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 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
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
If you enjoyed this recipe for Crockpot Oatmeal, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil, butter, or cooking spray for greasing crockpot
- 2 cups regular 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
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- chopped nuts for serving
Instructions
- Grease the bottom and sides of the slow cooker insert using coconut oil, cooking spray, or butter.
- Combine the steel-cut oats, water, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt together in the slow cooker.
- 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.
- To serve, dish up oats and top with additional maple syrup and chopped nuts if desired.
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.
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!
Cyndee
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.
Kristen Chidsey
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.
Laura
I have a small 1.5 quart slow cooker. Can you advise on how to cut your recipe down for this size?
Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
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
Cara Pugliese
Do you know how much makes up one serving?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Cara! One serving is about 1.5 cups. Enjoy
Charmaine
Ate there any issues with doubling recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Charmaine, you should be able to double this recipe without modifications. Enjoy!!
Anitra
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I love hearing that!! So happy everyone enjoyed!
Anitra
So if I’m using Greek yogurt, I add it toward the end not at the beginning as stated in the recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Coco
Would leftovers of these keep well?
Kristen Chidsey
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.
l garrow
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.
Kristen Chidsey
Such a great idea for leftover oatmeal! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca Forst
I have a huge crockpot and I’m afraid it would burn. Think I can use my rice cooker?
Sounds delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
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!
jane @ littlesugarsnaps
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.
Kristen Chidsey
It really is a great solution for busy mornings Jane 🙂
Nellie Tracy
I love finding great oatmeal recipes - can't wait to try this for breakfast! Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome Nellie! This is a great one to keep on hand for busy mornings