Creamy Crockpot Steel Cut Oats (Easy Make-Ahead!)

Waking up to a warm, creamy bowl of oatmeal is one of life's simple pleasures, and these Crockpot Steel Cut Oats make it incredibly easy! This recipe delivers perfectly cooked steel-cut oats with just the right amount of chewiness, loaded with the comforting flavors of mashed banana, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. I absolutely love using my slow cooker for Crockpot Steel Cut Oats because I can prep them quickly, and then let the crockpot do the work - perfect for busy mornings or meal prepping breakfasts for the week. It's a wholesome, satisfying, and delicious way to start the day!

Why You'll Love These Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

• Easy & Hands-Off: The slow cooker does most of the work, making breakfast effortless.
• Creamy & Chewy Texture: Slow cooking yields perfectly tender steel-cut oats with a delightful chew.
• Flavorful & Comforting: Packed with banana, brown sugar, maple, and cinnamon for a warm and cozy flavor.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy healthy breakfasts throughout the week.
• Customizable: Easy to adjust sweeteners and perfect for loading up with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients for Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

Here's what you'll need to make this easy and comforting breakfast. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Plain oat milk (Dairy Alternative/Liquid)
• Maple syrup (Sweetener)
• Brown sugar, packed (Sweetener)
• Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
• Very ripe bananas, mashed (Fruit)
• Ground cinnamon (Spice)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Steel cut oats (Grain)

Optional Toppings

• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Fruit (fresh or dried)
• Nuts
• Raisins

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the banana-maple-cinnamon flavor of these Crockpot Steel Cut Oats, but they are incredibly versatile:

• Apple Cinnamon: Swap mashed bananas for unsweetened applesauce and add extra cinnamon or apple pie spice. Stir in diced apples during the last 30 minutes.
• Pumpkin Spice: Replace mashed banana with pumpkin puree and use pumpkin pie spice instead of just cinnamon.
• Berry Delicious: Omit banana and stir in fresh or frozen berries during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Nutty: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds along with the oats. Add a swirl of peanut butter or almond butter before serving.
• Different Milk: Use regular dairy milk, almond milk, soy milk, or cashew milk instead of oat milk.

How to Make Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

Let me show you how incredibly easy it is to make Crockpot Steel Cut Oats:

Prep Crockpot and Combine Ingredients

1. First, I grease my 6-quart crockpot (slow cooker) generously with cooking spray. This step is crucial to prevent sticking!
2. Then, I pour in the oat milk, maple syrup, packed brown sugar, vanilla extract, mashed ripe bananas, ground cinnamon, and salt directly into the crockpot insert.
3. I whisk these liquid and flavor ingredients together until they are fully combined.
4. Finally, I stir in the steel-cut oats.

Cook

1. I place the cover on the crockpot.
2. I cook on the HIGH setting for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until the oats are tender and creamy but still have a slight chew, cooked to my liking. Cooking times can vary slightly between slow cooker models.

Serve

1. Once cooked, I give the Crockpot Steel Cut Oats a good stir.
2. I taste and re-season if needed (maybe a touch more salt or sweetener depending on preference).
3. I serve the oats plain or, my favorite way, loaded up with additional toppings!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Slow Cooker Oats

Here are my secrets for making perfect Crockpot Steel Cut Oats:

• Grease the Crockpot Well: Don't skip this! Steel-cut oats can stick significantly to the slow cooker insert if it's not well-greased.
• Use Steel-Cut Oats: This recipe is specifically designed for steel-cut oats (also called Irish oats). Rolled oats or quick oats cook much faster and will become mushy with this method and timing.
• Ripe Bananas: Very ripe bananas provide the most natural sweetness and mash easily.
• Cooking Time Varies: Slow cookers can differ. Start checking for doneness around the 2.5-hour mark on high. Oats should be tender but retain some chewiness. Adjust time as needed for your preference.
• Stir Before Serving: Give the oats a good stir after cooking, as they can settle.

How to Serve

These Crockpot Steel Cut Oats are a fantastic blank canvas! Serve them warm, topped with:

• Extra brown sugar or maple syrup
• Fresh fruit (berries, sliced banana, diced apples)
• Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots)
• Nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds) or seeds (chia, flax, pumpkin)
• A splash of milk or cream
• A dollop of yogurt
• A spoonful of nut butter

Make Ahead and Storage

This recipe is PERFECT for meal prep!

• Storage: Once cooled completely, store leftover Crockpot Steel Cut Oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk or water to loosen the oats as they will thicken considerably upon chilling. Stir well while reheating.

FAQs about Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

• Can I cook these on LOW overnight?
  • While some slow cooker oat recipes are designed for overnight cooking on low (usually 6-8 hours), this specific recipe with its liquid ratios is tested for the HIGH setting (2.5-3 hours). Cooking for 8+ hours on low might result in overly soft or potentially burnt oats depending on your slow cooker model. If attempting, use plenty of cooking spray and check towards the end of the cook time.
• Can I use water instead of oat milk?
  • Yes, you can substitute water or another milk (dairy or non-dairy) for the oat milk. The flavor and creaminess will vary slightly.
• Are steel-cut oats gluten-free?
  • Oats themselves are naturally gluten-free, but they are often processed in facilities that also handle wheat. If you need strictly gluten-free, ensure you purchase certified gluten-free steel-cut oats.

Enjoy this warm, creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy Crockpot Steel Cut Oats recipe! It makes breakfast simple and delicious.

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