrup since amounts may vary. It’s also based on about 1 cup of cooked oatmeal.
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