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This Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal is a simple, wholesome breakfast that feels just a little special without any extra work. It's creamy, lightly sweet, and packed with fiber and protein to keep everyone full all morning. You can let the slow cooker do the work overnight (highly recommend for busy mornings) or make it on the stovetop when you need it faster.
Looking for more delicious recipes using steel-cut oats? Don't miss my recipes for Crockpot Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal, Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal, and Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats.
Kristen's Keys for Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
A few small details make the difference between perfectly creamy oats and a frustrating start to your day.
- Grease your slow cooker. A quick spray or liner saves you from scrubbing stuck-on oats later.
- Use the right oats. Stick with steel-cut oats, not quick-cook or rolled oats. Steel-cut oats hold their texture during long cooking, which is what gives you that creamy, yet hearty result, rather than mushy oatmeal.
- Don't skip the milk + water combo. Using both keeps the oats creamy without scorching the milk. All milk can burn during long cook times, especially in a slow cooker.
- Mind your slow cooker's personality. Some run hotter than others. If yours tends to overcook, reduce the time by 1-2 hours.
How to Make Crockpot Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
Let me walk you through the simple process of making hearty, creamy oatmeal studded with sweet strawberries.
- Generously grease the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray or coconut oil.
- Add in the steel-cut oats, water, milk, strawberries, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, and stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (overnight is best).
- Once cooked, add in the yogurt and gently stir to combine.
- Serve with additional fresh strawberries and a dollop of yogurt or splash of cream if desired.
Troubleshooting advice
Burnt Oats?
I have never had an issue with the steel-cut oats burning in my slow cooker. However, each slow cooker is different. If you notice that the bottom is sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker, don't toss the whole batch. Remove the tender oatmeal to a large bowl, leaving the browned bits inside the insert. Add the yogurt and vanilla the bowl and stir to combine. In the future, reduce the cook time by 2 hours.
Recipe Modifications
- Make it on the Stovetop: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, stir in 2 cups milk, oats, strawberries, and a dash of salt. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently, or until thickened and oats are tender. Remove from the heat, stir in maple syrup, vanilla extract, and yogurt, and serve.
- Use Frozen Fruit: No need to thaw first, simply add to the crockpot and cook as directed.
- Swap the fruit: Blueberries, peaches, or raspberries all work beautifully.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use almond, soy, or coconut milk and dairy-free yogurt.
- Skip the Yogurt: Still delicious, just a little less creamy.
- Add More Nutrition: Stir in up to ¼ cup chia seeds or ground flaxseed.
- Make it Sweeter: Add extra maple syrup or up to ¼ cup brown sugar if needed.
- Peanut Butter Twist: Skip strawberries and stir in ½ cup peanut butter and ½ cup jam at the end.
More Delicious Oatmeal Recipes
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Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel-cut oats, no substitution
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups milk, any variety
- 1½ cups hulled and diced strawberries, + more for serving
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of sea salt
- ¼ cup maple syrup, or honey
- 1 cup plain yogurt, Greek or regular
Instructions
- Grease the inside of the slow cooker with melted butter, coconut oil, or spray for easier clean-up.
- In the slow cooker, combine 2 cups steel-cut oats, 4 cups water, 3 cups milk, 1½ cups hulled and diced strawberries, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a dash of sea salt
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low for a firm texture and 8 hours on low for a softer texture. Alternatively, cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Right before serving stir 1 cup plain yogurtt.
- Serve with additional strawberries.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it ok to freeze leftovers or best not to?
Hi Kate! I have frozen before and while I enjoy it after frozen, the yogurt can separate a bit when thawed. Just mix it into the oatmeal and it should be good to go 🙂
I made this on the stove top. I like it thicker so I added more oats. Great flavor.
Thanks for sharing, Susan!
What a great way to warm up in the morning! This has delicious flavor and easy to make! I will be starting my day often with a bowl of this!
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed, Brandy! Thank you for sharing.
This recipe looks delicious, but I was wondering if you could substitute frozen strawberries for the fresh ones? Thanks for your help!
Hi Lacey! If you only have frozen strawberries on hand, defrost and drain them before preparing the oatmeal.
I love that I can make this oatmeal in the slow cooker! It's perfect for prepping breakfast for the busy workweet - thank you!
You bet, Jenn! We love simple recipes like this on weekdays!