My Crockpot Steel Cut Oats with Apples recipe is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it breakfast. Just add apples, milk, cinnamon, steel cut oats, and the remaining ingredients to your crockpot and let it cook overnight. By morning, you’ll have a warm breakfast that smells like apple pie, with no sugar added. Sweeten with a little brown sugar or maple syrup if desired for an easy morning treat.
Healthy and yummy recipe!
– Dennis
Even with its unassuming beige color, this apple cinnamon steel cut oats crockpot recipe brings plenty to the table. It’s rich in fiber and phytonutrients, and the creamy oats keep just enough texture to stay satisfying. Sweet apples and cinnamon add natural flavor, so added sugar really isn’t necessary.
Imagine the scent of warm apple crisp greeting you when you wake up. Morning person or not, that cozy aroma makes getting out of bed easier.
Slow cookers and steel cut oats really are a perfect match. Set everything up at night and wake to creamy, hearty oats. No stirring, no early alarm, just breakfast ready when you are. Simple recipes like this apple cinnamon oatmeal can be a lifesaver on busy, tiring, or low-energy days, giving you a nourishing option without extra effort.
🍎 Crockpot Steel Cut Oats with Apples Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make apple cinnamon steel cut oats in the crockpot:
- 1 cup steel cut oatmeal (dry)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup water
- 2¾ cups milk, divided
- 4 cups peeled and chopped baking apples
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Oatmeal toppings (optional; brown sugar, maple syrup, nuts, etc.)
Get a printable recipe card below.
Choose an apple variety that holds up well to baking for this recipe. I’m partial to Cortlands, but any good baking apple will work nicely.
The cinnamon apple flavor is fairly mild, which makes it a great base for toppings. Lately I’ve been loving Medjool dates and walnuts, though banana slices with peanut butter are a simple, budget-friendly favorite too. If you really love apples, try adding fresh slices on top. It’s an easy way to use up extras.
One practical note: oatmeal can stick in slow cookers, especially oval ones. A round-bottom cooker tends to work better if you have one. Either way, be sure to grease the bottom and sides well before adding ingredients. Butter, or another cooking fat, really helps prevent sticking and isn’t optional here.
🍏 How to Make Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats with Apple
It’s time to make cinnamon apple steel cut oats. Just be sure to start this recipe the night before you want breakfast ready.
Peel, core, and chop your apples. I usually cut each medium apple into about 16 pieces. Smaller pieces will break down more and create a saucier texture.
Grease the bottom and sides of your slow cooker with butter, leaving the remaining butter in the bottom.
Add the apples and cinnamon first, then the water and 2 cups of milk, and finally the oats. Adding the oats last helps prevent sticking.
Gently stir so the oats sit below the liquid line. Cover and cook on low for about nine hours overnight.
In the morning, stir in the remaining ¾ cup milk, divide into bowls, and add any toppings you like. Enjoy!
Crockpot Steel Cut Oats with Apples (Slow Cooker Recipe)
My Crockpot Steel Cut Oats with Apples recipe is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it breakfast.
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 344 kcal
Please leave a comment below 😊
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Start this recipe the night before you would like to have it for breakfast. Peel, core, and chop your apples. I usually cut each medium apple into about 16 pieces. Smaller pieces will break down more and create a saucier texture.
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Grease the bottom and sides of your slow cooker with butter, leaving the remaining butter in the bottom.
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Add the apples and cinnamon first, then the water and 2 cups of milk, and finally the oats. Adding the oats last helps prevent sticking.
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Gently stir so the oats sit below the liquid line. Cover and cook on low for about nine hours overnight.
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In the morning, stir in the remaining ¾ cup milk, divide into bowls, and add any toppings you like. Enjoy!
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💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). The calorie count for this dish doesn’t include any optional toppings. It’s delicious on its own, but toppings can be a fun way to customize it if you like.
Because oatmeal and apples are naturally lower in protein, you might consider pairing this breakfast with a protein-rich side such as Greek yogurt. Cottage cheese, plain skyr, hard-boiled eggs, or an omelet are other easy options if you want something more filling.
If you use certified gluten-free steel cut oats, this vegetarian recipe is also naturally gluten free. For a dairy-free or vegan version, swap the butter for avocado oil or coconut oil and use calcium-fortified soy milk instead of dairy milk.
Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 49.8gProtein: 10.8gFat: 11.6gSaturated Fat: 6.1gSodium: 129.4mgPotassium: 378.3mgFiber: 5.8gVitamin A: 11.8% DVVitamin C: 10.1% DVCalcium: 29.7% DVIron: 10.5% DV
Keywords crockpot steel cut oats with apples, slow cooker steel cut oats apple
Frequently Asked Questions
Which oats are most nutritious: steel cut, rolled, or instant?
Steel-cut, rolled oats, and instant oats are all whole grains. They come from the same oat groat, just processed differently, so their overall nutrition is quite similar. The biggest differences show up in texture and cooking time rather than nutrients.
Steel cut oats, often called Irish oats, are simply chopped oat groats. Rolled oats are steamed and flattened into flakes, while instant oats are steamed longer and rolled thinner so they cook faster.
Steel cut oats do have a slightly lower glycemic index than rolled oats, which may be helpful for some people managing blood sugar.
What spices go well in oatmeal?
The cinnamon in this apple oatmeal is fairly mild, so feel free to experiment if you enjoy bolder flavors. Pumpkin pie spice, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, paprika, chili powder for savory oats, or even cayenne can add variety.
You can also mix in vanilla extract, cocoa powder, chia seeds, coconut flakes, or peanut powder. Maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey add sweetness if desired. A few simple additions can easily turn basic oatmeal into something much more flavorful.
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
