Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal

I have been wanting to try overnight oatmeal in the crock pot for quite some time now.

Oatmeal is such an easy breakfast to whip up, and there are so many different combinations and flavors that work well in it.

It is an easy dish to make in the mornings, but for this recipe I wanted to use steel-cut oats (also referred to as Irish oatmeal), which usually requires a longer cook time. The solution? Throw it all in a slow cooker and have it cooked and ready for you when you wake up in the morning!

Ingredients

1 apple, cored and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (peel first, if desired)

3/4 cup milk (I used fat-free)

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup uncooked steel-cut oats

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/2 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces (optional)

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 Tbsp. chia seeds

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

prep time: 10 minutes

cook time: 6 hours in the slow cooker.

servings: 2-3

 Directions

1. Spray crock pot with cooking spray.

2. Add all ingredients except for raisins (optional) to slow cooker.

3. Stir, cover, and cook on low for approximately 6 hours.

4. Spoon oatmeal into bowls, then add raisins, nuts, honey, or maple syrup if desired.

5. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

*This recipe can easily be doubled by using 2 apples, 1 1/2 cups milk, etc.  Make sure to add an hour of cook time.

*To reheat single servings:

Microwave 1 cup cooked oatmeal with 1/3 cup milk for 1 minute. Stir, and continue cooking another minute, or until hot.

Breakdown

Core and cut apple into 1/2 inch cubes.

You can choose to peel the apple first, but it doesn’t bother me to leave it on.

 Measure out all remaining ingredients.

 Don’t worry… it won’t be the end of the world if anything isn’t exact.

Add all ingredients except for raisins (optional) to slow cooker.

Stir, cover and cook on low for approximately 6 hours.

In the morning, oatmeal will form a bit of a top crust.  Make sure to stir well before serving.

Spoon oatmeal into bowls, then add raisins, nuts, honey, or maple syrup if desired.

Enjoy and keep the leftovers in the refrigerator…

if there are any!