Crock-Pot oatmeal is a warm and comforting breakfast option that can be prepared overnight in a slow cooker. Steel-cut oats are simmered with spices and seasonings, and can be flavored with a variety of ingredients including fruit, nuts, and even savory options like broth and onions. Two methods of preparation are available, and the oatmeal should simmer for 8 to 12 hours.
Cold cereals may be a popular breakfast choice in the summer months, but the first chill of fall often brings a longing for a warm, comforting morning meal. Busy families, whether they’re home to one person or a dozen, may not always have time to turn on the stove or even wait for the microwave. One possible solution to this is Crock-Pot Oatmeal, which typically simmers steel-cut oats with desired spices and seasonings in the slow cooker overnight. The result is a breakfast cereal that’s rich, sweet or savory, and warm.
Crock-Pot oatmeal, when it needs to be ready for breakfast, needs to be made the night before. It takes a little effort to prepare, but many cooks believe the reward of a hot, nutritious meal first thing in the morning is well worth it. You can also prepare and eat Crock-Pot oatmeal often without getting bored or tired of it, because this hot cereal is a blank culinary canvas that takes on the flavors of the spices and other foods mixed with it.
There are two ways to prepare Crock-Pot oatmeal: either by pouring it directly into the slow cooker or by steaming it in a hot water bath. The first is simple enough, just pour one part steel-cut oats into your slow cooker with four parts milk or water and turn the vessel on its low setting. The second method involves adding about 2 inches (5.08 cm) of water to the bottom of the clay pot. Mix the oatmeal and desired boiling liquid in a ceramic or glass bowl. The bowl is then placed in the water in the clay pot, covered with a 0.64 cm (0.25 in) layer of paper towels, and covered with the vessel lid. This simmering method keeps the oatmeal from sticking to the sides of the slow cooker’s interior.
Once prepared, the oatmeal should simmer for 8 to 12 hours. Steel-cut oats are perfect for this because they absorb liquids very slowly. Instant oatmeal may not work for these recipes because it absorbs liquid so quickly. Oatmeal may dry out overnight, instead of turning into a creamy, filling breakfast cereal.
When it comes to flavoring Crock-Pot oatmeal, the options are virtually endless. Water or milk are the usual liquids used, but you can also experiment with herbal teas and fruit juices. Figs, dates, raisins, apple or pear slices, berries, and even nuts can go right into the slow cooker with the oatmeal to simmer overnight. Brown sugar, honey, agave nectar, and molasses can also be added to give the oatmeal a hint of sweetness if the fruit isn’t providing enough.
Those who enjoy a savory breakfast, rather than a sweet one, can still enjoy Crock-Pot Oatmeal. Chicken or beef broth can give oatmeal a meaty flavor, while onions and dried greens provide texture, extra nutrients, and flavor. Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce can also give this savory version some extra kick.
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