Slow Cooker Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Wake up to this nutritious breakfast by our friend Katie, from Mom to Mom Nutrition!
There’s something about warm overnight oatmeal that makes me want to curl up in front of a fire with a hot cup of coffee and a piping hot bowl of oatmeal as soon as my alarm clock goes off. While that scene might seem cozy this time of year, it’s clearly just a scene in my mind as mornings in my house tend to involve two “hangry” [hungry + angry] toddlers clamoring for breakfast as soon as they wake up. While they are big fans of Michigan Red Delicious apples and oats in their breakfast smoothies, I like to change up their routine every now and then with a batch of oatmeal. And since the cold weather has hit us here in Detroit, I made an overnight oatmeal version in my slow cooker— how easy [and comforting] is that?!
The secret to a delicious overnight [warm] oatmeal is all in the slow cooker cooking technique. You simply cook on high for 1 hour then turn off and let the oats “rest” for 8 hours. I like the sound of the “rest” method, don’t you?! The base for slow cooker overnight oats is simple: 1 cup of oats to 4 cups of liquid. From there you can add your favorite Michigan apple variety—- we are a Michigan Red Delicious apple + cinnamon family so I knew the boys would enjoy this flavor combination.
While overnight refrigerator oats tend to steal the show in cookbooks and Pinterest pages, there’s something to be said about a warm overnight version you can wake up to in the morning!
Slow Cooker Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
2 cups low-fat milk
2 cups water
1 Michigan Red Delicious apple, cored and chopped
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Set slow cooker to high setting. Add all ingredients to slow cooker insert.
2. Cook on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then turn off the slow cooker. With lid on, let stand for 8 hours or overnight.
3. In the morning or before serving, spoon out ½ cup servings and reheat in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
4. Top with favorite toppings such as chopped dried fruit, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, or chopped nuts.
Katie Serbinski, MS, RD, is the registered dietitian and Mom behind Mom to Mom Nutrition. She lives in Detroit, Michigan with her husband and three hungry kiddos.
