Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

Crock Pot Oatmeal is one of our favorite easy-to-make breakfasts. This overnight crockpot oatmeal with apples is a family favorite! This simple, hands-off method allows us to cook a deliciously hearty and healthy slow-cooked breakfast so easily.

Try our incredible Slow Cooker Blueberry Oatmeal as well!

Warm and soothing, nothing is as delicious as a nice bowl of hot oatmeal. Whether it's to help you stay on track with a diet plan, comfort you when you aren't feeling well, or have a fast and easy breakfast for the kids, this slow cooker oatmeal recipe is a must-make!

This slow-cooker steel-cut oats recipe produces perfect results every time. Plus, you get to eat delicious slow-cooked apples! Overnight Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole and Crock Pot French Toast Casserole are also great hands-off breakfasts.

If you love oatmeal, check out our Easy Baked Oatmeal Cups, Easy Blueberry Oatmeal Bars, and Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars for different options for healthy breakfasts.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Oatmeal

There are a few simple and wholesome ingredients needed for making slow-cooker steel-cut oatmeal:

• Steel Cut Oats - they won't go mushy while slow-cooking
• Milk - any dairy or non-dairy milk will do
• Water
• Apples - cut in chunks
• Cinnamon
• Brown Sugar - or maple syrup or honey
• Butter
• Vanilla
• Ground Flax Seed (optional)
• Salt
• Optional Garnishes

You'll also need a non-stick spray or a crockpot liner.

Can I Freeze Cooked Oatmeal?

Yes! Oatmeal is excellent for freezing and reheating down the road.

Place it in freezer storage containers, label them, and date them. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute increments.

Pro Tip: Freeze plain oatmeal with fresh berries added before freezing. When you thaw and reheat, this will add even more flavor!

How do I Reheat Oatmeal?

Since we usually store leftovers in single-serving containers, the instructions below are for that amount. The same process would work for larger amounts, but you would need to adjust cook times and add liquid.

Put 1 cup of cooked oatmeal into a microwave-safe bowl, and add an additional ⅓ cup of milk of your choice. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir.

If needed, cook in additional 30-second increments until the desired temperature.

Best Oatmeal Toppings

For this recipe, we made an apple cinnamon-flavored oatmeal. The best thing about the recipe is that you can definitely customize it to your preference.

If your family doesn't like apple cinnamon, you can add tons of other flavors to make your oatmeal just as tasty.

The method is the same. Just sub in different spices and fruit or nuts.

• Blueberries with cinnamon and pecans.
• Pumpkin with pumpkin pie spice.
• Diced pears and nutmeg.
• Peaches and added cream.
• Peanut butter and chopped peanuts or a swirl of jelly when served.
• If you want to add extra protein, use a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder in your crockpot oatmeal.

How Long to Cook Oatmeal In the Crockpot

This recipe is somewhat forgiving, but cooking your crockpot oatmeal for 7 hours with steel-cut oats is optimal so that it doesn't turn too mushy.

Step By Step Instructions

Make homemade slow cooker oatmeal a family favorite breakfast. It's great for busy mornings or whenever you need an easy breakfast!

• Step 1: Coat Insert with Non-stick Spray. Coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray, or line it with a crockpot liner.
• Step 2: Add Main Ingredients. Add all of the ingredients except for your additional toppings to the slow cooker. Stir well and cover.

• Step 3: Cook. Cook on low for approximately 7 hours. Adjust the time to your slow cooker if it cooks cooler or hotter. The apples tend to rise to the top, but give it a good mix, and you're all set!

PRO TIP: If your slow cooker tends to run hot, you can also use the warm setting for cooking

• Step 4: Serve. When done cooking, spoon your slow cooker oats into bowls and top with preferred additional toppings and a drizzle of milk.

Tips for Making Oatmeal in the Crock Pot

• To make this recipe plain oatmeal, omit the apples.
• When making oatmeal in the crockpot overnight, it's important to use steel-cut oats. Old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats will turn to mush with the extended cooking time.
  • If you decrease the cooking time, you can use old-fashioned oats.
• You can use all water if you want to make this recipe dairy-free.
• To reheat single servings, put 1 cup of cooked oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl. Add ⅓ cup milk. Then, microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue heating for another minute or until the desired temperature is reached.
• We recommend using a 6-quart programmable crockpot and liners if you're afraid your Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal will stick to the sides of your crockpot.

We have some genius Crockpot Tips and Tricks if you need them. Also, you'll want to know the best tips for better slow cooking so your food tastes amazing every time!

More Crockpot Breakfast Recipes

If you love the ease and convenience of overnight crockpot breakfast recipes, try one of these recipes.

How to Store

Fridge: Store any leftover slow cooker oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave at 1-minute intervals until heated through. If it gets too dry, add ¼ to ⅓ cup of milk.

Other Delicious Breakfast Recipes

1-Minute Sausage and Cheese Omelet
Quinoa Frittata
Breakfast Bagel Bites
Cherry Almond Smoothie
Healthy Breakfast Sundaes

Hungry for more? Follow Suburban Simplicity on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest to see more DIYs, recipes, and home tips!

Also, don't forget to sign up for email!
I only send one email a week, and it'll include my latest recipes, DIYs, and tips, information about exclusive "email only" giveaways, and more! See form below!

Want to subscribe to the Suburban Simplicity Recipe Club? It's only $5 per month, and you'll get ad-free PDFs of any new recipes that I post while supporting me at the same time! Join the club, here.

Printable Recipe