Description

This Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a comforting and hearty breakfast made with steel-cut oats, fresh apples, and warm cinnamon. Slowly cooked overnight in a slow cooker, it boasts a creamy texture and rich flavor, perfect for a cozy morning meal. Topped with nuts or seeds and a drizzle of honey, this recipe is both nutritious and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Oatmeal Base

1 cup steel-cut oats (160 g)
4 cups water (960 ml)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
1/4 teaspoon salt (1.5 g)

Apple Cinnamon Mixture

2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (about 300 g)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (4 g)
1/4 cup brown sugar (50 g)

Toppings (Optional)

1/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds (30 g)
Honey or maple syrup, for drizzling
A splash of cold milk
Yogurt or toasted coconut

Instructions

Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the apple pieces with ground cinnamon and brown sugar, coating them evenly to infuse flavor.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the steel-cut oats to the slow cooker. Layer the cinnamon-coated apples on top of the oats. Pour in the water, then gently stir in the vanilla extract and salt to combine all ingredients without disturbing the layering too much.
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for 7 to 8 hours, ideally overnight. It’s important to avoid frequently opening the lid to maintain consistent heat and ensure the oats cook evenly.
Final Stir and Adjustments: After cooking, stir the oatmeal thoroughly to combine the ingredients smoothly. If the texture is too thick, add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more brown sugar or maple syrup if desired.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the oatmeal warm, topped with your choice of chopped nuts or seeds, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and a splash of cold milk. Optionally, add yogurt or toasted coconut for extra texture and flavor.

Notes

Using steel-cut oats provides a chewy texture and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with apples and cinnamon.
Cooking the oatmeal overnight in a slow cooker saves morning prep time and results in creamy, perfectly cooked oatmeal.
To make this recipe vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup and use plant-based milk.
For added texture, toast the nuts or seeds before sprinkling them on top.
Adjust sweetness according to your preference; remember the apples add natural sweetness as well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker oatmeal, apple cinnamon oatmeal, steel-cut oats recipe, healthy breakfast, slow cooker breakfast