Slow cooker maple cinnamon oatmeal is perfect for busy mornings! Take a few minutes to prep the night before and a creamy, rich, flavorful oatmeal is waiting for you in the morning!
This recipe first appeared on Real Housemoms, where I am a contributor.
During back to school season, when we’re adjusting to a new morning schedule after summertime, I love having some make-ahead breakfasts that are ready to go for us.
(Though honestly, I love that year round.)
Every single week we have at least a couple flavors of overnight oatmeal jars and I’ve always got a freezer full of muffins. Almond butter zucchini muffins and healthy peanut butter and jelly muffins are current favorites for both of my kids - for school lunch, too.
And slow cooker oatmeal is a newer favorite in our house!
I started making it last year and fell in love, so now it’s on the regular rotation. ❤️
I love that it cooks overnight, so I just have to take 5 minutes to prep it before I go to bed and then we have a wonderful, delicious hot breakfast waiting downstairs for us when we wake up.
Also, it's just 5 ingredients!
And this slow cooker maple cinnamon steel cut oatmeal is one of our favorite flavors. The sweet, deep, rich maple syrup and warm cinnamon flavors meld so well together for this breakfast.
Tons of great, cozy fall flavors here!
And your house will smell divine! Everyone will want to hop right out of bed and come get a bowl of this slow cooker maple cinnamon oatmeal.
It’s the perfect amount of sweet and it’s also super filling. Steel cut oats are just so hearty and perfect for keeping you full until lunch.
And of course you can add some fun toppings!
Topping Ideas:
- An extra dash of cinnamon
- A sprinkle of chia seeds for some extra nutrition
- A drizzle of maple syrup
- Fresh fruit - bananas are especially delicious but any berry would be great too
- A dollop of peanut butter or almond butter
- Make it decadent with a few chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
Lots of options and so much deliciousness!
So when you know you’ve got a crazy week coming up, be sure to put this slow cooker maple cinnamon steel cut oatmeal on your menu.
You’ll wake up happy and ready to face the day!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Slow cooker maple cinnamon oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups steel cut oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 cups skim milk (or milk of choice, see notes)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon and salt together until well combined. Add to the insert of your slow cooker.
- In the same bowl, mix the milk, maple syrup and vanilla until well combined. Pour over the oats in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- In the morning, stir well and serve with any desired toppings!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
I am excited for cooler mornings and oatmeal. This looks easy and delicious and I bet my son would love it
Kathryn
I'm so with you Deborah! I hope you try it - my kiddos both love this, and so do my husband and I!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I'm a crazy bag lady too, Kathryn! I remember being M's age and having a little purse I was obsessed with. It's so cute that you two went shopping for one! LOVE IT! Speaking of love - this oatmeal! ALL THE YES! Love the fall flavors and I love that it's super easy to make! I mean, it basically makes itself right?! Gotta love the slow cooker! Can't wait to try this one! Pinned! Cheers!
Kathryn
It does make itself! Thanks my friend! 😊
Marisa
Pinned! This is giving me ALL the fall feels!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Marisa! 😊
Brynn at The Domestic Dietitian
This sounds perfect for hectic back to school mornings! My two little ones are both in preschool this year and last week was our first week, prepped meals would have really helped me out. Saving this for next week.
Kathryn
Thanks Brynn! It really does help our mornings run more smoothly. Good luck getting adjusted to the new schedule!
Karly
I don't know if I've ever said this before- but this oatmeal is mouthwatering. This is a breakfast that would actually get me out of bed in the morning!
Kathryn
Thanks Karly! It's a great one to wake up to - smells so yummy!
Luci's Morsels
This looks so tasty! Love the idea of bananas with a maple and cinnamon oatmeal, such a delicious combination!
Kathryn
Thanks Luci! It really is a yummy combo! 😊
Jessica
This looks delicious! What size slow cooker should I use?
Kathryn
Hi Jessica! I use a 6.5-quart slow cooker, but I think you would still be fine with a slightly smaller one for this recipe. Hope you give it a try!
CakePants
This looks so cozy and fragrant! I have to admit, I was turned off of maple-flavored oatmeal early in life, since the huge variety boxes of instant oatmeal always seemed to have a disproportionately high number of maple packets, but I've never made homemade maple oatmeal. I'll have to give this a try sometime soon!
Kathryn
I hated ALL oatmeal because I'd only ever had those packets. So glad I discovered the real, from scratch oatmeal. You should definitely give this a try and be a convert like me! 😊