Creamy CrockPot Apple Oatmeal


photo updated 2/2016 via @mcgphoto via deposit photos


Day 38.


Oatmeal! It's good for you, tastes yummy, and is super duper easy to make in the slow cooker. 

While you are sleeping!

 I was a bit over-zealous the last time I tried to make a crockpot breakfast, so I stuck to easy, simple and healthy with this recipe.


This doesn't taste like dirt. I promise.





The Ingredients:


1 cup of rolled oats (I use certified gluten free)
2 cups of milk (any variety is just fine)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla (I have no idea where my vanilla went in that picture)
pinch of salt
1 chopped apple (there are 2 pictured, but after chopping up the green one I thought it was plenty of apple. I was right.)


The Directions:

--add oats, chopped apple and milk to stoneware
--put in brown sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt
--mix with finger. or a spoon. whatever.

--cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 2-3.
--check consistency of oats--some people like to chew, some people don't.
--garnish with some cinnamon


I cooked this batch on high for 1:15 hrs. It was creamy and milky; the kids and I really enjoyed it and ate it all up ourselves. 

I would probably double or at least increase the ingredients by 50% next time--especially if Adam was home.


----> HEY STEPH, how does this work so I have creamy apple oatmeal in the morning?

This is what I do. I make everything the night before, and put it in a tupperware. 

In the morning I get up at about 5, so then I dump it into my little crock while I get my work done in the morning, work out, shower, etc. 

By the time I'm ready to eat and the kids are awake for the day, the oatmeal is already ready already.

I don't recommend using a Lamp Timer -- I know a lot of people do use those, but the crockpot manufacturers and the FDA all stick by the assertion that food needs to actively be cooking or cooling, not just sitting around at room-temp.

I'm sorry. I don't make the rules, I just pass them along! :-)


if you're looking for a new slow cooker, these are the ones that I recommend.

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Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at February 07, 2008

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What they say about this article

  1. Those big chucks of apples look soooo good!!!

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  2. Anonymous2/07/2008

    This looks so good. Did you peel the apple ( I think not ).

    Thanks for sharing.


    MJ

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  3. thanks, jennwa.
    mj, I didn't. I didn't even think to do it--I am a very lazy cook. ;-)

    xox
    steph

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  4. Anonymous2/07/2008

    Regarding Beef Broth... At Trader Joe's it is probably in a carboard carton ( similar to soy milk ). At a regular store it is with the soups ( Campbell's, Swanson, College Inn all make chicken and beef broths ). There are also cubes of bullion ( I don't suggest ).


    MJ

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  5. this looks great! think i could make it today to use for tomorrow's breakfast?

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  6. Wow that looks good, I'm hungry!

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  7. This looks fantastic! I'm definitely trying this one. Plus, I'm racking my brain to think of a breakfast slow-cooker recipe. I don't think I've ever tried one, except for my Cheesy Potatoes. Maybe I'll repost it. Thanks for all the great recipes (and photos too!).

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  8. I LOVE this! I do a lot of oatmeal in the crock pot -- especially now that we have Bob's GF oats.

    Is it OK if I link your blog to my GF blog?

    Ginger - gfingf.blogspot.com

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  9. I completely missed the whole theme memo...but oatmeal in a crockpot sounds so appealing. My kids eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast and LOVE apples. We'll be trying this recipe. Thanks!

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  10. I need to get back to my healthy eating habits... and that includes eating a lot of oatmeal. And fruit. And yogurt... I love the stuff!

    Yours sounds very easy and to have it hot like that in the morning? heavenly :-)

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  11. If you do a search for Overnight Oatmeal and Alton Brown. You will find a really good recipe. This is my family's favorite Oatmeal recipe.
    The only way they will eat it now. I make it before bed and wake up to yummy warm Oatmeal-ness!

    Ummmmm....oatmeal

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  12. that sounds pretty good.
    But I think I may have to try the ribs. My husband would love that. Me? I don't like eating off a bone.

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  13. this looks really good, I think I'd put some butter on top...

