Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

Too busy for breakfast? Try making this Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe using steel cut oats, almond milk, and unsweetened applesauce for delicious flavor. This is a perfect meal prep breakfast that takes little time on your part and makes busy mornings easier to manage.

Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

This is a very simple (yet delicious) apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe you can make overnight in a slow cooker that yields 12-14 servings! When making oatmeal in a slow cooker it is important to use steel-cut oats which are the least processed form of oats aside from groats. They are high in fiber and protein and are low on the glycemic index (about 40-45) so they are a perfect complex carbohydrate breakfast option (and this recipe makes it easy to have for the entire week)! Enough with the details, here’s the recipe.

Can Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats be Frozen? 

Yes! While I love how these steel cut oats are made overnight in my slow cooker, they are also great for making in large batches and portioning for the freezer.

Freezing and reheating oatmeal is a great way to make large quantities and not see them go to waste. Since this batch actually already makes 12-14 servings, you can definitely split it into serving cups and leave part of them in the refrigerator to heat up for the week, and the rest in the freezer for another week.

My favorite storage containers for oatmeal are mason jars. They are just so versatile and easy to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. An average portion is 1 1/2 cups, so you can plan accordingly when shopping for freezer storage containers.

Can I Make Oatmeal Gluten-Free? 

Of course, you can! While oatmeal in itself is naturally gluten-free, you may want to look for brands that specify certified gluten-free. For those who are simply gluten sensitive, it may be okay to use any oatmeal brand. For those with severe reactions or diagnosed celiac diseases, being extremely careful is a must.

Great Oatmeal Toppings

Another reason I love oatmeal for breakfast is how much fun it is to mix and match flavors. Of course, apple cinnamon oatmeal is a classic flavor profile, but sometimes I want to add a little more depth to my oatmeal. Below are some of my favorite toppings for this recipe.

• Diced apples, pears, or fresh berries
• Raisins
• Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
• Flaxseed or chia seeds
• Protein powder

You can even add in diced apples as it cooks to give it more texture with every single bite.  The possibilities are truly endless with this recipe!

More Favorite Oatmeal Recipes

One of my all-time favorite breakfasts is oatmeal, and this apple cinnamon oatmeal definitely satisfies my cravings. If you like a bit more variety, then you can also add my Pecan Pie Oatmeal, Cinnamon Vanilla Oatmeal, or this alternative Apple Crisp Oatmeal Bake. Oatmeal is a perfect low-cost clean eating breakfast option. With countless options for adding flavor, you’ll never get bored and always have a great meal to start your day.

This was originally published on February 8, 2012, and updated September 23, 2019.

Apple-Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats

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• Author: Whitney Carlson
• Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is made simple using this meal prep idea in a slow cooker with steel-cut oats, applesauce, almond milk, and your favorite spices.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups Organic Steel Cut Oats (Use Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats for a Gluten-Free Alternative)
• 3 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 10 cups water (you can use more, but we like the thicker texture)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup Stevia in the Raw (or another sweetener of your choice, your choice may change the calorie count!)
• 3 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1–2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract (avoid HFCS!)

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Instructions

1. Spray your crock pot with non-stick spray.
2. Put all the ingredients into your slow cooker and cook overnight on low (around 8 hours).
3. Wake up to the delicious smell of your Apple-Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats. Don’t freak out when you wake up. All you have to do next is stir!

Notes

• If desired, you can add sliced apple, walnuts, almonds, flax seed, protein powder, or fresh berries.
• Store in a container that holds at least 3.5 liters.
• Gluten Free Version: Use Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats as an alternative.
• Makes approx 12 servings. I have found each serving to be around 1 1/2 cups. However, if you have a scale you may want to weigh yours & divide that by 12 to get a more accurate weight of the serving size.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American