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You are here: Home / Food / Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

by Stacy  58 Comments

Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

I love having this Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal ready for me when I wake up! Just prep it all the night before and let it cook overnight! Wake up to a delicious, hearty breakfast.

This is a recipe I thought I would NEVER post on here. Why? Well, because I tried this method several times for Overnight Oatmeal and every time we barely made it through breakfast. In fact, once we ended up eating cereal because the oatmeal was just SO NASTY. Gag attack. It was like glue. You couldn’t fling that stuff off your spoon if you wanted – sorta like trying to get dried boogers off the wall – but, I digress.

I even had a conversation with The Poorganic Life about how we both thought that Overnight Oatmeal was one of the most disgusting dishes ever invented. EVER.

Not only was it completely nasty, but cleaning the crock after breakfast would make a grown man cry for his mommy. Yes, you could use a liner…but I use my crock pot so often that it would be silly for me to invest in liners – I’d have to quit buying toilet paper to afford them.

I love having this Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal ready for me when I wake up! Just prep it all the night before and let it cook overnight! Wake up to a delicious, hearty breakfast.

But then, my friends, I found a different way for cooking oats in the crock pot. It involves using a water bath instead of cooking the oats directly in the crock pot. I found the idea over at Mommy’s Kitchen and I decided to try it for myself using the ingredients I wanted to use.

I found a bowl that fit down inside my largest crock – a 6 quart. The bowl was a 6 cup bowl and it worked perfectly. A little of the liquid dribbled over the side, and you can see that down in the water – but it was a miniscule amount, so I will use this same bowl next time.

You’ll fill the crock with water to about ¾ the way up the side of your nested bowl. Then you put the lid on, walk away, and your breakfast will be ready in 8 hours. Nice!

I love having this Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal ready for me when I wake up! Just prep it all the night before and let it cook overnight! Wake up to a delicious, hearty breakfast.

Please make sure to use steel cut oats for this recipe. Any other type of oat will result in more glue-like oatmeal. And only Willy Olsen likes eating glue.

We like Bob’s Red Mill oats, but I also buy steel cut oats in bulk at a local store. Steel cut oats are whole grain oat groats which have been cut into pieces.

I love having this Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal ready for me when I wake up! Just prep it all the night before and let it cook overnight! Wake up to a delicious, hearty breakfast.

We really enjoyed this for breakfast. I put it in to cook at 10:50pm (I still can’t believe I was up that late…oh wait, I have kids – that’s why) and it was ready at 6:50 in the morning.

But guess what? We weren’t ready to eat. Actually, I was the only one awake at 6:50 on Sunday morning – I like getting up early when I am able. So, I turned the crock OFF and left the oats in there for another hour until we ate.

I served each bowl with individual toppings instead of stirring them in.  We each like different stuff on top – Barry likes walnuts and pecans on his oatmeal, and he used honey. I like peanut butter instead of nuts and I use maple syrup to sweeten.

The texture of this oatmeal is more like traditional cooked old fashioned oats on the stovetop. I normally like the bite of steel cut oats, but I did like this dish even though there wasn’t any “bite” left after 8 hours.

Crock Pot Steel Cut Oats

  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 3 ½ cups water
  • 1 cup whole milk or almond milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Toppings: peanut butter, nuts, honey, maple syrup, dried fruit, fresh fruit
  1. Find a BAKING DISH that is small enough to nestle down inside of your crock pot so that you can create a water-bath.
  2. Grease dish.
  3. Combine oats, water, milk, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in dish. Stir.
  4. Place down inside crock.
  5. Fill crock with water until water comes up the side of the nestled bowl until it’s ¾  the way up the dish (see photo above for example).
  6. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  7. Add butter and let melt. Stir.
  8. Add remaining toppings now or serve by individual bowl.

Yield: 4-5 servings

I love having this Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal ready for me when I wake up! Just prep it all the night before and let it cook overnight! Wake up to a delicious, hearty breakfast.

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About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. Valerie Hale says

    August 24, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Hi Stacy. The equivalent of your oats in Ireland or the UK would be Pinhead Oatmeal. Hope this helps your readers this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Love your website especially the Crock recipes and Essential Oil formulas. Valerie

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      August 26, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Thank you so much for that information! 🙂

      Reply
  2. ChefMomB says

    June 19, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Could I add protein powder to this? Would that make it an E, S, or what? Also, could I have with pecans on top? New to THM! (Don’t even have my book yet!)

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      June 25, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      All that depends on what kind and how much you use.

