Warm, hearty, and effortlessly convenient, this Easy Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is the perfect way to start your mornings! Wholesome steel-cut oats, fresh apples, and warm cinnamon create a delicious apple pie-inspired breakfast that's bound to become a family favorite.
When it comes to busy mornings, having a warm and comforting breakfast ready is a game-changer. That's why I love easy breakfast recipes that you can make ahead of time, like my healthy breakfast burritos, cinnamon roll overnight oats, and berry chia pudding.
Now I'm excited to bring you this Easy Crock pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe. It's your ticket to a delicious and hearty breakfast without the morning rush.
This apple oatmeal combines creamy steel-cut oats with the natural sweetness of juicy apples, creating a hearty and satisfying breakfast. A touch of cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup infuse it with the irresistible aroma of apple pie spice, making every bite a delightful taste of fall.
Are you a fan of apples and cinnamon? Try my apple cinnamon overnight oats, which only take 5 minutes to prep!
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Overnight Oatmeal in the Crockpot
The crockpot (slow cooker) is so versatile. I use it to make everything from bbq pulled chicken sandwiches to mulled apple cider, and a delicious apple crisp. If you've never tried making oatmeal in a slow cooker, now is the perfect time to start.
The best thing about this overnight crockpot apple oatmeal is the minimal effort it requires. It does all the work, so you can just set it and forget it!
Simply toss all your ingredients into the slow cooker in the evening and set it on low heat. Then, in the morning, you'll wake up to a wam, comforting bowl of oatmeal. And, while it cooks, your kitchen will be filled with the delightful scent of apple pie goodness.
With its creamy texture and rich flavor, this crockpot apple cinnamon oatmeal is a must-try recipe. It's especially perfect during the cold months when you crave a comforting and nutritious hot breakfast. It's a family favorite, along with my crockpot French toast casserole.
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Effortless- this crockpot apple oatmeal recipe is incredibly easy to make. Let your slow cooker do the work while you sleep, and wake up to a warm bowl of ready-made breakfast perfection.
- Hearty and Nutritious- packed with wholesome steel-cut oats and fresh apples, it's a hearty breakfast that provides long-lasting energy and essential nutrients.
- Delicious- capture the essence of fall with the comforting flavors of apple pie. The heavenly aroma will fill your kitchen as it cooks.
- Meal Prep Friendly- make a big batch and store leftovers in an airtight container for quick and convenient breakfasts throughout the week.
- Suitable for Various Diets: this recipe is vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.
Steel-Cut Oats vs Rolled Oats
Steel-cut oats are a must for this recipe! I don't recommend using rolled oats because they become mushy in the slow cooker.
Steel-Cut Oats
- Steel-cut oats are oats are whole oat groats that have been chopped into small, coarse pieces with steel blades. They are the least processed form of oats and retain their natural bran and germ. Steel-cut oats are also known as Irish oats.
- Steel-cut oats have a hearty, chewy texture with a nutty flavor. They retain their shape and provide a satisfying bite when cooked. Steel cut oatmeal typically requires around 20-30 minutes to become tender.
- Because they are less processed than rolled oats, steel-cut oats retain more of their natural nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They have a lower glycemic index, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Rolled Oats (aka Old-Fashioned Oats)
- Rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats, are steamed and then flattened with large rollers to create flakes. This process partially cooks them and reduces their cooking time.
- Rolled oats are flatter and softer in texture. They cook much faster, usually within 5-10 minutes, making them a good option for a quick meal. Rolled oats have a smoother mouthfeel when compared to steel-cut oats.
- Rolled oats may have a slightly lower fiber content due to the processing. They are a good source of whole grains and provide essential nutrients.
Doctor's Tips
- Oats are a nutritional powerhouse! They have a well-balanced nutrient profile, and are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. Oats are also packed with an array of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. .
- Apples are another nutritious ingredient that are packed with vitamins and minerals, and fiber.
- Both oats and apple are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Most Americans don't get enough fiber. On average, American adults only consume 10-15 grams of total fiber per day, which is far below the USDA's recommended intake of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.
- A diet high in fiber has many health benefits. Fiber keeps us full, helps manage blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, and promotes digestive health, gut health and weight management.
- This crockpot apple oatmeal is a great way to incorporate fiber-rich foods like into your diet can help to bridge this nutritional gap and support your overall health.
Doctor's Tip: Discover the remarkable health benefits of overnight oats! From promoting heart health to aiding in weight management, oats are packed with nutrition to kickstart your day!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions:
- Steel-cut oats- steel-cut oats are a must for this recipe! Steel-cut oats (LINK) are oats are less processed than rolled (old fashioned) oats. They have a hearty, chewy texture and take longer to cook than rolled oats. Rolled oats become mushy in the slow cooker. Use gluten-free oats to keep this recipe gluten free.
