Follow these basic steel cut oatmeal crock-pot directions and have a healthy breakfast waiting for you in the morning. It all happens overnight in a slow cooker while you're sleeping in your cozy bed.
My typical morning breakfast: steel cut oats topped with flax seed, blueberries and a sprinkling of walnuts. Sometimes I make up batches of Overnight Oatmeal in a Jar and occasionally I grab a Banana Oatmeal Cookie on the run. But, one way or another oatmeal is usually involved.
On the stove-top, it takes about 20 minutes to cook steel cut oats (a.k.a. Irish oatmeal.) In the morning, when you're in a hurry, minutes can seem like hours. But, this breakfast is totally worth it. These heartier oats stick to your insides and keep you going strong all morning long (at least, according to my mom!)
Solution: You can have this hearty breakfast and still have time for an extra cup of coffee because these oats cook beautifully overnight in a crock-pot. 🙂
Jump to:
What are steel cut oats?
Oats get a different name depending upon how they are processed. They all start as oat groats (unprocessed grains) and are usually roasted. Steel cut oats are chopped into small pieces with a steel blade and have the least amount of processing of the different varieties. In comparison, rolled oats are steamed and flattened.
As you probably guessed, the minimal processing means that steel cut oats are widely considered the most nutritious and healthy of the different types.
Their flavor is nutty and slightly chewy. The liquid they absorb as they cook is what softens them.
You'll also find quick cooking steel cut oats on the market. These are processed the same way but are chopped more finely than the regular variety. As a result, they cook more quickly!
Warning: Don't use quick cooking steel cut oats in this overnight slow cooker recipe!
Ingredients and Variations
I use a cute little 2 quart crock-pot to make 4 servings of oatmeal. (A larger appliance could be used to double or triple this recipe.)
Four servings works out nicely at our house. Hopefully, my daughters or hubby will enjoy one. Otherwise, I make ahead breakfast bowls for the rest of the week to reheat in the microwave.
For four servings, mix 1 cup of steel cut oats with 4 cups of water. The stove-top directions are right there on the package and I don't vary a thing. I just add everything to the crock.
I use water because I have family members with food allergies. However, other liquids, such as almond milk, could be used instead.
This simple recipe calls for vanilla and cinnamon, which enables you to cut down on the amount of sweetener needed (in my humble opinion.) You can sweeten with a ¼ cup of brown sugar while it is cooking too. (I didn't.) Instead, I've been adding a dropper of stevia sweetener. (Yes!)
How long do you cook steel cut oats in a crockpot?
Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. I often cook it for 8 hours (to make it through the night.) If you don't like oatmeal on the firm side or find that it sticks to the sides of the crock-pot, then add a little extra liquid at the start. Or, stir in some water or milk after they are cooked.
At 8 hours, you'll likely start to experience browning around the edges. I use a spoon to scrape it off.
TIP: Use a slow cooker liner to make clean-up a breeze.
Topping Ideas for Oatmeal
Oatmeal doesn't have to be boring! Cover it with a variety of toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Flax seed
- Chia seeds
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Nut butters
- Date paste
- Fresh fruit, such as apples or berries
- Dried Fruit
- Fruit jams (such as blueberry compote or apple butter)
- Chopped Nuts
- Chocolate Chips
- Coconut
- Granola
How long can you keep oats in the fridge?
5-7 days is a good rule of thumb for keeping oats in the refrigerator. Toppings that will stay fresh (i.e., flax seed, chia seeds, dried fruit) can be added beforehand. Or, top it off when you are ready to eat.
TIP: It's easier to stir in toppings, like flaxseed and nut butters, when it's warm!
How to Reheat Steel Cut Oats in the Microwave
Stir in a little water or milk (about 1 Tablespoon) if you don't like your oats firm. Microwave the container on high in 30 second increments until the steel cut oatmeal reaches the desired temperature and consistency. Add any topping as you normally would and enjoy!
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Steel Cut Oatmeal Crock-Pot Directions
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Sweetener We used 1 dropper of a stevia sweetener
Instructions
- Mix first 4 ingredients in a small crock-pot.
- Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours.
- Stir and serve with toppings and sweetener of choice.
Notes
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Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 26, 2013 and has been updated with new pictures and nutritional information.
Amy|The Cook Report says
What a great, healthy breakfast. Never thought about doing it in the crock pot but sounds fab!
Julia says
I am also one of those people who can't start their day without a good breakfast and while I tend to have diverse breakfast sometimes I am after recipes like this - that don't take so much time to prepare!
sc says
"I used a cute little 2 quart crock-pot for my 4 servings of oatmeal. Yes, 4 servings. "
that looks more like a 16 oz. (2 cup) rather than a 2 quart (64 0z) crock.
STCA says
It must be 2 quart or she wouldn’t be able to add 4 cups water.
Dawn says
I don't know what went wrong. Tried this twice and both times end up with a goey, mushy, mess. I followed the recipe exactly.
Marjory says
I'm so sorry to hear of the problem. It's hard to diagnose a problem from afar. However, I did use a small-sized crock pot. Also, you may want to adjust to a smaller amount of liquid if you try it again. Thanks for your feedback!
Bernie Hoohuli says
Did you use Quick Oats, perhaps? Quick Oats are the 1-minute stove top style where the oats are chopped for speedier cooking. Good luck next go-round. It’s absolutely delish!!!
Shannon says
I would add 3 cups of liquid instead of 4. Yields a more chewy, not mushy texture. Also, cook for 4-6 hours, like set the crockpot to 6 hours but check after 4. Once you reach the consistency you want, you can make a note to yourself for next time so it's more handsoff.
Lindsey says
Tried this, this morning! Turned out exactly as promised, except I chose to add the sugar when I woke up in the morning (My personal preference is a bit sweeter oatmeal) Even my 3 year old liked it! Win win! Crock pot oatmeal has been added to our winter breakfast list! Thank you for sharing it!
Marjory says
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I'm glad your family liked it!
Kristin says
Can this recipe be used in a larger crockpot? Mine is about 6 quarts and I know some recipes adapt better than others. Thanks!
Marjory says
For a larger crock pot, I think you will need to double the recipe. You can store in the fridge and reheat though!
Jenny says
Can the water be substituted with milk in the crock-pot? I don't like oatmeal with water, when I make it on the stove top I always use milk but, I have to stand over it so it does not boil over.
Marjory says
I have read that it can...but, I have never tried it. Let me know how it turns out!
Debbie says
Yes you can use half water and half milk, that is the way that I make mine adding cut up apples also.
AJ says
Yes -- but to improve this recipe to Olympic fantasticalness, substitute Apple Juice for water: add only cinnamon, and you don't even need extra sweetness or even apples. unless you like the crunch.
Instead, make this into "Gourmet oatmeal" by adding raisins, dried blueberries, dried cranberries ("Raisins") and chopped dried apricots. Cook in crockpot overnight, and in the morning only add a pinch of salt and maybe butter and if you are absolutely decadent, a little scotch whisky over the butter; so that you get a little whisky with every spoonful.
This is called "Scotch Porrage" and will make your day. Remember, you can only use steel-cut (Irish) oats in a crockpot and have the right texture; otherwise it has the texture of library paste goo.
Allison Keats says
When I make steel cut oats, I use half water and half milk (either cows or a plant based depending on what I have). It works