Apple season is one of my favorite produce seasons and one of my favorite snacks. Try this slow cooked honeycrisp apple oatmeal that you are going to love for a warm and satisfying breakfast on chilly fall mornings. The best part about all of this though, is my incredible tip for getting creamy oats that won’t burn or stick to your slow cooker.
Have you tried cooking steel cut oats in your slow cooker yet?
Today I wanted to share some tips for making the perfect overnight crock pot apple cinnamon oatmeal for the perfect fall breakfast for entertaining or just for a healthy way to start your day.
I love steel cut oatmeal, but it takes a LONG time to create steel cut oats. Not only that, oatmeal requires constant stirring over medium heat to achieve their best flavor and have a tendency to burn when not monitored.
Today I wanted to share some tips for making steel cut oatmeal in your slow cooker and the one SHOCKING tip for creamier slow cooked oats.
I promise, it’s a game changer.
How to Make Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal
What’s the Difference Between Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats?
Rolled oats and steel cut oats come from the exact same whole cereal grain. The difference is really in how they are processed.
In whole form, they are known as “groats” and both types of oats are separated from their hard outer “hull” for our store shelves.
Here’s where those differences between the two types of oats really come into play. The rolled oats are steamed, to prevent cracking, and then they are rolled through the mill to be flattened.
Steel cut oats are, basically, chopped into pieces rather than going through that process of being flattened.
Are Steel Cut Oats Gluten-Free?
Many of our readers are pursuing that gluten-free life so I’m thrilled to tell you that steel cut oats ARE gluten-free…well, pretty much!
If you are celiac, oats can be processed in factories that are also processing wheat, barley, and rye.
If you are celiac, look for steel cut oatmeal that clearly discloses that on the label to be sure that you are not exposed to any of these allergy triggering ingredients.
Do Steel Cut Oats and Rolled Oats Have the Same Nutritional Value?
Did you guys know that I went to school for dietetics?
Questions like this are my love language.
Often, when it comes to discussing processed foods, we immediately have a knee-jerk reaction that it isn’t good for you.
Can we all blame the Whole30 and Paleo movement for this? Hahaha!
Seriously, in MOST cases, processing means that the food has lost its nutritional value, but that is not the case when it comes to steel cut oats and rolled oats.
In fact, steel cut oats, rolled oats, and quick oats all have the SAME nutritional value.
I do find that steel cut holds up better in an overnight dish, but am thankful quick oats offers the same benefits if I need a nutritious breakfast or lunch.
What Types of Apples Should I Use For Overnight Oatmeal?
Often when it comes to baking, I reach for a Granny Smith apple.
When researching different varieties of apples that are best to bake with, I discovered that the Honeycrisp Apple and the McIntosh apple were both great varieties to choose when baking.
How Do I Prevent My Slow Cooker Oatmeal From Getting Burnt or Overcooked?
I admit that I have never had good success with overnight oats.
The oats were usually burnt or overcooked and I always had a hard time getting my slow cooker clean after a batch.
That is why I am so excited to share with you this easy technique to create a double boiler right in your slow cooker:
- Find a oven-proof dish that you can place inside of your slow cooker and spray it well with a little cooking spray.
- Place your oatmeal ingredients right inside of the dish and then, using a liquid measuring cup, pour water around the dish to create a water bath. It doesn’t need to be really full, just an inch or so.
- Set your slow cooker to LOW and you will have perfectly creamy oatmeal with no burnt spots every single time.
Once you try this tip, you won’t make your oatmeal ANY OTHER WAY.
I promise you that you will will yield a creamy pot of oats every time.
How Can I Prepare This Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal in My Instant Pot Instead?
I would recommend going to this recipe for details on making steel cut oats in your pressure cooker. I haven’t tested this one out yet, but I’m looking forward to giving it a try!
- 1 cup steel cut oats (NO substitutions)
- 3 1/2 cups milk (or milk substitute)
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or brush with melted coconut oil.
- Place the steel cut oats, milk, honeycrisp apple, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract into a slow cooker, and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar.
- Cover the cooker, set to Low, and allow to cook 6 to 7 hours (for firm oats) or 8 hours (for softer texture).
- Top with a little extra brown sugar, milk, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
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Looking for more great breakfast ideas? Check out these recipes to inspire your next morning meal!
chicken pesto frittata recipe (so good to make ahead for a big crowd)
sausage & vegetable frittata( great for anyone on a more restricted diet)
meal prep these freezer breakfast sandwiches
make these make-ahead smoothie packets for your freezer
make these breakfast burritos for your freezer
don’t want a cook? no biggie! try this hack for an easy breakfast bar
or just bake a roll of cinnamon rolls and shape into a christmas tree. done.
What are your favorite holiday breakfasts to share with loved ones?