- Milk- you can use any type of dairy or non-dairy milk in this recipe; I like using unsweetened almond milk but you can use oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or cow's milk. Use unsweetened milk so that you can control the amount of sugar in the dish
- Water- I use a 50:50 mixture of milk and water for this slow cooker apple oatmeal; it give the perfect creamy consistency and won't dry out or scorch
- Apples- I add chunks of apples to the oatmeal. As they cook, they soften up, reminiscent of apple pie filling, you can use Fuji, honeycrisp, gala, pink lady or granny smith for a more tart flavor. You can peel the apples but I prefer to leave the skin on for the nutrients.
- Cinnamon- apples and cinnamon are a natural pairing. You can substitute apple pie spice, which also includes spices like nutmeg and allspice; you can even try pumpkin pie spice or chai spice
- Vanilla extract- adds depth of flavor that complements the apples and cinnamon
- Maple syrup- I add just a touch of pure maple syrup to lightly sweeten the oatmeal but you can substitute any sweetener of your choice like brown sugar or honey, or leave it out altogether
Equipment
I use a small (3-quart) crock-pot for this overnight apple cinnamon oatmeal.
How To Make Easy Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Chop the apples into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2- Grease the slow cooker with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup. Combine steel cut oats, chopped apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Step 3- Pour in the milk and water and stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Step 4- Cover and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours until oatmeal is creamy and apples are tender. Serve apple pie oatmeal warm with additional toppings like chopped nuts, cinnamon, diced apple, maple syrup, or a drizzle of milk, if desired.
Chef's Tips
- Make sure you use traditional steel-cut oats in this crock pot oatmeal. Do not use quick-cooking steel-cut oats or rolled oats- they cook too quickly and will get mushy in the slow cooker. I like these steel-cut oats.
- Be sure to grease the bowl of your crockpot well so that the oats don't stick to the walls or get scorched. You can use a crockpot liner to make clean up super easy.
- The first time you make this dish, check on your oats to make sure they're not getting overcooked or too dry. Different slow cookers cook at different speeds so the final cook time may vary.
- Stir some vanilla protein powder into the dish for an extra boost of protein. Or try my high protein overnight oats.
- Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave. The oatmeal can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Crockpot Oatmeal Toppings
Here's a list of delicious toppings you can add to your crockpot apple oatmeal to enhance its flavor and texture:
- Fresh fruit- chopped apple, pear, fresh berries, sliced banana
- Dried fruit- raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, chopped dates, dried cherries
- Nuts and seeds- chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds or flaxseed for some heart-healthy fats
- Nut butter- drizzle on some creamy almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter
- Dairy or dairy alternatives- top with.a little milk or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a boost of protein
- Spices- add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, or cardamom
- Granola- adds a nice crunchy texture; try making homemade granola
Recipe FAQs
Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave. The oatmeal can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze the oatmeal in individual portions to make it easy to defrost a single meal's worth.
Use steel-cut oats for slow cooker oatmeal. Steel-cut oats have a hearty, chewy texture and take longer to cook than rolled oats. Rolled oats become mushy in the slow cooker.
Yes, you can cook oats with water, milk, or a combination of the two. Oats cooked in milk will be creamier than oats cooked in water. I find that a 50:50 mixture of water and milk works best for this overnight crockpot oatmeal.
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Recipe
Easy Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 apples, chopped (like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady or Granny Smith for a more tart flavor)
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup steel-cut oats (use gluten-free oats to keep the recipe gluten free)
- 2 cups almond milk
- 2 cups water
Optional toppings:
- splash of milk, diced apple, cinnamon, chopped nuts, or maple syrup
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker generously with cooking spray. Place the chopped apples, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup, and oats in the bottom.
- Pour the milk and water in and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the oats are fully cooked and oatmeal has a creamy consistency.
- Spoon oatmeal into bowls and add any desired toppings like a splash of milk, diced apple, cinnamon, chopped nuts, or maple syrup.
Notes
- Make sure you use traditional steel-cut oats in this crock pot oatmeal. Do not use quick-cooking steel-cut oats or rolled oats- they cook too quickly and will get mushy in the slow cooker.
- Be sure to grease the bowl of your crockpot well so that the oats don't stick to the walls or get scorched. You can use a crockpot liner to make clean up super easy.
- The first time you make this dish, check on your oats to make sure they're not getting overcooked or too dry. Different slow cookers cook at different speeds so the final cook time may vary.
- Stir some vanilla protein powder into the dish for an extra boost of protein. Or try my high protein overnight oats.
- Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave. The oatmeal can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
JEG says
Made it Monday night so I could have a good, quick breakfast before heading out the door to work Tuesday morning. I did like it. I might add a tad of salt next time. When making stove-top oatmeal, I do use a bit of salt in the boiing water--not the amount on the box.
Dr. Sonali Ruder says
I'm glad you liked it! Yes, adding a pinch of salt is a great way to enhance the flavor of the oats. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂
N says
Would you add protein powder at the same time as everything else (ie before cooking) or at the end when serving?
Dr. Sonali Ruder says
Protein powder is a great idea to boost the protein content of this dish. I would recommend stirring it in at the end, just before serving. You could also add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for extra protein. Thanks for stopping by!