Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats with Apple and Cranberries
Creamy slow cooker steel cut oats with a fall twist. This delicious breakfast can be prepared the night before and be ready for you when you wake up in the morning!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
Ingredients
- 1 cup (175 g) Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats *do not substitute quick-cooking steel cut or rolled oats
- 1 large Granny Smith apple cored and diced
- ½ cup (50 g) fresh cranberries
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom optional
- 2 pinches kosher salt
- 4½ cups (36 oz) unsweetened almond milk plus more for serving
Optional Toppings:
- chopped or julienned apple
- almond slices/chopped almonds
- dried cranberries
- turbinado sugar or pure maple syrup
- ground cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions
- Spray a 2-quart or 4-quart slow cooker insert lightly with cooking spray. If you are using a larger volume slow cooker, be sure to double the recipe quantity as this quantity will not cook properly in a 6-quart slow cooker. Slow cookers that run HOT might cause the cooking liquid to evaporate more quickly. This may result in slightly thicker skin or crust developing on the surface of the oats (see notes below) or sides of the insert. When in doubt, reduce the cook time and adjust as necessary.
- Combine the steel cut oats, diced apple, cranberries, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and almond milk. Stir to mix thoroughly. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours (for firmer oats) to 8 hours (softer oats with the slightest chew), stirring once or twice if possible (if cooking overnight, you can skip this step). As the oats are cooking a thin, dark colored skin may form on top of the oats and they will look slightly dry at first glance. Don’t worry. Go ahead and stir the oats well until they are creamy and smooth, the skin will be absorbed and incorporated by stirring. If you prefer looser oats, stir in an additional ½ cup (120 mL) or more of almond milk. Serve hot and garnish with toppings as desired.
- Leftover oats can be stored in a container in the refrigerator. I always add a generous splash or milk or water before reheating – it loosens the oatmeal and improves the texture tremendously!
Tips for Success:
- If you’re slow cooker runs hot, this bain marie slow cooker method is worth checking out and trying!
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 285kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 217mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 16g