Slow Cooker Oatmeal

by Yvette Marquez on October 29, 2022

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This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, but all opinions are my own.

Waking up to the wonderful aroma of oatmeal steeped in cinnamon made in a slow cooker is a delicious way to help start the morning — it is luxuriously creamy and comforting.

Slow Cooker Oatmeal in cast iron bowl garnished with dried fruits and nuts.

High cholesterol runs in my family, so for me, it’s important to make smart food choices and exercise regularly. Starting the morning with a nutritious breakfast is a great way to begin.

From savory to sweet, hot to cold, oats can provide goodness any time of day.

a heart shaped with dried old fashioned oats on a black background.

This recipe is very similar to this Old-Fashioned Mexican Oatmeal (Avena) but instead of making it on the stovetop, it is made in a slow cooker.

Why I Love this Recipe

Oats are a good source of fiber, highly versatile, offering countless possibilities to get additional taste, and nutrition. This slow-cooked oatmeal is a great make-ahead breakfast or snack option to have in your fridge for up to four days.

Oats serve as a nutritious blank canvas to inspire culinary creativity — garnish with dried fruits, nuts, and chia or flax seeds for even more fiber.

oatmeal made in a slow cooker with two black cast iron bowls served with oatmeal.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Oats – When it comes to oats, I love choosing Quaker Oats. They have spent nearly 145 years helping people benefit from the taste, versatility, and nutrition of these delicious whole grains. Be sure to reach for Quaker Old Fashioned Oats to try in this recipe and many others.
Cinnamon Sticks – I typically make a tea of cinnamon when making traditional Avena, which saturates the dish with tons of flavor. In this recipe all you have to do is drop in a couple sticks to the slow cooker and walk away.
Honey – Honey brings sweetness, feel free to swap in your favorite sweetener.
Milk – I used almond milk, but feel free to use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer.
Garnishes – Garnish with dried fruits, nuts, chia, flax seeds, or other topping of your choice.

can of Quaker Oats next to a serving of oatmeal and a small pitcher filled with milk and a bowl of chia seeds with marigold flowers in the background.

How to make oatmeal in the slow cooker

My slow cooker oatmeal is so easy to make. Read the steps below and watch this video and have fun setting up an oatmeal bar for everyone to garnish their own bowl of oatmeal.

Step 1: Combine the oats, water, and cinnamon sticks in a slow cooker. Give the oats a quick stir and then cover and set to low and cook on low for eight hours.
Step 2: Go to bed or walk away and avoid stirring while it cooks.

Step 3: Do not add milk or sugar to oatmeal in the slow cooker. Instead, serve with nonfat or low-fat milk, honey to sweeten as a natural option if necessary, and garnish with dried fruits (apricots, dates, plums, and raisins).

Step 4: Sprinkle with nuts and chia or flax seeds to add crunch and even more fiber.
Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days. To reheat, either microwave in bursts or cook on the stovetop until heated through. Feel free to add more milk or water as needed to get the right consistency.

overhead shot of a breakfast bar set up with bowls of dried fruits, chopped nuts, a pitcher of milk, a tin of quaker oats, and two cast-iron bowls of slow cooker oatmeal porridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is oatmeal good for you?

A serving of oatmeal is a nutritious and versatile breakfast option.

What are some alternative sweeteners I can use?

You can mix in applesauce to sweeten your oatmeal or top each bowl with agave nectar or maple syrup.

More Oatmeal Recipes

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #muybuenocooking.