I love steel cut oats because they have a chewier texture and nuttier flavor than normal rolled oats. Unfortunately, they aren’t a quick breakfast solution because they take longer to cook. But, that’s the beauty of this overnight option! You can put all the ingredients in your slow cooker Sunday night and wake up Monday morning with a delicious smelling kitchen and oatmeal for the week! On Sunday evenings, I measure out the ingredients and cut up either some bananas or apples.Then, put everything in the slower cooker, add milk and water, and 8 hours later you have perfectly cooked steel cut oats!I’ll scoop some out for that morning and then put the rest in individual sized containers so they are ready to grab and reheat for the next few days.

Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Serves: 8

• 2 cups steel cut oats
• 2-3 sliced bananas or diced apples (you can leave the apple peels on)
• ½ cup ground flaxseed (optional, but SO good for you!)
• ¼ cup brown sugar*
• 2-4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups milk
• 4 cups water
• Optional toppings: chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins, almond butter

Mix together all of the dry ingredients first. Then, add the milk and water and stir. Turn the slow cooker on low and cook for 7 to 8 hours. Once it’s done, give it a good stir so that it’s evenly mixed. (If you make this during the day, you can stir once or twice part way through, but it’s not necessary.)

Serve with your favorite toppings and store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat in the microwave as is or with a splash of milk.

*When making the oatmeal with bananas, I only use 1/4 brown sugar because the bananas will add their own sweetness. With apples, I increase the brown sugar to closer to 1/3 cup. Just depends on how sweet you like your oatmeal. You can always add more when it’s done if it’s not sweet enough.

Maple Cinnamon version: If I do not have fruit on hand, I’ll use the same recipe above, but add a 1/2 cup of maple syrup instead of the brown sugar and add a heaping Tablespoon of cinnamon.

Carrot Cake version (similar to my stove-top recipe for carrot cake oatmeal): Instead of using bananas or apples, add 2-3 grated carrots, ½ cup shredded coconut, and ½ cup raisins (optional). I’ve used a cheese grater for the carrots or pulsed them in my food processer a few times > a much quicker option!