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 1/4 cup ground flaxseed to slow cooker before cooking oatmeal.
- Wheat Germ–add in up to 1/4 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
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil or cooking spray or butter
- 1/4 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 large slow cooker. Place lid on slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low for firm texture and 8 hours on low for 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 1/4 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).
What is a serving size of this based on the nutritional value? 1 cup?
Hi Sharla! You are correct, each serving size is about 1 cup of cooked oats.
How long will this stay good if i refrigerate in mason jars??
Hi Haley! This will be good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I use a 5 quart slow cooker?
Yes Danielle, that will work great. Enjoy!
Can you tell me how much is a serving size based on your nutrition facts? Thanks!!
Hi Erica, it is about 1.25 cups of cooked oatmeal. I hope you enjoy!
I must’ve done something wrong. It has been over five hours on high and it is still mostly liquid. Not sure how much more liquid can or will be absorbed, It will break my heart to have to throw it all away, but not sure how to salvage it.
Hi Cyndee. Well, 3 hours left is still quite a bit of cook time. However, if you did not use regular oats or you used too much liquid–it would not turn out right. BUT do not throw it away, you can place in a pan on the stove with additional oats and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until oats are tender and liquid has evaporated.
I have a small 1.5 quart slow cooker. Can you advise on how to cut your recipe down for this size?
Thanks!
Hi Laura! You can adjust the serving size (click on the number 8 and a slider button will appear). For a small instant pot, I would adjust to 2 or 3 servings. Cook time should remain the same, but I have never tried this recipe in a small crock pot. Enjoy
Do you know how much makes up one serving?
Hi Cara! One serving is about 1.5 cups. Enjoy
Ate there any issues with doubling recipe?
Hi Charmaine, you should be able to double this recipe without modifications. Enjoy!!
It was so delicious and creamy—and easy! I took this to a staff breakfast, and it was all eaten. I can’t wait to make it again!
Oh I love hearing that!! So happy everyone enjoyed!
So if I’m using Greek yogurt, I add it toward the end not at the beginning as stated in the recipe?
Hi Anitra! I am sorry for if the tips led you astray, you would add Greek yogurt while cooking. I updated the notes to be more clear 🙂 I hope you enjoy!
Would leftovers of these keep well?
Absolutely Coco! Allow to cool and then refrigerate. Dish out in individual bowls and reheat in microwave for a minute or two. You can add a splash of milk to thin out if needed.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve put left over oatmeal in a greased cup cake pan and put them in the freezer. When the oatmeal has frozen, remove them and store in plastic bags in the freezer. Take out what you need and microwave in a cereal bow. Turns out perfect and it’s easy.
Such a great idea for leftover oatmeal! Thanks for sharing!
I have a huge crockpot and I’m afraid it would burn. Think I can use my rice cooker?
Sounds delicious!
Oh, that is a great idea! I think it may work. But, I haven’t experimented so I am a bit unsure timing. However, I can tell you that you can place a glass oven safe dish in your crock pot and then put water around the slow cooker and then place ingredients in the glass dish and cook as directed. Just be sure your dish is oven safe (like pyrex)
I need to expermient with rice cooker to see if I can nail down directions for you Rebecca!
I love this recipe and all your other versions of oatmeal. I never would have thought to pop my oatmeal into a slowcooker for an instant breakfast, but it’s the perfect solution for busy morning really.
It really is a great solution for busy mornings Jane 🙂
I love finding great oatmeal recipes – can’t wait to try this for breakfast! Thank you!
You are so welcome Nellie! This is a great one to keep on hand for busy mornings