This Slow Cooker Oatmeal makes the most delicious oatmeal! Oats cook overnight in the crock-pot with rich maple and cinnamon flavors. Wake up to hearty, gluten-free crockpot oatmeal that is a delicious way to start any day!
Love oatmeal? Be sure to check out all my healthy oatmeal recipes, including Instant Pot Oatmeal, Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats, and Overnight Oats.
Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal is one of my kids' all-time favorite flavors of oatmeal. This simple crockpot oatmeal recipe tastes just like classic Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal packets--warming with a touch of brown sugar and rich with maple.
But when it comes to flavor and nutrition this slow cooker version of oatmeal beats those packs of maple brown sugar oatmeal hands down!
Full of fiber, rich in calcium, and made with less sugar, this is oatmeal you can feel good feeding your kids before they head to school. Or grab a bowl of this hearty crockpot oatmeal before you head out the door to work!
And given that this oatmeal is made with steel-cut oats and in the slow cooker overnight, it comes together just as easy as any packet of store-bought oatmeal. Which you have to love when a healthy breakfast is that easy to make!
Ingredients for Crock Pot Oatmeal
- Steel Cut Oats--Steel cuts oats are a must for this slow cooker oatmeal recipe. They cook perfectly overnight and become tender and soft, but not at all mushy, as regular oats would being cooked this length of time.
- Milk--Use any milk you like for this oatmeal recipe. I have used almond milk, coconut milk, and regular milk with delicious results.
- Water--You need to add water along with dairy of your choice to the oatmeal. This prevents the milk from burning/scorching on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Maple Syrup--Pure maple syrup, not artificial maple syrup for the best flavor!
- Brown Sugar--Just a tad for to nod to the classic brown sugar flavor.
- Vanilla Extract--To bring out the sweetness in this crockpot oatmeal recipe.
- Cinnamon
- Salt--A dash of salt heightens the flavor of maple and brown sugar.
- Coconut Oil--For greasing the slow cooker (feel free to use butter or cooking spray instead). This will help with clean-up and prevent the oats from sticking to the crockpot.
Optional Ingredients
Looking to bump up the nutrients in your slow cooker oatmeal? Add in any or all of the following ingredients.
- Flax Seed--add ¼ cup ground flaxseed to slow cooker before cooking oatmeal.
- Wheat Germ--add in up to ¼ cup wheat germ to slow cooker before cooking.
- Protein Powder--add in 1-4 scoops of your favorite protein powder AFTER the oatmeal has cooked in the slow cooker.
- Yogurt--add in 1 cup plain yogurt to the oatmeal after the cooking time for a creamy, calcium-rich addition to Crock-Pot Oatmeal.
- Nuts--add in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a boost of healthy fats.
How to Make Slow Cooker Oatmeal
- Grease the insert of the slow cooker with coconut oil, butter, or canola oil.
- Mix steel-cut oats, water, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt together in a large slow cooker.
- Place lid on the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low for firm texture and 8 hours on low for a softer texture. Alternatively, cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup and chopped pecans and walnuts if desired.
More Delicious Oatmeal Recipes
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal
- Overnight Oats
- Spiced Vanilla Chai Oatmeal
- Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Oatmeal
Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats no substitution
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups milk any variety
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil or cooking spray or butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- chopped nuts for serving
Instructions
- Grease slow cooker by brushing with melted coconut oil.
- Mix oats, water, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt together in a large slow cooker.
- Place lid on the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low for firm texture and 8 hours on low for a softer texture. Alternatively, cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- To serve, dish up oats and top with additional maple syrup and chopped nuts if desired.
Notes
- You MUST use steel-cut oats for this slow cooker oatmeal. Regular or quick-cooking oats will not work.
- Add in up to ¼ cup flax seed or wheat germ to slow cooker before cooking oatmeal for added fiber.
- Add in 1-4 scoops of plain protein powder AFTER the oatmeal has cooked in the slow cooker for added protein.
- Add in 1 cup plain yogurt to the oatmeal after the cooking time for a creamy, calcium-rich addition to Crock-Pot Oatmeal.
- I have never had an issue with the steel cut oats burning in my slow cooker. However, each slow cooker is different. If your slow cooker burns the bottom of the oats, just don't stir the burnt bottom into the remaining oatmeal and you can eat the rest of the crock-pot oatmeal. In the future, cut back cooking time by 2 hours.
- Use non-dairy milk for dairy-free and vegan slow cooker oatmeal.
- If you would like to use more milk than water, that is fine. You need a total of 7 cups liquid. I don't recommend exceeding 4 cups milk as then the oatmeal would be in risk of scorching the bottom of your slow cooker.
- If you would like your oatmeal thinner, use 8 cups of liquid (5 cups water, 3 cups milk), if you would like thicker oatmeal, use 6 cups of liquid (4 cups of water, 2 cups of milk).
Carole
What size slow cooker for this recipe? Or did I miss that somewhere? Also, have you ever added raisin?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Carole, I use a 6 quart instant pot. And raisins are delicious. Add while cooking if you want them to plump up or add after cooking if you want them to retain their texture.
Joan Ayers
Made this last night before bed, and woke up to a delicious hot breakfast! So yummy!!! I have told about 20 people about it so far. Would be great for visiting family over the holidays or for overnight guests.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Joan! This would be delicious for entertaining as well.
Rachel
Can I add peanut butter to this for extra protein?
Kristen Chidsey
I would stir in the peanut butter after it cooks Rachel--it will melt right in the oatmeal.
Autumn
Has anyone tried old fashioned oats? They're not instant oats or quick oats but old fashioned is what my cannister says. Trying to use up food before we move and this recipe sounds delicious!!
Kristen Chidsey
Old fashioned oats work PERFECTLY Autumn. Enjoy and good luck with your move.
Sharla
What is a serving size of this based on the nutritional value? 1 cup?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sharla! You are correct, each serving size is about 1 cup of cooked oats.
Haley Thornton
How long will this stay good if i refrigerate in mason jars??
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Haley! This will be good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Danielle
Can I use a 5 quart slow cooker?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes Danielle, that will work great. Enjoy!
Erica
Can you tell me how much is a serving size based on your nutrition facts? Thanks!!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Erica, it is about 1.25 cups of cooked oatmeal. I hope you enjoy!