Description
A warm and comforting oatmeal made with steel-cut oats slowly cooked overnight in a slow cooker. This creamy and nutritious breakfast is perfect for a hassle-free morning, delivering rich flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with customizable toppings like fresh berries and nuts.
Ingredients
Oatmeal Base
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 4 cups water or milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings (Optional)
- Fresh berries
- Chopped nuts
- Honey or maple syrup
- Sliced bananas
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with oil or cooking spray to prevent the oats from sticking during the long cooking process.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the steel-cut oats, water or milk, salt, brown sugar or maple syrup, and cinnamon into the slow cooker. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or overnight, allowing the oats to become tender and creamy.
- Add Vanilla: Before serving, stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor of the oatmeal.
- Serve: Spoon the oatmeal into bowls and top with your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, chopped nuts, honey, maple syrup, or sliced bananas for added texture and sweetness.
Notes
- Use a slow cooker liner to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Add dried fruits like raisins or cranberries along with the oats before cooking for extra natural sweetness and texture.
- You can substitute water with any type of milk (dairy or plant-based) for creamier oatmeal.
- Adjust sweetness according to preference by varying the amount of brown sugar or syrup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