      Reply
      • Janice says

        January 13, 2016 at 10:35 am

        I thought oatmeal was always an E

        Reply
  3. Misty says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I make mine in the crock all the time. But I do it during the day for 3 hours in high. I also add a bit of extra liquid then after 3 hours turn it off and throw in some skinny b mix I make myself. The chia in it absorbs the extra water and somehow makes cleaning the crockpot easier. Then I package it up and freeze it for breakfast all week. I do put in a small pat of butter and some salt. Then I put whatever topping I want that day when I reheat it. It took me awhile to get this just how I like it. But it works for me.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 14, 2014 at 3:54 pm

      I just love chia!

      Reply
  4. Judie says

    November 26, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Anyone tried leaving the crockpot on warm instead of low? What are the results?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 26, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      I have not tried this.

      Reply
  5. patra says

    November 11, 2013 at 2:35 am

    why water bath

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 11, 2013 at 8:49 am

      Keeps it from sticking to the crock and getting all pasty.

      Reply
  6. Tammy says

    October 28, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    This looks great and I cant wait to try it . . . I am thinking breakfast in the morning 🙂 I am new to THM so hopefully this is not a silly question….if I want to keep the butter would that make it an S instead of an E?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:15 am

      Crossover. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ruffian says

    October 25, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Tried this recipe last night and cut the amounts in half as it’s just me. Worked beautifully…a definite keeper!! I added a T of ‘good’ peanut butter and half a sliced banana. Awesome.

    Reply
  8. Neal Smith says

    October 12, 2013 at 7:21 am

    Because I live alone, I cut the ingredients in half. I was worried that I should adjust the cooking time somehow, but at 8 hours, the resulting oats came out great. Thanks for enduring the process of trial and error that led to this fine recipe!

    Reply
  9. Carolyn Weitzel Glaser says

    October 6, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    I do steel cut oats in my mini slow cooker, first spraying it heavily with butter flavored cooking spray. I let it cook on low overnight (almost 9 hours) and there is a bit of crusting, which adds to the texture nicely, but the crock is not hard to clean at all. I just run hot water and dish soap into it and let it soak for 1/2 hr. or so. There are only the 2 of us, so I cut recipes in half (1/2 cup oats to 2 cups milk or milk substitute, 1/2 T. butter, 1 T. brown sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon and 1/8 t. nutmeg). Sometimes I add a small cut-up apple or banana. Always comes out good!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 7, 2013 at 9:58 pm

      I just love apple in my oats!

      Reply
    • Me says

      December 19, 2013 at 4:09 am

      I was wondering if greasing the pan with butter is what would help. I also wonder if the crock pot isn’t full when cooked if it effects it. I’m wanting a small crock just for this. I’m making a double batch because a full crock cooks better. but I’d rather cook a smaller batch. maybe 1.5 quarts for my family currently. I do not have a dish to do this so I’m doing directly in the pot now. If it is bad I will do this. Thank you for the food for thought. Either way… I’m giving your ingredients a go.

      Reply
  10. WhatsWithDiane says

    October 2, 2013 at 11:35 am

    You are correct, this is the only acceptable slow cooker oatmeal recipe that has worked for me. Thanks for sharing. It was delicious and easy!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 2, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

      Reply
  11. Sydney says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks for this. I make steel cut oats in the crock pot but they are done in 2 hours. That works if I get up on Sunday morning early but this method will work much better on busy school days.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      August 15, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      I do that with some things on the weekend too. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Michelle says

    August 14, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    THANK YOU for posting this method! I have wanted to do this but I was wondering about how it would turn out! You have probably saved me one or two attempts by posting this! 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      August 15, 2013 at 7:20 am

      I hope it works out for ya – keep me posted. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Cheryl says

    May 5, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    My hubby loves steel cut oats, but I never enjoyed the texture when made on the stovetop. Made these last night in the crock pot with the water bath. Delicious! Very smooth and creamy. I am a fan! Finally, oatmeal I like and don’t have to smother with sugar! Maybe too creamy for some, but I loved it! Next time we will try 7 hours on low and see if they are a bit less creamy. My crock switches to keep warm automatically after the cooking time is done… love that feature! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 5, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Hooray!!! 🙂 I love oatmeal!

      Reply
  14. Katie says

    March 16, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Okay, I won’t give up. I put the crock pot on (without a water bath) and expected to have this great oatmeal in the morning. Yes, gummy texture. It was nasty. I’ll try the water bath this time and let you know how it goes. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      March 16, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      Yep – yuck. We like the water bath much better!

