This Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe is the ultimate warm, cozy breakfast for those busy mornings! Just pop everything in the slow cooker the night before, and let it slow cook to perfection all night long. It’s hearty, creamy, and reminds me of warm apple pie, perfect for back to school, the holidays, or chilly mornings! {Gluten-free & vegan-friendly}
Table of Contents
Slow Cooker Apple Steel Cut Oatmeal
This easy crockpot apple cinnamon oatmeal is such a great option for a hearty breakfast! It’s loaded with both insoluble and soluble fiber, which can keep you full for hours.
Better yet, this version 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! It’s ultra cozy, super simple, and perfect for the whole family.
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 Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe
- Almost no effort – just dump in the crockpot and go!
- Slowly cooks overnight, ideal for busy mornings or holidays
- Classic warm and cozy flavors
- Makes the whole house smell incredible
- Naturally sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup
- Great source of fiber from the oats and chia seeds
- Gluten-free, vegetarian, 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, which are naturally sweeter, but Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith are all great options.
- Water: Water is the lowest sugar option, but you can also sub in 100% pure, unsweetened apple juice to add even more apple flavor.
- Milk: I’m partial to unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk, although regular dairy milk works, too.
- Unsweetened applesauce: This adds sweetness and apple flavor without any added sugar.
- Pure 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 Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal – Step-by-Step
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add all of the ingredients other than the maple syrup 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 desired amount of maple syrup. 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.
Scroll 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. Do not use instant or quick oats – they will turn into mush during the longer cooking time!
- 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, if possible.
Recipe FAQs
If you’re in a rush, skip the slow cooker and do this instead. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, mix all of the ingredients together other than the maple syrup, then increase the heat to high until the mixture begins to simmer. Once it’s simmering, lower the heat to medium-low and cook for about 35 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the oats reach a creamy consistency. Stir every five minutes at first, then more frequently as it cooks (you may need to lower the heat slightly as it thickens). Take it off the heat and let the oatmeal rest for 5 minutes to allow it to thicken further before serving. Sweeten with maple syrup to taste and serve!
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.
Storage Guidelines
Store leftovers 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 complete breakfast on their own or pair them a Crustless Mini Quiche or Egg White Breakfast Casserole for a more filling meal.
Optional Toppings + 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 Baked Oatmeal with Apples
- High Protein Overnight Oats
- Baked Oatmeal with Applesauce
- Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats
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Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut 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 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add all of the ingredients other than the maple syrup 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 desired amount of maple syrup. 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.
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.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in December 2023 and the text, formatting and ingredient shot were updated in August 2025.
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