Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal: an effortless recipe for a healthy breakfast

Take the hassle out of your morning routine with overnight oats. Slow cooker oatmeal is a tasty, effortless breakfast you can make ahead. Unlike the jar overnight oatmeal, simply add the ingredients to your crockpot, cook them on low overnight, and in the morning, you'll have an incredible-tasting and hearty breakfast, all without having to spend extra time cooking in the kitchen before you head out for your day, as you should do with a classic or baked oatmeal recipe. Baking spices and vanilla lend a cozy warming flavor to these simple overnight oats, while bananas help make it rich and slightly sweet. For anyone with a busy lifestyle or finds themselves short on time in the mornings, overnight crockpot oatmeal is a perfect breakfast, especially during the weekend.

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Oatmeal

– The best type of oatmeal for overnight oatmeal is steel-cut oats. Don't be tempted to use anything else, and definitely don't use instant oats. They'll dissolve into nothing. For people on a gluten-free diet, you can find gluten-free steel-cut oats at many supermarkets.

– You can use any type of milk you prefer. Whole milk is ideal for a richer, heartier texture, however, skim, or non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, and cashew are great as well.

– For toppings, try banana slices, fresh berries, chopped nuts, seeds, or peanut butter.

– Don't want to wait overnight? You can cook slow cooker oatmeal for 4 hours on high in your slow cooker. Otherwise, they take about 7 to 8 hours to cook on low.

How to Store Overnight Oatmeal

Transfer slow cooker oatmeal to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. To defrost, thaw in the fridge overnight.

How to Make Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Place all of the ingredients into your slow cooker. Stir, then cover.

Cook on the low setting for 7 to 8 hours. The oats should be tender but slightly chewy. Take off the lid, stir, and serve, garnishing with your preferred toppings.

Notes

Grate the nutmeg yourself for the best flavor.

You can use vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste instead of extract for a richer vanilla flavor.