      Reply
  15. Carol says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    Isn’t that using a lot of electricity?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Using the crock pot? No. They use less energy than your stove or oven. 🙂
      http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/try-using-a-crock-pot-for-energy-efficient-cooking.htm

      Reply
  16. OrganisedPauper says

    January 4, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Does steel cut oats look like this?

    http://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/coarse-oatmeal-infinity-foods-500g.html

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Yes! You got it! 🙂

      Reply
      • OrganisedPauper says

        January 4, 2013 at 4:37 pm

        Yay! I’ve been wondering what they were for ages. 🙂

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          January 4, 2013 at 5:44 pm

          Well now we’ve all learned something! 🙂

          Reply
  17. OrganisedPauper says

    January 4, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I don’t suppose anyone knows what the equivalent of steel cut oats is in the UK? I just can’t figure out what they would be over here.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm

      They’re also called Irish Oatmeal…do you have that?

      Reply
      • OrganisedPauper says

        January 4, 2013 at 3:33 pm

        Thanks, but no we don’t have Irish Oatmeal. I wonder if it’s coarse oatmeal?

        Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2013 at 1:11 am

      They are the same as cut up oat groats. Don’t know if you have those there.

      Reply
  18. Becky says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:48 am

    i have been using this method for several years and love it. I even use the whole oat groats that i get from my grain co-op. They are cheaper by the pound than steel cut oats and the resulting oatmeal has a bit of a ‘bite’ to it, since the grains are bigger to start with. 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm

      Awesome! I have oat groats in the pantry!

      Reply
  19. amy B says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:05 am

    I must be strange because I like steel cut oats cooked in the crock-pot (my husband feels like you do though!). I can’t wait to try it this way too. Great idea, thanks for sharing it 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      Maybe it will mean you can both eat the same dish! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Diana says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:02 am

    Stacy this sounds great, we really like steel cut oats…now to find a bowl that fits my crock pot– the search is on! Another slightly lazier method of making steel cut oats is as follows (what I usually do):

    THE NIGHT BEFORE:
    ~Measure out desired amount of steel cut oats and add water at a 4:1 ratio (ie 1 cup oats, 4 cups water)
    ~Place oats and water in high sided pot with a lid on and turn stove to high heat
    ~Allow oats to boil rapidly for 3 min (but not boil over…careful with this one)
    Then turn off burner and do not, I repeat DO NOT (under penalty of going without breakfast) lift the lid until morning

    THE NEXT MORNING:
    ~Just give the oats a stir and reheat gently in the pot.

    Certainly not as glamorous as a crock pot, but let’s say if you didn’t have a crock pot and you wanted to eat steel cut oats this could work. But really it would be INSANE of you not to have a crock pot because how will you CROCK ON! with Stacy without a crock pot?!? So if you don’t have a crock pot, just ignore this recipe and go out and buy one right now and while you’re at it pick up a copy of CROCK ON! would ya!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      Well dude…how smart is THAT?!

      Reply
  21. Cindy Alewine says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:51 am

    What is the difference between steel cut oats and old-fashioned oats? Also, is oatmeal better in the crockpot than on the stove?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:57 am

      Steel cut oats are just whole grain oat groats that are cut into pieces. Rolled oats are oat groats extracted from the hard outer husk and rolled flat.
      As for the stovetop/crock pot question, you’ll likely get different answers from everyone. 🙂 I prefer mine baked. 🙂

      Reply
      • Cindy Alewine says

        January 4, 2013 at 9:15 am

        Oh, I see. Baked? I’ll have to check that out. That sounds better than all of it lol

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          January 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm

          Yep – my favorite!

          Reply
      • Jonni says

        January 4, 2013 at 11:20 pm

        I love your baked oatmeal recipe. Make all the time…

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          January 5, 2013 at 11:18 am

          Me too! 🙂

          Reply
  22. Rachel @ day2day joys says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Yum!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:43 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  23. Missy says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:56 am

    What a timely post….I litterally just tried Crockpot oatmeal this morning for the first time. Apples, brown sugar, old fashioned oats & water was the recipe. Cooked 6 1/2 hours. I like the apple taste but just can’t get the glue/mush texture down! I am so trying it with steel cut oats! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:44 am

      Yep – made that mistake too. You could always use it to put up wallpaper. 😉

      Reply
  24. Gilly says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Could you use 1% milk instead? I’m on weight watchers and whole milk would be a lot of points!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:44 am

      Sure! It might cut down on the creaminess. 🙂 We’re a full fat household.

      Reply
  25. Cindy says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:22 am

    OK, so now I’m going to order some steel cut oats the next time the bulk club orders. You talked me into it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 4, 2013 at 7:38 am

      I have succeeded! *insert evil laugh here*

      Reply


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