Wake Up to Perfect Slow-Cooker Oatmeal

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of warm, creamy oatmeal that’s been cooking all night! This hearty breakfast will make your whole family happy, and the best part is you can set it up the night before and wake up to a ready-made meal. Your slow cooker does all the work while you sleep!

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 8 hours, Serves: 8 people.

Nutrition Profile: No Added Sugar, Sesame-Free, Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 178 Calories, 3g Fat, 34g Carbs, 5g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Water: You’ll need 8 cups of water, which is exactly 2 quarts if you’re measuring that way. The water creates that perfect creamy texture as it slowly cooks with the oats all night long.

Steel-cut oats: 2 cups of steel-cut oats are the secret to this recipe’s amazing texture. Don’t use regular rolled oats here – steel-cut oats hold up much better during the long cooking time and give you that hearty, satisfying bite.

Dried cranberries: ⅓ cup of dried cranberries adds just the right amount of sweetness and chewy texture. You can find these in the baking aisle or near the other dried fruits at your grocery store.

Dried apricots: ⅓ cup of chopped dried apricots brings a lovely golden color and mild fruity flavor. Make sure to chop them into small pieces so they cook evenly and mix well throughout the oatmeal.

Salt: Just ¼ teaspoon of salt might seem small, but it really helps bring out all the flavors. Don’t skip this little ingredient – it makes a big difference!

How to Make Slow-Cooker Oatmeal

Step 1: Combine all your ingredients in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Add the 8 cups of water first, then stir in the 2 cups of steel-cut oats. Mix in the dried cranberries and chopped apricots, then sprinkle the salt on top. Give everything a good stir to make sure it’s all mixed together. Cover with the lid and cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours until the oats are tender and creamy.

Easy and Quick Slow-Cooker Oatmeal Version

Want to make this on the stovetop instead? You can totally do that using a double boiler! Just cut the recipe in half to fit most double boilers. Use 4 cups water, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 tablespoons each of dried cranberries and chopped apricots, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Cook it covered over boiling water for about 1½ hours, and check the water level in the bottom pot now and then.

Serving Ideas

This oatmeal is pretty much a complete breakfast all on its own! You can jazz it up with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you like things sweeter. Fresh berries, sliced bananas, or chopped nuts make wonderful toppings too.

Storage

This oatmeal tastes best right out of the slow cooker, but leftovers keep great in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just pop them in the microwave to reheat – you might need to stir in a little water or milk to get that creamy texture back since it thickens up as it sits.

Substitutions

No dried cranberries? Try raisins, chopped dates, or dried cherries instead. You can swap the apricots for any dried fruit you love – dried peaches or even chopped dried figs work great. If you want it dairy-free, stick with water, but you can use milk instead for extra creaminess if that works for your diet.

Pro Tips

• Size matters: Make sure you use a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker – smaller ones might overflow!
• No peeking: Keep that lid on during cooking. Every time you lift it, you lose heat and steam.
• Chop small: Cut those dried apricots into small pieces so they soften up nicely during cooking.
• Gluten-free note: If you need this to be gluten-free, make sure your oats are labeled “gluten-free” to avoid cross-contamination.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

You bet! If you use the stovetop, I recommend using a double boiler. You may have to halve the recipe to fit most double boilers. Combine 4 cups water, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, 3 tablespoons chopped dried apricots and ⅛ teaspoon salt in the top of the double boiler. Cover and cook over boiling water for about 1½ hours, checking the water level in the bottom from time to time.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

This oatmeal is best served right out of the slow cooker, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Any leftovers heat up nicely in the microwave. The oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sits, so you may need to stir in additional liquid to get it back to its creamy consistency.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free! While oats themselves are naturally gluten-free, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use oats that are labeled “gluten-free,” since regular oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat and barley during processing.

What else can I add to my overnight oatmeal?

So many options! After cooking, you can top with additional sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, more chopped dried fruit, fresh fruit, chopped nuts, or a dollop of Greek yogurt or peanut butter for extra protein. Get creative with whatever you have on hand!

I hope you love this easy breakfast as much as my family does! Let me know in the comments what toppings you tried – I’m always looking for new ideas to make breakfast even more delicious.