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  14. That looks delish! But I just gotta ask, Steph. Is it really worth all the time awaitin'? I made home made oatmeal this morning in about 3 minutes. If I'd planned ahead, I could have rehydrated some dry apples and tossed them in for an extra 5 minutes too. I'm not hatin'...I love you for this. But sometimes it seems impractical? In-practical? Un-practical? Please tell me I'm wrong. ;) I'm not trying to be a meanie. Go forth and crock. =)

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  15. Amie, that's a totally valid point. Pretty much anything can be cooked faster and probably more efficiently in the microwave, stovetop or oven. It's all about the crock love for me. ;-0
    On this particular day, I wasn't in a hurry to have breakfast ready. I get up to work between 4 or 5, so I put this on to have breakfast ready when the kids got up. It smelled yummy, too!
    xxo
    steph

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  16. Anonymous2/08/2008

    I just had to tell you that I made this oatmeal THIS MORNING. Last night I preped the ingredients, realizing that I cannot keep milk in a crock-pot overnight...SO, I kindly asked my dh to get up at 4am to add the wet ingredients (I put the milk, cut up apples, and vanilla in a pitcher in the fridge for him) so it would be ready by 6am to eat.
    Must say that this was very yummy. I added some cinnamon and it was delish.

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  17. I'm so glad that it worked out for you, kj!

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  18. One of the nice things about getting up at 5am to work is that I got to try this out this morning. I think I would have liked it a wee bit better if I'd peeled the apples but methinks the fiber is probably good for us all, so I'll say it was a choice.

    I also used 2 apples because I like to live dangerously. It was very applely. Shut up, it's a word. To compensate I threw in an extra handful of oats (maybe a quarter cup?). I only had red apples but I'm betting your green was better. Tart would have been nice against all that sweet.

    Overall? I approve and will likely make this again. Because hey, if I can throw stuff in a pot and walk away (rather than spend three minutes stirring all the darn time) I'll take it. Weeee!

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  19. Oh total yum, I gotta try this! I also have to spend some major time wandering around your site. I love to crock pot - but a whole year. Wow, I am impressed!

    Cheers,

    Kiy

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  20. Anonymous5/14/2008

    Hi Steph,

    The stuffed peppers were a success last night (and not greasy). I currently have your hot and sour soup simmering on low. Since I have some soy milk that needs to be used, I was thinking of making this GF oatmeal. I only have a standard large round crockpot. Should I double the recipe since I don't have a stoneware dish to place inside either? Any other advice is appreciated.

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  21. Hi~M! I made this oatmeal in a 6qt oval, so as long as you are around to monitor it, there shouldn't be an issue of it cooking too quickly and burning. it makes a delicious creamy oatmeal!

    I'm SO glad the peppers were a hit!
    xox
    steph

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  22. found your site from In The Potter's Hands...don't use my crock often, but have used it TWICE in three days!

    here's my oatmeal recipe:
    1 C steel cut
    3 C skim mild
    one granny smith apple (with skin)
    dash cinnamon
    maple flavoring
    sugar in the raw
    molasses (GREAT iron source, ladies!)

    1st hour high, 4 hours low.

    added more molasses after cooking since I love the sweetness and need the extra iron this week.

    Next time:
    4 cups of liquid (2 water & 2 milk/soy milk)
    more molasses
    more fruits...cranberries maybe.

    will make much more and put in the fridge next time for many days. only two meals out of my batch...it's GREAT!

    hope my second meal makes it till morning ;)

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  23. I'm so excited to try this. I get up at 6 and leave for work at 7:15 but the kids (and therefore hubby) don't wake up until 8. I'm planning to toss this in the crock as I walk out the door so the family can wake up to a warm breakfast and the hubby can have a morning "off" from the usual stress of cooking and serving breakfast to a hungry 2 yo and grouchy 3 yo. Thanks!

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  24. Just a followup: it worked great! I'm lazy in the AM and didn't have time to do the apple so it was just 2 cups oats (traditional rolled), 2 cups water and about 1.5 cups milk with some salt and spices. I cooked it in my little 3 qt (?) crock so it was about 2/3 full. It was apparently still a little soupy when he got to it but he took the lid off as he got out bowls and the brown sugar, raisins, etc for the oatmeal bar we set up and by then it was perfect. Thanks!

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  25. yay, Julie! Thank you for the follow-up!
    xoxo
    steph

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  26. Try using steel cut oats with this. You have never had truly good oatmeal until you have had these. The ratio of liquid to oats is 4:1. I use 3 cups water, 1 cup milk, 1 cup oats.

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  27. Sounds tasty ... I make mine with half milk, half water ... add vanilla and almond flavoring ... and LOTS of extras (chopped apple, dried fruit - craisens and approcots, chopped peacans)

    Also, if time is a factor, make it in a rice cooker instead. I mix everything but the liquid (and that can sit in the fridge) the night before, then turn it on before I get in the shower. In my rice cooker it takes less than 30 min.

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  28. Hi CPL,
    I was in a store the other day and drawn to your book since my husband and I continue to eat out a lot and I would like to change that.
    I tried this recipe first and found that the Vanilla seemed really strong, so I think I will cut that back next time, but I think as it cooks the intensity goes away. I guess I like my oatmeal much thicker. I also added more brown sugar...YUM!!! I might try the suggestion of maple syrup...YUMMY! Thanks for creating your book! I just bought the Hamilton Beach crock with the thermometer probe, I hope that was a good choice.

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  29. Anonymous6/15/2010

    I made this with steel cut oats, soaked overnight: 1 cup of oats and 1 cup of water plus 2 TB lemon juice (to break down the phytic acid - make it more digestible). This morning I drained off the water and added 1 1/2 cups rice milk, plus the vanilla, sweetener, and pinch of salt. (You could do 1 1/2 - 2 cups milk.) It took about 1 hour 15 minutes, and then we stirred applesauce in our bowls...YUM!

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  30. It's great!! I love this, simple? Yes! Yes, you can make it on the stove...but this is more fun!

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  31. I used steel cut oats and only water (added milk after because I do soy, hubby does 2%, and 1 yo takes whole) i put it on low for about 6 hours and then had it on warm for like 1 or 2 hours. Next time I will use better apples (maybe granny smith) mine were cameo (?) and they were on their way out, but they added good texture, just didn't taste like apples... Thanks for the recipe Steph! I got a new 1.5 quart crock this week and it is perfect for breakfast for the two (and a half) of us... Trying the "Not Kitchen Sink" (sorry can't remember the real name) casserole tomorrow with some steak that I accidentally over seasoned with soy sauce (why didn't I think of how salty it was when I tried to deglaze the pan with it lol)... It tasted like beef jerky! adding in some arugula and some pre sauteed thinly sliced fingerling potatoes and a little bit of cheese (and no additional salt lol)... it should be yummy...

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  32. I'm making this right now!! I changed it a little bit and put roughly:
    2 cups oats
    2 cups almond milk
    1 tbsp vanilla extract
    2 tbsp brown sugar
    1 cut up apple
    1 cut up banana

    So far the vanilla smells the most prominent but the mix looks delicious!

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  33. OK, verdict: I ate this too fast to take pictures. No joke! It was so good! I added about a cup more oats though as the cooking went on and only needed to cook it for about an hour. The bananas were a tasty touch. My boyfriend liked them but ended up adding some milk to his. Guess we like our oatmeals different :D He said it was really tasty, though. We'll be making this again!!

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  34. this looks delicious! I was wondering if i could make the oatmeal batch beforehand(like a day before) and cook it later? I'm not sure if that would work.. Do you think it would?? Thanks!

    p.s. Wow im the second person to post in 2011 :D

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  35. Alicia Cross {sassyberry at juno dot com}4/15/2011

    We just put this in the crock (at 10:30pm) for brunch tomorrow. I quadrupled your recipe; to feed ten. (Also, we are having blueberry pancakes and banana muffins.)

    Crossing my fingers! :D

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  36. Assembling the ingredients right now! Can't wait for it to be done! Just came across this site a few weeks ago and have committed to using my crocks at least once a week. :-)

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  37. Hi Steph :) First of all...THANK YOU for this amazing blog! I have a question for you...I would like to make this oatmeal for my weekly "moms group" meeting at our church...tomorrow. This seems like a pretty small recipe. I need to feed around 10 ladies. Do you know how much I would need to double/tripple etc to get enough? Also, all I have is the larger size crock pot...I think 6 quarts or larger?? Is this pot too big to make the recipe in? Thanks so much..you are an inspiration!!

    Leah :)

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  38. Still not sure if I should risk messing with the ammounts and using the big pot for tomorrow, but, I DID make it tonight for a late "dinner" for myself...I fed the fam frozen pizza...yea. one. of. those. days! Anyway, I used my little tiny crockpot and followed the recipe to a "T"..YUMMY! Mine looked identical to the picture and I cooked it for about the same ammount of time....I'm surprised at how quickly it cooks up! Looking forward to making it again! Thanks for the recipe!!

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  39. Hi there! Didn't know where else to turn to w/ a slow cooker question so hoping you know the answer-I found some recipes for steel cut oat oatmeal recipes. They require 6-8 hrs on low. Wondering if they would cook on high in 2-3? I think the timing of going to bed and eating breakfast won't work out for the 6-8 hr so I was hoping to try the higher temp for a brunch time breakfast. Thank you for any input you may have!

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